"25 yr note:"

Oof. The roof should have been fresh underneath, or the solar gets disturbed for a roof job. And the solar assets don't typically last 25 years. Plus, the technology marches on, with different electronics and different materials and better performance, as panels fail, connections fail, converter and storage tech improves.

Being in debt for something you are buying is the same as owning (just not free-and-clear). Making payments due to a lease agreement is a whole 'nother fish to fry. When you read the IRS resources, notice it is based on "date placed in service" and not "date paid in full."