What exactly is this program?

It's a mortgage that finances home energy improvements — usually solar — into the same loan, paired with down payment assistance. Because the home makes its own power, your utility bill drops, and that saved money turns into buying power and lower total cost. One loan, no separate solar contract.

Buy a Home with Zero Down + Lower Bills | Ownly

Q: What credit score do I need?

As low as 580 with compensating factors, or 620 without. There are no maximum income overlays and no geographic overlays, so more buyers qualify than for most traditional down payment assistance. Available in 49 states (not New York).

If this sounds like you

You're not doing anything wrong.

The math just doesn't work the way it used to. We hear the same three things from buyers every day — and each one comes down.

"I'm saving, but it's never enough."

Closing costs and the down payment keep the finish line moving.

→ Down payment assistance can cover your down payment and closing costs — up to 5% of the price.

"Utilities are killing my budget."

Power, gas, water — $200 to $600 a month, every month, forever.

→ Solar is built into the loan, so the home makes its own power and the bill drops toward zero.

"They told me I won't qualify."

Income caps, city limits, waitlists — most assistance feels impossible to use.

→ Credit as low as 580, no income caps, no geographic overlays, in 49 states.

It's not a solar pitch

It's a mortgage — with a smarter structure.

Solar gets financed into the home loan, and the savings flow two ways: they cover your costs to get in, and they shrink your bills once you're in.

Solar built into the loan

Panels, battery, and energy upgrades are financed into one mortgage — no separate solar loan or lease. You own the system from day one.

Net: you own it

Solar company contributes

This program doesn't charge the 15–40% dealer fees solar companies normally pay lenders. They pass that savings to you — toward your down payment and closing.

Net: covers your costs

$0 to get in

The Grid to Green down payment assistance covers up to 5% of the price. For most qualified buyers that means $0 down and $0 cash to close.

Net: keep your savings

Your bill becomes buying power

The home makes its own power, so the utility bill drops toward zero — and that freed-up money lets you qualify for more home at the same monthly cost.

Net: more buying power

See your number

What would this do for you?

Pick where you are and move the sliders. Buying or already own — see the cash you'd keep, the bill that disappears, and the buying power it unlocks.

You're buying

Rough numbers are fine — we'll dial in the exact figures together.

Home address (optional — to check solar fit)

Home price $400,000

Your rent today $2,400

Expected utility bill $300

You keep in your pocket

$23,600

$0 down, $0 cash to close — that money stays yours

Cash a traditional loan would need$23,600

What you bring with the Golden Dream$0

Power bill$300 → ~$35

Extra buying power unlocked+$44,200

Same monthly cost — about +$44,200 more home

Get My Exact Numbers →

Estimate only, for illustration. "Cash kept" assumes a typical ~5.9% down payment + closing on a traditional loan that the Grid to Green DPA can cover (up to 5% of price). Buying power ≈ the loan supported by your eliminated utility bill at current rates; a small power bill (~$35) may remain. Total monthly cost (mortgage + utilities) is typically about the same or a little lower. Not an offer, quote, or commitment to lend; actual results depend on credit, property, market, and program eligibility.

You already own — lower the bill

Refinance to fold in solar and roll high-interest debt into one lower payment. Rough numbers are fine.

Home address (optional — to check solar fit)

Current mortgage balance $300,000

Current mortgage payment (P&I) $1,900

High-interest debt balance $25,000

Monthly payments on that debt $750

Current power bill $280

Solar system price $30,000

New mortgage rate 6.5%

You'd save every month

one payment instead of many — debt gone, power near zero

Now: mortgage + debt + power$0/mo

After: one refinanced payment + near-zero power$0/mo

High-interest debt wiped out$0

New loan amount$0

Solar + debt rolled into one lower monthly payment

Get My Exact Numbers →

Estimate only, for illustration. Assumes a 30-yr fixed refinance at the rate shown, with the new loan covering your current balance plus the solar system plus the debt you consolidate, and near-zero power after solar. Rolling shorter-term debt into a 30-year mortgage lowers the monthly payment but can increase total interest paid over time. Not an offer, quote, or commitment to lend; actual results depend on credit, equity, property, market, and program eligibility.

Three ways in

Pick the door that fits you.

Get in with nothing out of pocket.

If saving the down payment is what's holding you back, this is built for you. Grid to Green assistance can cover the down payment and closing costs — so qualified buyers can purchase with little to nothing out of pocket and keep their savings intact.

