Cash
You buy and own the system. Review the installed price, maintenance responsibilities and any applicable incentives.
Rooftop solar · CommercialYour business.
Your business.
Your rooftop potential.
Evaluate your building alongside operating hours, utility tariffs and long-term plans for the property. Start with a commercial inquiry, not the homeowner assessment form.
Current focus: Florida, Arizona, Georgia, New Jersey and New York. Availability remains subject to property, utility and project-specific suitability review.
Start with your property
Your commercial rooftop checklist
- Review daytime usage and interval data where available.
- Model energy charges and demand charges separately.
- Confirm roof rights, lease terms and landlord consent.
The right fit comes first
Good solar starts
Good solar starts
with a good look.
An assessment should connect the condition of your property with the way you use electricity.
A satellite view is a starting point, not a substitute for site-specific design and the checks a qualified project team needs to complete.
- 01Roof & sunlight
- Roof size, direction, pitch and shading affect the layout and expected production.
- 02Condition & structure
- Check roof age, remaining life, structural suitability and any repair or replacement needs.
- 03Electrical & utility
- Review the service panel, potential upgrades, utility interconnection and applicable export rules.
- 04Ownership & permission
- Confirm property ownership or written permission, roof access and any required approvals.
From interest to an informed decisionKnow the next step.
Know the next step.
And the one after it.
A typical rooftop-solar journey. The actual scope, provider, availability and timeline must be confirmed for your project.
- 01
Start with the basics
Discuss the property, your electricity use and what you want solar to do.
- 02
Assess the fit
Review the site, roof and electrical requirements, and any limits on a potential system.
- 03
Review the proposal
Compare design assumptions, total cost, payment terms, warranties and projected bill effects before signing.
- 04
Plan the project
If you proceed, the contracted provider coordinates the agreed permits, installation, inspections and utility permission to operate.
Generation is not the same as backup
Solar makes power.
Solar makes power.
Backup takes a plan.
Most standard grid-tied solar systems shut down during a utility outage for safety.
Backup generally requires a system specifically designed for it, often including a battery, compatible controls and equipment that can safely isolate from the grid.
If resilience is a priority
Start with what you need to keep running.
- Identify essential circuits and equipment.
- Check power output, storage capacity and expected runtime.
- Understand recharge limits, weather and operating settings.
A battery does not guarantee whole-building backup or unlimited runtime. Backup capabilities and equipment availability are project-specific.
Choose how you pay. Know what you own.Your roof. Your choice.
Your roof. Your choice.
Different ways to go solar.
Ownership and payment are separate questions. Compare the full agreement, not just the first monthly payment.
Loan
You generally own the system and repay a lender. Compare APR, fees, total repayment and payment changes, not only the advertised rate.
Lease
A third party owns the equipment; you pay to use it. Check payment escalators, service obligations and transfer or buyout terms.
PPA
You pay for the electricity the system produces at the contract rate. Review rate increases, purchase obligations and end-of-term options.
These are general models, not offers from Pinnacle Solar. Availability and terms vary by location and provider. A lease or power purchase agreement does not automatically give you ownership of the panels.
A clearer picture of the numbersKeep the whole bill
Keep the whole bill
in view.
System production is only part of the financial picture. Estimates should show their assumptions and the costs that remain.
Your utility connection
Grid-connected properties usually retain a utility bill. Fixed charges, minimum bills, taxes, purchased electricity and, for some businesses, demand charges can remain.
Exported electricity
Compensation for electricity sent to the grid depends on the utility, tariff and local rules. Export credits may differ from retail rates and can change.
Your contract
Equipment, production, workmanship and roof-penetration warranties are not interchangeable. Check who provides each warranty, exclusions, duration, transferability and claim procedures.
An important 2026 distinction
Do not assume a 30% homeowner tax credit.
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under Section 25D is not available for new installations completed after December 31, 2025. Paying before that date did not preserve the credit for a later installation.
Business incentives follow different, project-specific rules. Eligibility depends on factors such as ownership, timing and applicable requirements. Confirm any incentive with a qualified tax adviser before including it in your decision.
Source: IRS guidance on Section 25D, question 7. Information reviewed October 20, 2026; this is general information, not tax advice.
Before you decideGood questions.
Good questions.
Clearer choices.
A useful assessment helps you understand both the opportunity and the limits.
Will rooftop solar eliminate my electricity bill?
Not necessarily. The effect depends on your usage, system output, financing and utility tariff. Grid-connected customers may still pay for electricity and other charges. Ask for an estimate that includes both solar payments and the remaining utility bill.
Is rooftop solar the same as community solar?
No. Rooftop solar uses equipment installed on your property. A typical community solar subscription allocates bill credits from an off-site project. Compare the two approaches before deciding which fits.
What should I have ready for an assessment?
Your property location, whether you own or lease it, recent electricity usage or bills, approximate roof age and your goals are useful starting points. Share documents only through the confirmed assessment process, and ask what information is actually needed.
What if my roof needs work?
Ask whether repairs or replacement should happen first. Include any structural work, electrical upgrades and future panel removal or reinstallation costs in your comparison.
How much could I save?
There is no universal result. Savings depend on production, consumption, utility rates, export rules, total installed cost, financing and ongoing expenses. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How do I discuss a commercial project?
Call 1 (888) 867-2236 to discuss your building, electricity load, utility tariff and roof rights. Confirm who receives your details and review any proposal or agreement before committing.
Rooftop solar footprint & current focusA broader footprint.
A broader footprint.
A focused next step.
The overall rooftop footprint and today's focus are different. A state on the broader list is not a promise of a currently active project or statewide availability.
Current focus · five states
Where we are focusing now.
For current residential and commercial rooftop inquiries, start with these five states.
- Florida
- Arizona
- Georgia
- New Jersey
- New York
Overall rooftop footprint · 31 states
This broader footprint is not a list of 31 currently active service areas.
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Availability is subject to property, utility and local project review. Community solar eligibility depends on the utility account, program and available project capacity. Rooftop suitability and project availability require a property-specific assessment.
Commercial rooftop inquiry
Start with your business property.
Discuss your building, electricity load, utility tariff and roof rights with our team. The residential homeowner form is not for commercial projects.