RevoluSun Blog

Solar can cut your HECO bill and keep your home running when the grid hiccups. In Hawai‘i, you’ve got three basic paths: lease, cash, or loan (plus the status quo: HECO-only). The right fit depends on your budget, credit, how long you’ll stay in your home, and how “hands-off” you want to be.

When you compare, focus on three things:

• Upfront cost
  
• Long-term savings
  
• Control & independence (ownership, batteries, maintenance)
  

Yes, there are trade-offs. The trick is choosing the balance that fits your life—not your neighbor’s.

	Smart Power Monthly (Lease)	Smart Power Prepaid (Lease)	Cash (Buy)	Loan (Buy)	HECO (No Solar)
Best For	$0-down + predictable bill	Lowest long-term rate per kWh	Max lifetime savings & control	Ownership with manageable payments	Keeping status quo
Upfront Cost	$0 down	Prepay for the term	High	Low–Medium (often ~10% down)	$0 (but bills never stop)
What You Pay	Flat monthly payment (no annual escalator)	Locked per-kWh rate for the term	No monthly payment	Fixed loan payment	Utility rate that will rise
Service & Warranty	Included for the term	Included for the term	Manufacturer warranties; service is owner’s plan	Manufacturer warranties; service is owner’s plan	N/A (no system)
Performance Guarantee	Yes (per agreement)	Yes (per agreement)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ownership	Lease; buyout windows at 7/10/15/20	Lease	You own it day one	You own it (after financing)	You own nothing
Batteries	Add now or later	Add now or later	Add now or later	Add now or later	Separate purchase
Lifetime Savings	High (below ownership paths)	High (rate-lock driven)	Highest	High (below cash)	Lowest (pays utility forever)
Effort Level	Hands-off (local team handles it)	Hands-off	Plan & budget for upkeep	Some upkeep planning	None (but no savings)

Hawai‘i Solar Options at a Glance Local note:

Salt air, sun, and wind do what they do. Leasing bundles service; ownership means you plan (and budget) for upkeep, especially near the coast.

Is Smart Power leasing Right for Me?

Smart Power Monthly keeps cash in your pocket and makes bills predictable: $0 down, flat monthly payment (no annual escalator), performance guarantee, and service/monitoring included. It’s battery-ready for outages and Time-of-Use.

Trade-off: you don’t own the asset. You can buy out later at years 7/10/15/20 if owning makes sense.

Smart Power Prepaid is for people who’d rather lock a low per-kWh rate for the term and be done with it, service and performance guarantee included.

Trade-off: you pay upfront to secure the lowest long-run energy rate.

Choose a lease if: you want $0 upfront (Monthly) or a long-term rate lock (Prepaid), steady costs, and a local team handling performance and service.

Is Paying Cash Right for Me?

Cash keeps it simple: own it outright on day one.

• No monthly payments* or financing costs
  
• Highest lifetime savings
  
• Full control over equipment, batteries, and future add-ons
  Trade-off: large upfront outlay; incentives/rules can shift—confirm current timelines with your tax pro.
  

Is a Solar Loan Right for Me?

Loans split the difference: you own the system and spread payments over time.

• Lower upfront (often ~10% down) with fixed payments
  
• Strong lifetime savings (below cash due to interest)
  
• Still flexible for batteries and expansions
  Trade-off: interest/fees; credit approval; you plan your maintenance (we can bundle service if you want fewer surprises).
  

Quick Guidance

• Pick Cash if you want the absolute best lifetime savings and you’re staying put.
  
• Pick Loan if you want ownership with predictable payments and strong savings.
  
• Pick Smart Power Monthly if you want $0 down, a flat bill, service included, and buyout options later.
  
• Pick Smart Power Prepaid if you want the lowest locked rate per kWh for the long haul.
  
• Staying HECO-only means riding future rate changes with no asset working for you.
  

We’re not a mainland call center. RevoluSun designs, permits, installs, and services systems across Hawai‘i—and we’ve helped 10,000+ local homes switch to solar + storage that fits island life.

What’s Next?

Fastest path: send one bill and your roof info. We’ll deliver a one-page side-by-side—Monthly vs. Prepaid vs. Cash vs. Loan vs. HECO—plus battery scenarios for TOU and outages.

Schedule a no-pressure consult → [Contact RevoluSun]
Prefer email first? We’ll send a simple comparison chart you can share with your spouse/CPA.

*Footnotes & Friendly Disclaimers

• Incentives, credits, and utility programs change. Confirm current federal/state benefits and any deadlines with a licensed tax professional.
  
• Performance guarantees, buyout windows, and service inclusions vary by agreement; your final contract controls.
  
• Savings depend on usage, roof/azimuth/shade, equipment, and utility rates outside our control.
  
• No monthly payment is subject to pay HECOs connection fee