The magnet, the room, the chiller, and the siting work are all one project, and the Sola deserves that treatment from the first planning conversation. The Siemens Magnetom Sola is a 1.5T BioMatrix platform that runs helium-sealed superconducting magnet technology, meaning the boil-off losses that have historically driven up operating costs are dramatically reduced. For an outpatient imaging center evaluating a first system or a physician-owned facility replacing aging iron, that difference in lifetime operating cost changes the financing math significantly. We structure Sola projects from the magnet acquisition through the RF shielding, the chiller, and the site preparation, because treating each component as a separate transaction just multiplies paperwork without reducing cost.
Facilities asking about the Sola typically sit in two places: they are adding a second bore to reduce schedule pressure on a high-volume 3T, or they are opening a new location where a reliable, cost-efficient 1.5T is the right clinical choice. Either way, the financing structure should reflect the full project budget, not just the magnet line item. Our minimum is $50,000 and our sweet spot runs $100,000 to well above that, with funding typically in one to two weeks from a complete application. New and refurbished Sola systems both qualify, and buyers with B or C credit histories are considered on the full picture of the practice, not a single number.
What the Sola Project Actually Costs
The Magnetom Sola uses Siemens BioMatrix technology, which includes adaptive coil elements and a sealed helium vessel designed to eliminate the routine helium refill cycle. The base magnet price for a new Sola system varies by configuration and negotiated contract, but total project costs for a greenfield installation routinely include the magnet purchase, RF shielding for the scan room, an MRI chiller system appropriate for the 1.5T thermal load, and any civil construction required to comply with Siemens siting specifications. A refurbished Sola from a reputable OEM-certified refurbisher represents a different cost structure, often allowing the same clinical capability at a lower entry point while still qualifying for our standard financing terms.
Practices that opt for a capital lease structure on the Sola often do so specifically to capture the Section 179 and bonus depreciation treatments available on new medical equipment, which can create a meaningful first-year tax offset against scan revenue. Those evaluating a used or refurbished Sola should discuss used equipment financing terms early in the process, because advance rate, useful life, and amortization schedule all differ slightly from new-iron terms and it is better to know those parameters before committing to a specific purchase price.
Facilities That Finance the Sola
The Sola's efficiency profile and clinical versatility make it the right platform for a specific set of buyers. Outpatient imaging centers adding a second system for throughput reasons find the Sola's reliable performance and low maintenance overhead attractive; you do not want an urgent helium refill situation competing with your schedule. Orthopedic clinics that image mostly musculoskeletal cases appreciate the Sola's coil library and the wide range of MSK protocols available at 1.5T. Radiology groups looking to standardize on a single-vendor platform for service contract simplicity also consider the Sola as their workhorse system.
Practices in high-growth suburban corridors, where patient volume is rising faster than regional hospital capacity, represent another strong buyer profile. These facilities often need to move quickly, and our application-only process for transactions up to approximately $400,000 means a well-qualified borrower can reach a term sheet without assembling a full financial package. For projects above that threshold, three months of bank statements and a simple financial summary cover most of what underwriters need.
How the Financing Timeline Works
For a Sola acquisition, the process starts with a one-page application and the vendor's equipment quote. We review the file and typically return a credit decision within 24 hours for transactions under $400,000. Practices with established financials and a clear business case often receive multiple term options, covering different amortization lengths and structures from a standard loan to a fair market value lease. For larger or more complex projects that include siting costs and peripheral equipment, the documentation step adds a few days but the overall timeline to funding remains one to two weeks from a complete package.
Sellers and refurbishers who have been through this process with us know that we do not create last-minute surprises. We communicate expected documentation requirements up front, so the practice administrator is not chasing items after the credit approval. If a practice is in a competitive market where another operator is also looking at the same refurbished Sola, moving quickly is the entire game, and our process is built for that.
New Sola vs. Refurbished Sola: Financing Differences
A new Magnetom Sola purchased directly from Siemens Healthineers typically comes with full warranty coverage, current software, and the ability to structure financing at favorable advance rates. A refurbished Sola sourced from a certified third-party refurbisher can be priced meaningfully lower, which changes the financing structure and the monthly payment obligation. Both qualify for our programs, though the advance rate on used equipment may be slightly lower and the amortization period reflects the remaining useful life of the system.
Practices that are considering refurbished systems should ask the vendor about the software generation included, available coil inventory, and whether the system has been recertified to current FDA requirements. These factors affect resale value and, therefore, the lender's collateral position. When the refurbishment provenance is clear and documented, financing conditions for a used Sola are not materially different from those of other well-maintained medical imaging equipment in the same price range. A sale-leaseback on an existing system can sometimes be used to fund the down payment on a Sola upgrade, freeing cash without requiring a secondary credit event.
Common Questions About Sola Financing
Start Your Sola Financing Application
Send us the equipment quote and a one-page application. We typically return a decision in 24 hours, and funding follows within one to two weeks of a complete file. New and refurbished systems qualify. B and C credit borrowers are welcome to apply. Contact us to begin.