Residential solutions
Make sense of solar before you sign.
Start with your electric bill, your roof and what you want solar to change. We'll help you compare available options, understand the payments and check who would install and service the system.
Compare my options01Options to review
What each option meansfor your project.
Power purchase agreement
A provider owns the system and you pay for its electricity under the agreement. Review the starting rate, any scheduled increases and transfer terms.
Lease
A provider owns the system and you make lease payments. Compare the full payment schedule, service coverage and what happens if you sell.
Ownership
Buying the system gives you ownership. Review the purchase price, installation scope, warranties and ongoing service responsibilities.
Batteries
Choose the circuits you need during an outage, then review the battery capacity and runtime the design can support.
Financing
Compare the loan amount, fees, payment changes and total payments. Approval depends on the lender's requirements; a lower monthly payment alone does not explain the full cost.
02How we approach it
What we check before recommending a project.
- A recent bill and your usage history help show what solar could change and which utility charges may remain.
- Tell us about an existing proposal or financing decline. Available alternatives have their own provider requirements and are reviewed for your project.
- Before signing, confirm the installer, total payment terms, warranties and the company to contact for service.
03Before you commit
Know the cost, the coverage and who to call.
Ask for the full payment terms, warranty documents and named installation and service providers. Those details help you understand what you are agreeing to.
Production
Understand the estimate
Ask what the output estimate assumes about your roof, usage and utility. If a provider guarantees production, check the amount, conditions and remedy in the agreement.
Protection
Know who stands behind it
Equipment and installation coverage are separate. Review the manufacturer and installer documents for the term, exclusions, roof coverage, labor and the process for a claim.
Support
Responsibilities in writing
Know who to call for monitoring, repairs and unresolved issues. Confirm Iterum’s role and any ongoing support in your project agreement.
What goes into a comparison
How we evaluate a project
Illustrative examples, not completed projects or customer testimonials.
Residential rooftop + storage
Sacramento, CA
Example scenario: a household with a summer bill several times its winter bill, a recent time-of-use rate change, and two outages the previous year.
- What we evaluate
- Iterum would start with twelve months of billed usage and the current rate schedule, then look at roof age and orientation, evening load, and how much of the bill is actually shiftable into a battery.
- Options to compare
- Ownership with cash, financed ownership, and a third-party owned PPA — each with and without storage.
- How we weigh the options
- In a project like this the comparison considers available incentives, the full costs and how long the household intends to stay. If the roof needs work inside a few years, the honest answer may be to re-roof first and revisit.
- Why it could fit
- Storage is sized to the loads that matter during an outage rather than to the whole panel, and any incentives that apply are confirmed during analysis.
Before you sign
Questions to settle before choosing solar.
Use these questions to review a proposal or prepare for a conversation with an advisor.
What should my proposal show?
A full price and payment schedule, what will be installed, estimated output and the utility charges that may remain. It should name the installer and service providers. Ask about fees and how Iterum and the other providers are paid.
How much could I save?
Start with your utility usage, rate schedule and an actual proposal. Include the solar payments, any upfront cost and remaining utility charges in the comparison. The result depends on the property and contract terms; a savings estimate is not a guarantee.
How do I compare payment options?
Buying or financing means purchasing the system; a lease or PPA leaves it with a provider. Compare total payments, scheduled increases, service and transfer terms. If financing has been declined, tell us what you were told so we can discuss what to check next. Other options have their own provider requirements.
What if my roof needs work?
Check the roof's age, condition and sun exposure before planning the installation. If repairs or replacement are needed, include that work and its cost in the plan. Completing the roof first, or waiting on solar, may make more sense.
How much backup power will a battery provide?
That depends on the battery, its charge level and what you run. Ask which circuits are included and how long the design is expected to support them under stated conditions. A solar proposal needs a specific backup design before you can count on outage power.
What happens if I sell my home?
Read the transfer, remaining-payment and buyout terms before signing. A lender or system owner may need to approve a transfer, depending on the agreement. Ask who handles the process and what costs or requirements a future buyer would face.
Who installs the system and handles service?
The proposal should name both companies and explain Iterum's role. Confirm licensing and insurance, who obtains permits and who handles repairs. Get a service contact and a clear explanation of what happens if a problem arises.
What do the warranties cover?
Equipment, installation and any production commitment have separate terms. Read the coverage periods and exclusions, including roof damage, labor, claims and transfer requirements. Ask which company stands behind each part; the written agreements determine the coverage.
Credit concerns or a previous decline?
Read about low-credit solar options and what to do after solar financing is denied. Before signing, compare PPA, lease and loan terms.
Concerned about another application? Learn how solar credit checks work before you authorize one.
04Get started
Tell us about your property.
Start with your location and what you want to change. Have a recent electric bill and any existing solar proposal ready. Mention any financing decline and the questions you want answered. We can then discuss residential solar & storage, check availability and explain what needs to happen next.
Step 01
What are you looking into?
Choose a starting point. You don’t need a plan figured out yet.