Guides
Solar Cost, ROI & Incentives
The federal 30% residential clean energy credit ended on December 31, 2025, and it changed the math on every residential solar decision in the U.S. This category covers what that actually means for homeowners, which state and utility incentives survive, what a system really costs now, and whether solar still pays back without the credit.
Solar cost & incentive guides
Did the Solar Tax Credit End in 2026? What Homeowners Need to Know
Yes — the 30% federal credit for homeowner-owned solar ended December 31, 2025. Here is exactly what expired, what survived, and the one path that still captures 30%.
Read guide →Is DIY Solar Still Worth It Without the Federal Tax Credit?
Losing the 30% credit hurt professional installation more than DIY. Here is the payback math before and after, and where DIY stops making sense.
Read guide →How Much Does It Cost to Install Solar Panels Yourself in 2026?
A line-item breakdown of a DIY 8 kW grid-tied build and a 2 kW off-grid build — including the permit, electrician and interconnection costs most guides leave out.
Read guide →State Solar Incentives That Still Exist in 2026
With the federal 30% credit gone, state and utility programs are the entire incentive. Here is what kinds still exist, which states lead, and how to check yours.
Read guide →Solar Lease vs PPA vs Buying Outright: Which Makes Sense Now?
Since the federal credit ended for owners but survived for third-party ownership, this comparison changed completely. Here is the honest trade-off in 2026.
Read guide →Net Metering Explained: How It Affects Your Solar Payback Period
With the federal credit gone, your utility's export rate is now the biggest single variable in solar economics — worth more over 25 years than most rebates.
Read guide →Solar Payback Period Calculator: How Long Until You Break Even?
The formula, the four inputs that actually move it, and worked examples for DIY and professional installs — recalculated for 2026 without the federal credit.
Read guide →DIY Solar vs Professional Installation: Real Cost Comparison
Beyond the price gap — what you are actually buying when you pay an installer, how long each route takes, and who carries the risk when something fails.
Read guide →Is Solar Still a Good Investment in 2026? An Honest Breakdown
Sometimes yes, sometimes clearly not — and the deciding factors are no longer the ones the industry emphasises. A straight answer without the sales pitch.
Read guide →Solar Panel Cost by System Size in 2026: 4kW to 12kW Compared
What each system size actually costs DIY and professionally installed, how much it produces, and which size fits which household — all without the federal credit.
Read guide →⚠️ All figures in this category are typical industry averages for planning purposes. Always confirm exact wattage against your own appliance's nameplate rating before sizing backup power.