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Solar dealer fee calculator

Many low-interest solar loans carry a dealer fee: an amount the installer pays the lender to lower the rate, usually built into the price the homeowner borrows. Enter the financed price and the cash price or fee % to see it.

How it works

With a cash price, the fee is the financed price minus the cash price. With a fee percentage, the fee is that share of the financed price. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you type is sent anywhere.

Questions

What is a solar dealer fee?

A dealer fee is a charge a solar lender takes from the installer in exchange for offering a low interest rate. Installers usually recover it by raising the price of the system for customers who finance.

Where does the dealer fee show up?

Sometimes as a line in the loan documents, sometimes only as a difference between the cash price and the financed price, and sometimes not at all.

Why does the dealer fee matter at a home sale?

It raises the amount borrowed, so it raises the payoff at closing and the price per watt a buyer or appraiser sees.

Is a low APR always better?

No. A low APR with a large dealer fee can cost more in total than a higher APR on the cash price. Compare the total of payments.

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Estimates only · not financial or legal advice