AURA℠ Next-Gen Solar
Guide & FAQ’s
The federal government’s 30% solar tax credit still exists — it just moved. As of January 2026, only commercial leasing companies can claim it. AURA℠ is Raynora’s solution that captures that credit and passes the full 30% directly back to you — either as an upfront discount on your system cost or as a cash-back check.
Select your state, utility & payment type to see your numbers
AURA℠ Next-Gen Solar — Overview by Raynora
- Designs your system and walks you through every AURA℠ option
- Manages permits, installation, and utility interconnection end-to-end
- Coordinates your AURA℠ cash-back payouts at every milestone
- Your single point of contact from quote through activation
- Both your solar advisor and your installation team — backed by the nation’s largest single residential solar installer
- Legally owns your solar system as the commercial entity throughout the 25-year prepaid lease
- Claims the 30% federal ITC upfront — then passes 100% of that value back to you via AURA℠
- Responsible for system maintenance and 24/7 monitoring throughout the lease term
- At the 6th anniversary, you have the voluntary option to purchase — expected buyout cost is $0 or very close
- Provides the 20-year loan that finances your Participate Energy prepaid lease obligation
- Lite Loan: escalating start rate, funds early — releasing your first cash-back check sooner
- Fixed Loan: stable flat monthly payment, first payment 6 months from draw
- No prepayment penalty — up to 3 reamortizations allowed
| Feature | AURA (Standard) | AURA+ (Plus) |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Method | Cash or Loan | Loan Only |
| 30% Incentive | Applied as Upfront Discount | Paid as Cash Back Check |
| Primary Benefit | Lowest monthly payment | Cash to Spend as You Wish |
| Lease Term | 25-Year Prepaid Lease-to-Own | 25-Year Prepaid Lease-to-Own |
| Ownership Option | Year 6+ | Year 6+ |
| Availability | Live — 6 States | Live — 6 States + Pre-Sale — 17 Markets |
Raynora is a full-service solar company — both your solar advisor and your installation team. We design your system, walk you through your AURA℠ options, manage permits, installation, and utility interconnection, and coordinate your cash-back payouts milestone by milestone.
You have one point of contact throughout your entire project. Raynora partners with Participate Energy (the tax equity firm that makes the 30% pass-through possible) and Credit Human (for AURA+ loan financing). Everything else — design, installation, project management, and payout coordination — is handled by Raynora directly, backed by the nation’s largest single residential solar installer.
AURA is a Prepaid Lease-to-Own structure designed to maximize your solar savings through a Federal Solar Tax Credit Pass-Through. With the 30% federal tax credit shifting to commercial leasing companies in 2026, AURA allows our financing partner to monetize that credit and pass 100% of the value directly back to you. Subject to financing approval, you can choose to receive this 30% pass-through benefit as an upfront discount on your system cost, or as a cash-back check if you finance. Because it operates as a prepaid lease, the system is fully funded on day one — either by paying cash or, more commonly, by using one of our specialized, low-payment solar loans.
Ownership Option: You have the voluntary option to purchase the system starting on the 6th anniversary. The buyout price is determined by the Fair Market Value (FMV) of the system minus the value of the System Owner’s remaining obligations to you. This calculation often results in a very low-cost transfer (close to $0.00), though the price will never be less than $0.00. If there is ever a disagreement regarding the FMV, an independent third-party appraisal can be requested — at Participate Energy’s cost — to ensure fairness.
The core distinction depends on your payment method:
Cash Buyers: If you pay for the system upfront in cash, the 30% pass-through benefit is always applied as an Upfront Discount (effectively the AURA Standard model).
Financing Customers: If you use a loan to finance the prepaid lease, you have a choice:
- AURA (Standard): The 30% pass-through benefit lowers the principal loan balance — resulting in your lowest possible monthly payment.
- AURA+ (Plus): The 30% pass-through benefit is paid out to you as a Cash Back Check. Available only for customers financing their system, subject to financing approval, and often paired with the Lite Loan to help cover payments.
