Can I claim the monthly amount I pay for solar panels as a Utility expense for my tenants on a house I rent out?

[Carl]

Do you own the solar panels? If yes, then whatever you paid for them would be a capitalized asset, as they add to the cost basis of the property.

[Mike9241]

if you own them then the monthly payment would apparently be on the loan to finance them. only the interest portion of the payment would be deductible. 

[Critter-3]

Correct ... the interest is a deductible cost.  The hard costs of the solar system (less any credits taken) are assets that must be depreciated.