Do You Earn Rewards on Solar Panels?
Most solar is financed, not charged
A solar system costs tens of thousands of dollars and is almost always paid through a solar loan, lease, or power-purchase agreement rather than a credit card. Financed amounts and monthly loan or lease payments do not earn rewards, the same as a car payment. So the headline cost of going solar rarely earns anything on a card.
Deposits and small charges
Some installers let you put a deposit or a small portion on a card, which earns your base rate, since solar installation codes as home improvement or contractor services, not a bonus category on most cards. Watch for a surcharge, which on a large deposit can outweigh the rewards, and confirm what the installer will actually accept on a card.
The best card for what you can charge
For any deposit you can charge with no surcharge, a strong flat-rate card earns the most, and a few thousand dollars could help toward a welcome bonus on a new card. Value points at a flat 1 cent, run the numbers in the rewards calculator, and see options in best cash back cards.
Frequently asked questions
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