Your total AURA+ cash-back equals 30% of your Total Contract Price — the final installed system cost documented in your signed agreement. It is paid in two separate checks:
- Check 1 — 5% of your Total Contract Price (timing depends on loan type; see the payout FAQ below)
- Check 2 — 25% of your Total Contract Price, issued approximately 45 days after System Activation (PTO)
Example: If your system is installed for $35,000, your Check 1 would be $1,750 and your Check 2 would be $8,750, for a total of $10,500 returned to you in cash.
Use the AURA℠ Explorer tool above to estimate your cash back by state, utility, and payment type. Actual amounts are based solely on your final signed Total Contract Price and are subject to financing approval.
The timeline varies slightly depending on your loan type. Here’s the Lite Loan flow — the most common path for AURA+ customers:
This payout schedule applies only if you have selected the AURA+ option (available only with financing, subject to approval). The timing depends on your selected loan:
- Fixed Loan: 5% is paid after Installation, and the remaining 25% is paid approx. 45 days after System Activation (PTO).
- Lite Loan: Because this loan funds early, the 5% is released immediately after the Site Survey — ideal for covering initial loan payments. The remaining 25% is paid approx. 45 days after Activation (PTO).
Note: Cash-back checks are issued by Raynora’s installation partner under the Additional Financing Agreement. If any portion of the funds received from the tax equity partner are reversed or clawed back, the agreement requires the customer to return the affected check amount. This provision is detailed in the financing agreement you will receive at signing.
Both options allow you to finance the Prepaid Lease obligation (AURA). If you have chosen the AURA+ product, your loan type determines the timing of your cash back.
Credit Human Fixed: A stable 20-year loan with a flat payment that never increases. Includes a 6-month no-payment holiday.
Credit Human Lite: An exclusive offering through Raynora featuring a low initial payment and a 2.85% annual escalator.
- Recommended for AURA+: Because the Lite Loan funds early, it releases the first 5% of the cash back immediately after the Site Survey, allowing you to use that cash to cover monthly loan payments during the installation phase.
- Standard Note: If you choose AURA (Standard) with a Lite Loan, you benefit from the low entry rate but do not receive a cash back check since the discount was applied to the principal upfront.
- Benefits: Lowest entry rate, no prepayment penalty, same credit requirements as Fixed. Up to 3 reamortizations allowed over the life of the loan.
No. There is no lien on your real estate property. The System Owner files a “UCC-1 Fixture Filing,” which is a public notice that they own the solar equipment (personal property), not your home. Your real property title remains completely unencumbered throughout the AURA℠ lease term.
You have the voluntary option to take full legal title to the system starting on the 6th Anniversary of installation, and on any anniversary after that. Before Year 6, the bank holds title to monetize the tax incentives for you.
If you sell your home: A home sale does not require a buyout. The lease can be freely transferred to the new owner — the ownership option simply continues to exist at Year 6 and beyond. This makes the AURA℠ fully transferable with no forced buyout on a home sale.
Post-purchase: Once you complete a purchase, you own the system outright and retain 100% of all Grid Services revenue. Any remaining installer workmanship warranties transfer to you as the new system owner.
Yes. If your system is enrolled in a Grid Services program (also known as a Virtual Power Plant or VPP), you receive 30% to 70% of the net proceeds. This is a revenue stream most traditional solar leases do not offer. After the optional Year 6 ownership buyout, you retain 100% of all Grid Services revenue. Contact Raynora at 1-844-RAYGRID or gosolar@raynora.com for details on Grid Services availability in your area.
Per the agreement, you must include the System on your homeowner’s casualty insurance policy for the “Replacement Cost of System” and name the System Owner as a “Loss Payee.” Your existing homeowner’s insurance policy can typically be updated to meet this requirement by contacting your insurance provider.
