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How AL Elite works for solar financing for installers
- Tell us about it. Your trade, where you operate, roughly how many jobs a month you quote, and whether you need capital, a customer-financing program or both. No credit pull.
- We match you. Your request goes to lenders in our network who work with contractors in your trade and state. For customer financing, we set up a program; for capital, we match you with business lenders.
- You choose and apply with the lender. Rates, terms and the decision come from the lender. For customer-financing programs, there's no cost to join and no obligation to use it on every job.
Dealer fees and the price you can defend
Solar customers are increasingly aware that a 2.99% loan often comes with a dealer fee built into the system price. Regulators are aware too. Our program's rule is simple: show the cash price and the financed price together, and let the customer choose. Installers who do this close fewer customers on a misleading rate and keep more of them past the first bill. The homeowner page your customers read, solar financing, explains dealer fees in plain language.
Loans, leases and PPAs
Loans mean the customer owns the system and claims any available tax credit. Leases and PPAs mean the installer or a third party owns it. If you offer more than one structure, present the ownership difference clearly. Tax credit rules change; never quote a credit as certain.
Capital for solar installers
Solar businesses carry panels, inverters and racking ahead of install, and wait on utility interconnection to get paid. Working capital and equipment financing for trucks and lifts are the common requests. See contractor business loans.
Who can join
Every lender sets its own criteria. The things that come up most often:
- Time in business. Many business lenders want at least one to two years of operating history; some products accept less.
- Revenue. Annual revenue thresholds vary by lender and product. Bank statements are the usual proof.
- Business and personal credit. Smaller contractors are often underwritten partly on the owner's personal credit.
- Licensing and insurance. A current contractor's license (where required) and general liability insurance.
- State. Lender availability and product rules vary by state. We match you with lenders who serve your location.
Frequently asked questions
How do solar installers offer financing?
Through solar loan lenders, lease/PPA providers or a marketplace like AL Elite. Present the financed price and the cash price together, let the customer apply, and get funded per the lender's schedule.
What is a dealer fee in solar?
A fee the installer pays the lender to offer a below-market APR, typically passed into the system price. It's legal if disclosed, and the source of many complaints when it isn't. Our program requires side-by-side pricing.
Can I offer leases and PPAs through AL Elite?
Our program is loan-focused. Installers who offer leases or PPAs through other providers can still use our loan program and business-capital matching.
Is AL Elite a lender for solar financing for installers?
No. AL Elite is a matching service. We route your request to business lenders in our network who fund solar financing for installers, and they set the terms and make the decision. Lenders pay us for introductions; you don't.
Does requesting options affect my business or personal credit?
Submitting a request to AL Elite does not pull credit. Business lenders typically run a soft inquiry to pre-qualify and a hard inquiry at formal application. We tell you each lender's approach before you proceed.