I've gleaned these lenders from the kind people on BP.

I would glean as much info from BP and other RE sites first.

I'd love to glean some tips from you on what has worked.ThanksRyan

As a mindtrust for my bretheren and sistren, here are some articles that I have gleaned from the superhighway:Honda giving no to low cost financing:http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/environment-energy/honda-rolls-out-home-solar-installation-initiative/nWsjD/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/business/honda-to-offer-customers-a-home-solar-system-option.htmlFirst Complex of 114 Apartments 100% Solar Building in San Diego:http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/san-diegos-first-100-pv-apartment-community-032913California changing the law for COMMERCIAL applications: http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M055/K434/55434149.PDFWhile this press release is convoluted, perhaps another thread can discuss what the state of CA is actually doing with commercial applications and getting paid to create power for the grid, but I digress. . .So back to my central question, how do you step up to solar efficiently & economically, then become the power company for your tenants?

A lot can be gleaned by watching those watching the "show". 

However, you can glean some good ideas from them to incorporate into your own. 

@Zac C.Based on the information I can glean from your post and your profile, I chose option #1 and here is why.I'm assuming as a contractor you are a reasonably handy dude, I think this is an advantage and you should capitalize on any advantage you can. 

The more I think about this and consider all of the great information I have gleaned from this thread, I think your idea may be our best bet for now.

I'm certainly not a tax expert, but I'll chime in with some info I've gleaned from my own experiences. 40% seems a little high unless you flip a lot of houses each year and that is your ordinary tax rate.

One other tip that I gleaned here on bigger pockets was to delete locking door handles and replace them with the dummy handles like you would use on a hall closet (no lock).