Yes — and this is one of AURA℠’s most underrated advantages. The following property types are all eligible:
- Owner-occupied primary residences
- Rental properties (long-term tenants)
- Vacation homes (including Airbnb and VRBO short-term rentals)
- Second homes
- Condos — if the owner controls the roof
For investment properties and rentals, AURA℠ is particularly powerful: your 30% pass-through benefit reduces your system cost on day one, lowering your break-even while the property continues generating income. The lease transfers freely to any new owner if you sell.
What’s not eligible: Ground mount systems are not currently supported. The property must have a qualifying roof and be served by an eligible utility. Check your utility below.
Property must meet Participate Energy’s eligibility guidelines. Contact Raynora at 1-844-RAYGRID to confirm your specific property qualifies before signing.
The AURA℠ is available on most standard residential properties per Participate Energy’s Project Eligibility Policy (effective December 2025).
| ✓ Eligible Property Types | ✗ Not Approved |
|---|---|
| Single-family detached structures | Manufactured, mobile, or double-wide homes (HUD plates) |
| Townhomes (fee simple; owner owns ground-to-roof) | Commercial, Agricultural, or Business-zoned properties |
| Duplexes/Triplexes (owner must own roof, attic & wall) | Schools, churches, apartments, hotels, or government buildings |
| Rental homes, vacation homes & second homes | RVs, motorhomes, or marine vessels |
| Condos (owner must control roof) | Designated Historic Buildings |
| Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on same parcel | Buildings over 3 stories |
| Properties owned by Trust or LLC (approved structure) | Properties held via Lease or Life Estate |
| Properties on a residential rate tariff | Sites ineligible for Investment Tax Credit (ITC) |
Your roof must also have a minimum remaining lifespan of 10 years. Contact Raynora at 1-844-RAYGRID (844-729-4743) or gosolar@raynora.com to confirm your property’s eligibility.
Raynora serves homeowners in 28 U.S. states. AURA℠ — the ITC pass-through option — is currently available in 23 of those markets.
AURA Standard (upfront discount) — Live today:
AURA+ (cash-back check) — Live in the same 6 states above, plus pre-sale in:
If your state isn’t listed, Raynora may still serve you with a standard lease or ownership option. Check your utility below or contact us at 1-844-RAYGRID.
Tell us about your property and we’ll show you exactly what’s available and what you’d receive.
Don’t see your utility? Call 1-844-RAYGRID — we can confirm eligibility.
Raynora currently serves with standard solar lease and ownership options. Our team can walk you through what’s available and get you on the list when AURA℠ arrives.
Is My Utility Eligible?
Search over 400 active utilities across 23 states to confirm AURA℠ availability for your home. Updated 3/3/26.
| State | Utility | Program |
|---|
Don’t see your utility? Contact Raynora — markets expand regularly. Call 1-844-RAYGRID or email gosolar@raynora.com.
Live markets are states where AURA℠ is fully active — projects can be signed, installed, and funded today with no restrictions.
Pre-Sale markets are states currently available for AURA+ only where agreements can be executed and projects can begin the pipeline, but full funding is being finalized for that market. AURA Standard (upfront discount) is currently a Live-only product. Pre-Sale availability applies exclusively to AURA+ (cash-back) customers.
Raynora will confirm current timelines for your specific state at the time of your quote. If your state is not listed, contact us to discuss available options.
Raynora serves homeowners across 28 U.S. jurisdictions. AURA℠ availability within that territory (updated 3/3/26):
| Product | Live | Pre-Sale |
|---|---|---|
| AURA Standard | AZ, CA, CO, MA, NJ, TX | N/A |
| AURA+ | AZ, CA, CO, MA, NJ, TX | CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, MD, ME, MI, MO, NH, NM, OH, OR, PA, VA, WA |
Raynora’s total service territory covers 28 jurisdictions — not all options are active in every market. Market availability is updated regularly. Contact Raynora to confirm current availability and options for your area.
Call 1-844-RAYGRID (844-729-4743), email gosolar@raynora.com, or visit raynora.com.
