Analysis — The 2026 tax-credit reset
Solar decisions, explained without the sales pitch
The 30% federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after January 1, 2026 — the biggest shift in U.S. solar economics in over a decade. ClearWatt breaks down what that actually means: current cost per watt by system size, which state and utility incentives still apply where you live, how net metering changes your payback math, and whether a home battery is worth adding at today's equipment prices. Every figure traces back to EIA, DSIRE, or IRS guidance and carries a date — run your own numbers below before you sit down with an installer.
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Browse by topic
Guides are organized into six areas homeowners actually search for: costs and payback, incentives and policy, how the equipment and installation process works, battery backup, buying without getting oversold — including red flags in an installer's pitch — and situations that don't fit the standard case, like small or shaded roofs. Start with how solar panels actually work if you're new to this, or pick a category below.
- Incentives, Rebates & PolicyFederal and state solar incentives change often, and 2026 brought the biggest shift in over a decade when the 30% federal residential tax credit expired. This section tracks what rebates, credits, and net metering rules actually apply to homeowners right now.
- State Solar Rebate Programs Still Funded in 2026 (And Which Ones Just Closed)
- Federal Solar Tax Credit 2026: What Changed and What You Can Still Claim
- Is Solar Still Worth It in 2026? (After the Federal Tax Credit Ended)
- Solar Costs & SavingsReal numbers on what solar panels cost, how fast they pay for themselves, and how much you can expect to save on electricity bills, broken down by system size and location.
- Solar Panel Maintenance Costs: What to Budget For Each Year
- Solar Panel Payback Period: How to Calculate It With Your Own Numbers
- How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in 2026? Full Price Breakdown by System Size
- Buying, Financing & InstallationHow to actually go solar: comparing loans, leases, and power purchase agreements, vetting installers, and understanding the installation process from quote to activation.
- Solar Loan vs. Lease vs. PPA: Which Financing Option Makes Sense in 2026?
- Solar Installer Red Flags: Warning Signs Federal and State Regulators Have Documented
- Solar Financing With Bad Credit: What Actually Works, and What PACE Financing Really Costs
- How Solar Works & EquipmentThe fundamentals: how photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electricity, the equipment involved, and what actually affects a system’s efficiency and lifespan.
- Solar Panel Efficiency Explained: What the Percentage Actually Means
- How Do Solar Panels Work? A Complete Guide for Homeowners
- Bifacial Solar Panels Explained: Do They Make Sense for a Home Roof?
- Battery Storage & Backup PowerWhether a home battery makes sense alongside solar panels, what they cost, and how they hold up during grid outages.
- Home Battery Storage 101: Do You Need One With Your Solar Panels?
- Battery Backup vs. Generator for Home: Cost and Tradeoffs Compared
- Tesla Powerwall vs. Enphase vs. FranklinWH: Home Battery Comparison
- Solar for Specific SituationsSolar guidance for homes that do not fit the standard case: renters, small or shaded roofs, HOAs, mobile homes, RVs, and cabins.
- Selling a House With Leased Solar Panels: What to Expect
- Solar Panels for a Flat Roof: What's Different, What It Costs, and What to Check
- Solar Panels for Condo Owners: What's Actually Possible in 2026
About this site
How ClearWatt is put together
34 in-depth guides, each citing primary sources — EIA, DSIRE, IRS guidance, NREL, and manufacturer documentation — rather than restating what other sites say. We're not an installer or a lead-generation site: monetization is display advertising only, so there's no incentive to oversell a system. See the full research methodology and editorial standards every article is held to.