Equipment prices have dropped enough to offset the lost credit. Homeowners going solar today are paying close to what people paid last year with incentives.
Solar panels and equipment costs have fallen significantly
You still get credit for the power you send to the grid
Utility electricity costs continue to rise
What actually changed
The 30% federal residential credit ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. What most homeowners haven’t heard is that equipment pricing dropped over the same period. That drop is what closes the gap, and it lands directly in your contract price.
Same house, same system, one year apart. The credit is the only line that moved against you, and the price line moved back in your favor.
What actually changed
Every kilowatt hour your roof produces is one you don't buy from the utility. That offset starts the month your system is switched on and continues for decades
You generate your own power instead of renting it. Pair the system with battery storage and your home keeps running when the grid doesn't.
Utility rates trend upward year after year. A solar system fixes most of your cost of electricity at the day you sign, then keeps producing for 25+ years.
What actually changed
The hardware that makes up most of a system's cost is cheaper than it was when the credit was still in place.
You see the lower number the day you sign, instead of waiting until you file and hoping the credit lands the way you expected.
A tax credit is only worth what you owe. A lower price is worth the same to everyone, whatever your tax situation looks like.
Power you send to the grid is credited against the power you pull back later, which is what keeps your utility bill down month to month.
Massachusetts still offers a modest state tax credit, and RECs (Renewable Energy Credits) pay on what your system generates.
Pricing depends on your system size and equipment selection. Incentive availability and eligibility vary by state and utility territory. Your consultant will confirm the exact numbers for your address in writing before you sign anything.
Straight answers
Yes. It ended for residential systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. If your system was installed and running in 2025, you can still claim it on that year’s return. Anything placed in service after that date doesn’t qualify, no matter when it was ordered or paid for.
Because a price drop shows up quietly inside a quote, and an expiring tax credit makes headlines. A system quoted today can land close to what the same system cost last year after the credit was applied. Get a quote and you’ll see it.
We can’t predict Congress, so we won’t guess. Here’s what waiting costs you: another full utility bill every month, and a later start on your net metering credits and RECs. We’ll show you both scenarios with real numbers so you can decide.
It changes the inputs, not the method. Payback still comes down to your roof, your usage, and your utility rate. Homes that were a strong fit before usually still are. Borderline homes deserve a fresh look. The free quote tells you which one you have.
No. The federal tax credit still applies to commercial systems. Only the residential credit expired. Businesses can still claim the 30% federal credit on a qualifying solar installation, on top of the depreciation benefits homeowners never had. It does have an end date: qualifying commercial systems have to be placed in service by December 31, 2027, so timing matters. If you’re looking at a business property, ask us for a commercial review and we’ll walk through what your project qualifies for and what the schedule needs to look like.
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Information on this page is general and for educational purposes only; it is not tax or legal advice. Incentive programs, rates, and eligibility change and vary by state, utility territory, and individual circumstances. Please consult a qualified tax professional about your own situation. Equipment pricing referenced reflects general market movement, not a guaranteed quote. Your system price will be confirmed in writing before you sign.
