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Get a Free QuoteFederal 25C and 25D tax credits expired December 31, 2025. With no federal credits available, Pennsylvania's Keystone HELP program — low-interest loans up to $20,000 — is now one of the most important financing tools for PA homeowners pursuing solar and heat pumps.
Max Loan
$20,000
Recently expanded from $15K
Rate Type
Fixed
No variable-rate risk
Prepayment Penalty
$0
Pay off early anytime
Home Equity Required
None
Unsecured personal loan
Federal 25C and 25D tax credits both expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Budget Act (OBBBA). PA homeowners who purchase solar or heat pumps in 2026 receive $0 in federal tax credits. State financing (Keystone HELP) and utility rebates are now your primary tools.
Keystone HELP (Home Energy Loan Program) is Pennsylvania's state-sponsored energy efficiency loan program, administered through AFC First Financial Corporation. It provides low-interest, fixed-rate, unsecured loans to Pennsylvania homeowners for a wide range of home energy improvements.
The program is particularly valuable in 2026 because it fills the void left by the expiration of federal 25C and 25D tax credits. Previously, homeowners could combine Keystone HELP financing with a $2,000 federal heat pump credit (25C) or a 30% solar credit (25D). In 2026, those federal credits are $0 — making Keystone HELP financing even more important as a standalone tool.
Air source, mini-split, and geothermal. Single largest improvement type.
Available rebates: PECO: $200-300+ EAP | PPL: $350-450 | Duquesne: $200 | FirstEnergy: up to $500
Rooftop and small ground-mount residential solar. No federal 25D credit since 12/31/2025.
Available rebates: SREC income $35-45/MWh | Net metering 1:1
Attic, wall, and basement insulation. Air sealing. Critical for heat pump efficiency.
Available rebates: PECO/PPL rebates may apply; check utility program
ENERGY STAR certified replacement windows and exterior doors only.
Available rebates: Some utility weatherization programs; no federal credit in 2026
ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters. 2-4x more efficient than electric resistance.
Available rebates: PECO: $300 | PPL: $400 | Duquesne: $300 | FirstEnergy: $500
Standard gas furnace replacement does not qualify — must be heat pump or efficiency upgrade.
Keystone HELP offers competitive fixed rates well below typical personal loans and credit cards. The program was recently expanded to increase the maximum loan amount to $20,000 — up from the prior $15,000 ceiling — to better accommodate combined solar + heat pump projects.
Loan Amount
$1,000 – $20,000
Interest Rate
Fixed (contact AFC First for current rate)
Term
1 to 10 years
Home Equity Required
None — unsecured loan
Prepayment Penalty
$0 — pay off anytime
Application Fee
$0 — no cost to apply
Keystone HELP rates are set periodically by AFC First Financial and the Pennsylvania Treasury. Rates change based on market conditions. For the current rate, call AFC First at (800) 315-0110 or visit afc1.com. Do not rely on rates quoted more than 30 days ago — always confirm current terms before applying.
PA homeowners going solar in 2026 have several financing options. Keystone HELP competes with solar-specific loan products from companies like GreenSky, Mosaic, and Sunrun Finance. Here is an honest comparison.
| Feature | Keystone HELP | Solar Loan (GreenSky/Mosaic) |
|---|---|---|
| Interest rate | Low fixed (call AFC First) | 5.99-9.99% APR (with dealer fee baked in) |
| Dealer / origination fee | $0 | $0 listed, but dealer fee (up to 12%) increases effective rate |
| Max loan amount | $20,000 | $10,000-$150,000+ |
| Maximum term | 10 years | 10-25 years (lower monthly payments) |
| Home equity required | No | No |
| Covers heat pump + solar together | Yes (single loan) | Sometimes (solar only from some lenders) |
| Covers insulation, windows, HVAC | Yes | No (solar equipment only) |
| Prepayment penalty | None | None (for most) |
| Application time | 1-3 business days | Often same-day approval |
| Contractor network required | Must use Keystone HELP contractor | Any licensed contractor |
Keystone HELP is one of the easier energy financing programs to access in Pennsylvania. Unlike grants (which require extensive documentation and competitive scoring), the loan application is credit-based and can be completed in days.
Your contractor must be registered with the Keystone HELP program. Many PA solar installers and HVAC contractors are registered. You can also ask your preferred contractor to register — it is a simple process for them.
Obtain a written quote from your contractor itemizing equipment, labor, permits, and any additional work. The loan is sized to the project cost, so you need an accurate quote before applying.
Apply at afc1.com or call AFC First at (800) 315-0110. You will need your Social Security number, income documentation, and project quote. Credit check is conducted. Approval typically takes 1-3 business days.
Work with your contractor to schedule and complete the installation. The loan must be funded within 90 days of approval. Keep all project documentation.
After project completion and verification, AFC First disburses loan funds directly to your contractor. You begin monthly payments on your fixed-rate loan. No payments are due during the project period.
