Solar Leasing Solar Leasing

Solar Leasing in San Francisco

Name: Cobalt Power Systems Inc
Address: 2557 Wyandotte St.,, Mountain View, CA, 94043
Telephone: (650) 817-7791

Bay Area Solar Since 2003. Over 3,500 Systems Installed.

Cobalt Power Systems Inc has been installing solar systems across the Bay Area, including San Francisco, since 2003. In that time, we’ve completed more than 3,500 photovoltaic system installations and built the in-house engineering, permitting, and installation resources to manage every detail of a solar lease from the first site visit through long-term support. We’re fully bonded and insured, and we offer free consultations and design services to San Francisco property owners exploring solar leasing for residential or commercial properties.

San Francisco sits in PG&E territory, where electricity rates rank among the highest in the country. For property owners looking to reduce exposure to those rates without a large upfront purchase, a solar lease can be a practical path forward.

Call us at (650) 817-7791 to schedule a free solar leasing consultation. We can assess your property, walk you through your options, and prepare a no-obligation proposal.

How Solar Leasing Works in San Francisco

Under a solar lease agreement, the solar company owns the system and handles installation, maintenance, and repairs. In exchange, the property owner pays a fixed monthly fee for the electricity the system produces. There’s little to no upfront cost, and the operational responsibility stays with us.

San Francisco solar installations are subject to PG&E’s NEM 3.0 Net Billing Tariff, which took effect for new solar applications after April 14, 2023. Following a March 2026 Court of Appeal ruling upholding the tariff on remand, the California Supreme Court declined to hear further appeal in June 2026, leaving NEM 3.0 as settled policy. Under NEM 3.0, compensation for energy exported to the grid runs approximately 75% lower than under the prior NEM 2.0 structure. That shift makes self-consumption of solar energy significantly more valuable than exporting it. Leased systems paired with Tesla Powerwall battery storage allow property owners to store daytime solar production and draw from it during PG&E’s higher-cost evening hours, which can improve the overall economics of the lease.

One important distinction: because the leasing company owns the system, the property owner doesn’t claim the federal Investment Tax Credit directly. The leasing company claims it as system owner and may pass savings through as lower lease rates. This matters under current federal law: the residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) was eliminated for systems installed after December 31, 2025, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, so cash purchases and solar loans no longer qualify for a federal tax credit. The commercial Section 48E credit available to leasing companies remains in effect through the end of 2027 for eligible systems. We offer solar loans and cash purchase options as well, and a free consultation is the right place to compare your options given current incentive rules.

Why San Francisco Property Owners Work with Cobalt Power Systems Inc

Solar leasing in San Francisco involves more than panel placement. Historic and varied roof structures, San Francisco Department of Building Inspection permitting requirements, and PG&E interconnection coordination all add complexity that an installer without local depth can struggle to manage. Our in-house CAD department and engineering team design systems around the specific conditions of each property, and our permitting team handles all city and utility approvals directly.

Credentials & Equipment Partnerships

Our credentials reflect the quality of equipment we bring to every installation:

Tesla Premier Certified Installer: We integrate Tesla Powerwall battery storage into residential solar systems across the Bay Area, a meaningful capability under NEM 3.0 where energy storage self-consumption plays an important role in lease performance.
Maxeon Preferred Partner and Enphase Partnership: Access to premium panel technology and Enphase microinverters, two of the most recognized names in residential photovoltaic systems.
SunPower Dealer of the Year: We were the first SunPower Elite Dealer in the nation, a recognition tied to our history of installation quality and customer outcomes.

Installation Capacity & Post-Install Support

Behind every installation is a team built to execute at scale without sacrificing precision. Our 14 installation teams and fleet of 32 service trucks keep projects on schedule. For residential customers, every system comes with a 15-year materials and labor warranty, and after the first year in operation, we provide complimentary system checkups and panel cleanings.

Start with a Free Consultation

If you’re weighing solar leasing in San Francisco, the first step is understanding what your property can produce and what a lease would cost month-to-month. Our consultations are free; there’s no pressure to move forward, and you’ll leave with a clear picture of your options.

