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Guided Workflow

Step 7 of 7. Follow the sequence to turn a rough idea into a homeowner-ready solar plan.

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  1. 1Size
  2. 2Production
  3. 3Savings
  4. 4Payback
  5. 5Financing
  6. 6Compare
  7. 7Incentives

Solar Incentive Finder

Find the federal, state, and utility incentives that cut the cost of going solar.

2 incentives found for DC (plus federal).

How to stack solar incentives and maximize your savings

The sticker price of a solar system is rarely what you actually pay. Between state programs, utility rebates, and tax exemptions, a well-informed homeowner can still shave a meaningful share off the gross cost. The trick is knowing which programs you qualify for and how they interact — that is what this finder is built to do.

The biggest change for 2026 is at the federal level: the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) that anchored solar deals for over a decade expired on December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill, so homeowner-owned systems bought in 2026 no longer receive it. That makes state and utility programs more important than ever. Your state may layer a tax credit (New York and Arizona offer generous ones), a performance payment such as New Jersey’s SREC-II or Massachusetts’ SMART program, or valuable property- and sales-tax exemptions that keep your tax bill flat even as your home value rises. And if you go with a lease or PPA, the provider can still claim the commercial 48E credit and pass part of it through your pricing.

Don’t overlook your utility. Companies like Duke Energy and various California utilities run their own rebates, often on first-come budgets that empty quickly. And because the value of the energy you export hinges on net-metering policy, we show your state’s rule right alongside the incentives so you can size and finance your system realistically. Select your state above to begin.

Frequently asked questions

What solar incentives can I get?

As of 2026, the 30% federal homeowner tax credit has ended (it expired Dec 31, 2025), but many states still add rebates, tax credits, property- and sales-tax exemptions, and performance payments like SRECs. Utilities may offer their own rebates, and leases/PPAs can still capture federal value. Select your state above to see what applies.

How does net metering affect my savings?

Net metering sets how much you are credited for solar energy you export to the grid. Full retail net metering credits each exported kWh at your retail rate; newer net-billing tariffs credit less. Your state’s policy is shown alongside the incentives.

Is there still a federal solar tax credit in 2026?

Not for homeowner-owned systems. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill. Systems placed in service through 2025 still qualify and the credit was non-refundable but could be carried forward. For 2026, only third-party-owned leases and PPAs can still capture federal value, via the commercial 48E credit.

How current is this incentive data?

We curate from DSIRE and public utility tariffs and refresh the database regularly. Each record shows when it was last verified. Always confirm details with the program administrator before relying on them.

Do incentives stack?

State and utility incentives still stack with each other. Historically the federal credit stacked with them too (though some rebates reduced its basis); with the federal homeowner credit gone in 2026, state and utility programs are now the main savings stack for owners. Consult a tax professional for your situation.