Solar research and analysis
Independent analysis on the federal credit expiration, dealer fee structures, state incentive programs, equipment choices, and whole-home energy sequencing. Every figure carries an accuracy date. No sponsored content. No brand partnerships.
Solar incentive policy, lender status, and utility net metering rules change frequently. Each article shows when it was last reviewed and when it is next scheduled for review. If a critical fact has changed since the review date, a flag appears at the top of the article. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) is confirmed expired as of December 31, 2025.
All articles
The Section 48E commercial solar tax credit requires construction to begin by July 4, 2026 for the full placed-in-service window through 2030. Here is what business owners need to understand before that date, and what the path looks like after it.
C-PACE lets commercial property owners finance solar installation through a property tax assessment, paying for the system over 20 to 30 years through the tax bill instead of a loan. Available in more than 32 states, with no personal guarantee and 100 percent financing of project costs.
Tax-exempt organizations including nonprofits, municipalities, and rural electric cooperatives can receive the Section 48E commercial solar credit as a direct cash payment from the IRS. Here is how elective pay works and what your organization needs to do.
Three solar quotes that look similar can vary by $8,000 to $15,000 in true cost once you account for dealer fees, equipment tier, and warranty depth. Here is the checklist for comparing proposals in 2026.
The order in which you tackle home energy upgrades determines how much they cost you, how large a solar system you need, and whether your heat pump, battery, and EV charger all work together without overloading your panel. Most homeowners get the sequence wrong.
The 30% federal residential solar credit ended December 31, 2025. Here is what that actually means for homeowners deciding whether solar still makes financial sense in 2026, and which states still offer compelling economics without federal help.
H.R.1, signed July 4, 2025, ended the 30% residential solar credit and reshaped the commercial credit timeline. Here is a plain-language breakdown of every solar provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what each one means for a homeowner or business owner deciding in 2026.
Solar installers quote system sizes based on your current electricity consumption. If you air seal, insulate, and switch to a heat pump first, that consumption drops by 20 to 35 percent and your solar system gets proportionally smaller. Most installation quotes skip this conversation.
Most homeowners do not know whether the company they called is the company installing their panels. The broker vs installer distinction shows up as real dollars in system cost, warranty coverage, and accountability when something goes wrong.
A dealer fee is a markup solar lenders pay to installers, recovered by charging you a higher loan principal. On a $28,000 system, a 25% dealer fee adds $7,000 invisibly. The CFPB documented this in 2025. Here is how it works.
The 30% federal residential solar credit ended December 31, 2025. Solar leases and PPAs let third-party companies claim the Section 48E commercial credit and pass savings through lower monthly rates. Here is how that works.
The 30% federal residential solar tax credit is gone for 2026 systems. Section 25D expired December 31, 2025 under H.R.1, signed July 4, 2025. Here is exactly what happened, what survives, and what it means for a homeowner deciding right now.
California's NEM 3.0 Solar Billing Plan cuts export credits by roughly 75% compared to NEM 2.0. Here is what that means for system sizing, battery ROI, and payback period in 2026.
What we cover
Solar economics shifted significantly in 2025 and 2026. The federal residential credit is gone. Two major lenders filed for bankruptcy. Net metering rules changed in California. The articles here track what changed and what it means for a homeowner or business deciding right now.
Section 25D expired December 31, 2025. What survives, what does not, and how the economics changed for residential buyers in 2026.
How to read a quote, understand dealer fees, compare installer credentials, and verify state incentive claims before signing.
Section 48E federal credit (30 percent base), MACRS depreciation, Direct Pay for nonprofits, C-PACE financing, and the construction-start timeline.
Sequencing solar, battery, heat pump, EV charging, and efficiency measures for maximum economics and grid independence.
State tax credits, SREC markets, utility net metering rules, and property tax exemptions by state. All figures accuracy-dated.
A free estimate covers your utility rate, sun hours, applicable state incentives, and an honest payback estimate with no federal residential credit assumed.
