RevoluSun Blog
Not All Solar Leases Are Created Equal
Kelley Burke
1 August 2025
The Solar Lease Landscape
Now that you understand what a solar lease is, it’s important to know that not all leases are the same. There are essentially two types of solar lease companies in Hawaii: locally owned companies that serve our community, and mainland corporations that view Hawaii as just another market to extract profits from.
The Two Types of Solar Lease Companies
Local Solar Companies:
- Owned and operated in Hawaii
- Decisions made locally by people who live here
- Profits stay in our community
- Customer service is face-to-face
- Accountable to neighbors, not shareholders
Mainland Corporate Companies:
- Publicly traded corporations
- Decisions made by executives beholden to Wall Street
- Profits extracted to mainland shareholders
- Customer service through call centers
- Accountable to Wall Street, not customers
What This Means for Your Lease
The type of company you choose affects everything from your monthly payment to the quality of service you receive. Local companies can offer more flexible terms and better service because they’re not beholden to quarterly profit demands from Wall Street investors.
Key Questions to Ask Any Solar Lease Provider
- Where is your company headquartered?
- Who owns the company?
- Where do the profits go?
- Do your lease rates increase over time?
- What happens if I need service or support?