$0 down and $0 cash to close for most qualified buyers
Credit as low as 580 (with compensating factors; 620 without)
No income caps, no geographic overlays — 49 states
You own the solar — no lease, no lien

Real example: a buyer with a 625 score kept $23,100 in savings, paid $45/mo less than a traditional loan, and owns their panels outright.

Turn your utility bill into more home.

Lenders look at your total monthly cost, not just the mortgage. Kill the utility bill and that money shifts straight into what you can qualify for — so you can buy more home for the same monthly payment, on the next house you purchase.

Eliminate the power bill → unlock real buying power
Same monthly cost, often a little less
Solar, battery and upgrades in one loan — you own them
First-time or repeat buyers welcome

A $430,000 buyer with a $465/mo utility bill landed the same monthly cost with +$41,000 in additional buying power — and $0 out of pocket.

Already own? Turn equity into a lower bill.

Refinance to add solar and roll high-interest debt — credit cards, car loans — into a single lower payment. Solar takes your power bill toward zero, and consolidating frees up cash every month. One loan, one payment, and you own the system.

Finance solar through the mortgage — no separate solar contract
Consolidate high-interest debt into one lower-rate payment
Power bill drops from ~$300/mo toward near zero
Use the "I already own" calculator above to see your number

Heads up: rolling shorter-term debt into a 30-year mortgage lowers the monthly payment but can raise total interest over time — we'll model it honestly with you.

Real numbers

Same buyer. Same home. Different start.

A first-time buyer, $350,000 home, 580 credit score. The only thing that changed is the structure of the loan.

Traditional Mortgage

Down payment$12,250

Cash to close$8,500

Monthly utilities$275

You own solar?—

$2,620 / mo

The Golden Dream

Down payment$0

Cash to close$0

Monthly utilities~$35

You own solar?Yes

$2,553 / mo

$0 out of pocket · $67/mo lower · and you own the panels.

A real outcome

$23,100

Kept in savings — and still closed.

A buyer with a 625 credit score bought a $330,000 home with nothing out of pocket. The down payment and closing costs were covered, so the $23,100 they'd saved stayed in their account. Their total monthly cost came in about $45 lower than a traditional loan — and they own the solar, with no lease and no lien.

Illustrative example based on a real transaction. Outcomes vary by buyer and are subject to approval. PRMI NMLS 3094. Equal Housing Lender.

Straight answers

The questions everyone asks.

What exactly is this?

A mortgage that finances home energy improvements — usually solar — into the same loan, paired with down payment assistance. The home makes its own power, so your utility bill drops, and that saved money becomes buying power and lower total cost. One loan, no separate solar contract.

How is zero down payment possible?

Solar companies are normally charged dealer fees of 15–40% of system cost by lenders. This program doesn't charge those fees, so the solar company passes that savings to you — as a contribution toward your down payment and closing costs, enough to cover them entirely in many cases.

Will my monthly payment be higher?

Your mortgage payment is slightly higher because solar is in the loan — but your utility bill drops more than the payment rises. Your total monthly cost (mortgage + utilities) can be the same or lower. What matters is the combined number, not the mortgage alone.

What credit score do I need?

As low as 580 with compensating factors, or 620 without. No maximum income overlays and no geographic overlays — so more buyers qualify than for most traditional down payment assistance. Available in 49 states (not New York).

Will I own the solar panels?

Yes. Because solar is financed through your mortgage — not a lease or a separate solar loan — you own the panels outright from day one. No lien, no lease payment, and no complications when you sell.

Is this one of those predatory solar loans?

No. Traditional solar loans hide dealer fees of 15–40% inside the loan. This program doesn't charge those fees — protecting buyers from predatory solar financing is part of the point. The math is simple: the buying power in your utility bill, minus the cost of the system. If it works in your favor, great; if it doesn't fit your situation, you'll be told before going further.

No cost · No obligation · No credit pull

Get your exact numbers.

Tell us where you are and we'll run your real numbers — down payment help, the utility savings, and how much buying power it unlocks. It takes 60 seconds.

First name

Last name

Phone

Property address (if you have one in mind)

Where are you now?

Credit (rough)

A real person reviews every request personally and reaches out within one business day · This is a mortgage inquiry, not a loan application.

Buy a home with zero down — and watch your bills shrink.