We’re a local Bay Area company with over two decades of installation experience and the resources to handle every step in-house. Call us at (650) 817-7791 or reach out through our contact form to schedule your consultation.

Our Solar Leasing Process in San Francisco

Every lease engagement starts with a detailed assessment of the property. We evaluate energy use, roof conditions, shading, and solar generation potential before preparing any proposal. That site-specific data goes directly to our in-house CAD and engineering team, who produce a customized leasing proposal covering expected energy production, monthly payment terms, and full system specifications.

From there, we manage the full approval and installation sequence:

Permitting: Our team submits and tracks all applications to the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection, reducing the risk of delays caused by incomplete filings.
Installation: One of our 14 trained installation teams handles panel placement and Enphase microinverter setup. No subcontractors.
PG&E Interconnection: We coordinate utility interconnection directly, managing the process through to system activation.
System Commissioning: At activation, we walk through the system with the property owner so everything is clear before the lease begins.

Solar Leasing vs. Buying Solar in San Francisco

Leasing and purchasing are both viable paths to solar, and the right choice depends on your priorities. Here’s how the two structures compare:

Upfront Cost: Leasing requires little to no upfront payment. A cash purchase requires full payment at signing; a solar loan spreads that cost over time.
System Ownership: The leasing company owns the system. With a purchase, ownership transfers to the property owner at installation.
Maintenance: Under a lease, the leasing company handles maintenance and repairs. With a purchase, that responsibility belongs to the owner unless covered by an installer warranty.
Federal Investment Tax Credit: Under current federal law, the residential Section 25D tax credit was eliminated for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Leasing companies can still claim the commercial Section 48E credit for eligible systems and may pass those savings through as lower lease rates. Property owners who purchase don’t have access to a federal solar tax credit for new installations as of 2026. Contact us for current incentive details.
Long-Term Savings: Purchased systems generally offer greater long-term savings because there are no ongoing lease payments. Leasing trades some of that upside for lower entry cost and reduced responsibility.
Home Sale Considerations: A lease agreement typically transfers to the new owner at sale. For properties likely to be sold during the lease term, this is worth factoring into the decision.

At the end of a lease term, common options include renewing the agreement, purchasing the system at its fair market value, or having the equipment removed. The specific terms vary by contract and are defined in the lease agreement.

Cobalt Power Systems Inc offers both leasing and other financing structures. A free consultation is a practical way to compare the two paths with your property and energy goals.

Power Your Home with Confidence

Premium Solar Solutions for Bay Area Homeowners Ready to Save, Sustain, and Simplify

Smart, Sustainable Living Backed by Cobalt Power

A Berkshire Hathaway or Intero home, equipped with a Cobalt Power System, delivers tangible benefits that last for decades.

Future-Ready, High-Performance Systems
Our custom solar, battery, and demand solutions are built to last—maximizing resilience, savings, and value.
Seamless Delivery, Start to Finish
We handle every step in-house - from design to installation to service - for a smooth, stress-free experience.
Client-Focused. Quality-Driven. Proven.

We earn five-star ratings and lasting partnerships by putting your goals and project success first.
Trusted Experts in Solar & Storage
With 4,000+ installations and 20+ years of experience, we deliver complex energy systems with precision and care.

Energy You Can Trust, Stories You Can Believe

Excellent company.
“We have worked with Cobalt Power Systems for over 10 years.”

- Jack
What a great experience
“He guided us through every step with his team to make sure we were well taken care of.”

- Silphy
Cobalt was among the most professional team that we have used
“From the moment Drew put together a proposal through the professional installation/ QA / Handover to the homeowners I can honestly say that Cobalt was among the most professional team that we have used. The communication was top notch and the predictability of the dates was excellent. I can't recommend them enough.”

- Ed K.
They left out no details in their plans!
“We're very happy with the design (can't see from the front of the house) and more importantly the energy being saved.”

- Suzzy

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