Show me the money: A guide to financing options for solar businesses

This piece is about how solar installation companies get financing, not about loans for homeowners buying solar or other upgrades. It notes that lending to solar businesses hit $8.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly amount in more than a decade, meaning solar contractors have more access to capital right now.

The financing options described are for the businesses themselves, covering things like trucks, equipment, warehouses, or bridging cash flow between a signed contract and final payment. These include government-backed SBA loans (up to $5 million for general business needs, or up to $5.5 million for real estate and equipment purchases) as well as conventional bank products like lines of credit, equipment loans, and term loans. Lenders typically want to see at least two years in business, decent credit, and steady revenue before offering the best rates.

None of this changes rebates, tax credits, or costs for a homeowner installing solar or another energy upgrade. It's a look at the lending environment for the companies that do the installing. If it has any indirect effect on your own project, it might be that easier access to capital could help installers in your area stay staffed, stock equipment, or take on new jobs without long delays — but the article doesn't say anything about pricing or availability changing for customers.