Keystone HELP financing is fully compatible with Pennsylvania utility heat pump and solar rebates. With no federal credits available in 2026, the combination of Keystone HELP low-rate financing plus utility rebates is the most powerful tool available to PA homeowners.
| Utility | HP Rebate | EAP Bonus | HPWH | Service Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECO (SE PA) | $200-$300 | Up to +$1,400 | $300 | Philadelphia metro |
| PPL Electric | $350-$450 | Not available | $400 | Central/Eastern PA |
| Duquesne Light | $200 | Not available | $300 | Pittsburgh |
| Met-Ed | Up to $500 | Not available | $500 | Reading/York |
| Penelec | Up to $500 | Not available | $500 | Erie/State College |
| West Penn Power | Up to $500 | Not available | $500 | Greensburg area |
PECO EAP bonus applies to income-qualifying customers. All rebates subject to program availability and annual funding caps. Rebates are separate from Keystone HELP loan and do not affect loan eligibility.
*Monthly payment estimate depends on current Keystone HELP rate. Contact AFC First for exact terms. Monthly energy savings typically exceed loan payment.
Keystone HELP (Home Energy Loan Program) is a low-interest energy efficiency loan program for Pennsylvania homeowners, administered by AFC First Financial Corporation in partnership with the Pennsylvania Treasury and DEP. The program provides fixed-rate, unsecured personal loans for qualifying energy improvements including heat pumps, solar panels, insulation, windows, HVAC systems, and water heaters. Loans are available up to $20,000 (recently expanded) with competitive fixed interest rates and no prepayment penalty.
Keystone HELP covers a wide range of home energy improvements: heat pumps (air source and geothermal), heat pump water heaters, central air conditioning, insulation and air sealing, replacement windows and doors (must be ENERGY STAR certified), solar photovoltaic systems, solar water heating, energy monitoring systems, and qualifying HVAC system upgrades. The key requirement is that the improvement must result in a meaningful reduction in home energy consumption.
Keystone HELP offers fixed interest rates that are significantly below typical unsecured personal loan or credit card rates. Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $20,000. Terms range from 1-10 years depending on loan size and project type. There is no prepayment penalty, no points, no application fee, and no home equity required — the loan is unsecured. Interest rates are set by AFC First and the Pennsylvania Treasury periodically; contact AFC First (800-315-0110) for current rates.
Keystone HELP is available to Pennsylvania homeowners who: own their primary residence in Pennsylvania, have adequate income to repay the loan (credit check required), are financing a qualifying energy improvement listed in the program guidelines, and work with an approved Keystone HELP contractor. Rental property owners and commercial properties do not qualify. The program requires that improvements be installed by a contractor who is registered with the Keystone HELP program.
Solar-specific loans from solar companies (GreenSky, Mosaic, etc.) typically charge 5.99-9.99% APR with term lengths of 10-25 years — but many have origination fees (dealer fees) that effectively increase the rate. Keystone HELP offers comparable or lower rates with no dealer fee, making it potentially cheaper for combined solar + heat pump projects where a single loan covers both. For a pure solar purchase, solar-specific loans may offer longer terms (20-25 years vs. 10 years for HELP) reducing monthly payments. Do the math for your specific situation.
Yes. Keystone HELP is a loan — it does not restrict you from also receiving rebates from your electric utility. PECO customers can receive $200-$300 in heat pump rebates (plus up to $1,400 in EAP bonuses), PPL Electric offers $350-$450, Duquesne Light offers $200, and FirstEnergy companies offer up to $500. These rebates reduce your effective loan balance or can be used to pay down the loan principal early (no prepayment penalty). Utility rebates are typically issued as account credits or checks after installation.
Section 25C (energy efficiency tax credit, including heat pumps up to $2,000) and Section 25D (residential solar ITC up to 30%) both expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Budget Act. As of 2026, there are NO federal tax credits for homeowners who purchase solar or heat pumps with cash or loans. Keystone HELP does not restore these credits — it simply provides low-interest financing for the out-of-pocket cost. For many PA homeowners, utility rebates stacked with Keystone HELP financing is now the complete incentive picture.
The Keystone HELP application is straightforward compared to grant programs: (1) Choose a Keystone HELP-approved contractor for your project. (2) Get a project quote from the contractor. (3) Apply online at afc1.com or call AFC First at 800-315-0110. Credit check is conducted. (4) If approved, loan funds are disbursed directly to your contractor after project completion and verification. Total time from application to approval: typically 1-3 business days. Project must be completed within 90 days of loan approval.
All PA utility heat pump rebates under Act 129 Phase IV. PECO up to $1,700+ with EAP. PPL, Duquesne, and FirstEnergy rebates.
How PA solar economics work without the 25D credit. SRECs, net metering, and honest payback calculations.
Full comparison of solar financing options for PA homeowners in 2026. Which makes sense without the 25D credit.
What incentives remain for PA homeowners after 25D expiration: SRECs, net metering, utility programs.
NuWatt works with Keystone HELP-approved contractors across Pennsylvania. We can help you design a solar or heat pump project sized to maximize your Keystone HELP loan and available utility rebates.
Federal 25C and 25D tax credits expired December 31, 2025. Keystone HELP loans are available now with no application fee.