150 Types of Unusual Investments – The List

124. Solar Panels – disregarding the real and/or perceived environmental benefits like CO2 reduction and energy independence, solar panels may make financial sense if the cost to own or lease solar panels is less than the cost to buy electricity from the utility company.

Tax credits and other government subsidies typically are a key driver of that ROI.

Without the subsidies, the payback period for your initial investment may end up being many, many years.

Homeowners need to be extremely careful about what they are signing up for. In the case of a solar panel lease, unfavorable terms might scare off future buyers.