Tax credits, state and utility programs, permitting rules and ways to pay for solar.
Incentives and rules change faster than hardware prices, so this section focuses on how each mechanism works and where to verify the current details. Federal law has been the biggest swing factor: the residential clean energy credit that many homeowners relied on was changed by legislation in 2025, and the guides explain what that means for 2026 purchases and for people who installed earlier.
Beyond federal policy, your state, your utility and your city shape the real cost. Net metering rules decide how exports are credited, local permits decide how long you wait, and the financing you choose decides how much interest you pay over time.
Use the payback calculator and the loan calculator alongside these guides. Nothing here is tax or legal advice; each guide points to the official source you should check before you sign.
Incentives, Permits & Financing
How the federal residential solar tax credit worked, what 2025 legislation changed, how leased systems differ, and how to check eligibility for 2026 and earlier installs.
Incentives, Permits & Financing
Compare ways to pay for home solar, including cash, solar loans, home equity, leases and PPAs, with APR math, dealer fee examples and questions to ask lenders.
Incentives, Permits & Financing
How solar leases, power purchase agreements and ownership differ in cost, risk, tax treatment and home sales, with a 25-year cost example and contract clauses to read.
Incentives, Permits & Financing
Which permits, inspections, electrical and fire codes, HOA rules and utility approvals apply to home solar, plus a step-by-step timeline and document list.
Incentives, Permits & Financing
How state and utility solar programs work, including net metering, net billing, rebates, tax exemptions and SRECs, plus a method to find and verify what applies to your address.
