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We serve MA, NH, CT, RI, ME, VT, NJ, PA, and TX
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The federal residential tax credit is gone, but solar still makes financial sense for most homeowners. Here’s how to tell if you qualify — and what programs can help.
You don’t need perfect credit, a south-facing roof, or a federal tax credit. You need three things:
Homeowners, or renters via lease/PPA/community solar
South, southwest, or southeast exposure preferred
You receive a monthly electric bill you want to lower
Each factor has a clear “yes” and “maybe not” threshold. Most homeowners check at least 4 of 5.
Renters and condo owners can still go solar through third-party ownership (TPO) or community solar programs.
Partial shade reduces output 20-50%, but modern microinverters handle shade far better than older string inverters. Ground-mount is always an option if your roof is unsuitable.
If your roof needs replacement soon, bundle it with solar installation. Many installers offer roof-and-solar packages.
Net metering policies vary by state. Some states offer full retail credit, others offer reduced rates. Check your state's policy below.
Income-qualified programs exist for lower-income homeowners. HEAR rebates (up to $8,000) are available regardless of credit score.
You can still benefit from solar without owning your rooftop. Here’s how:
Subscribe to a local solar farm and receive credits on your electric bill. No rooftop needed, no installation, no equipment to maintain.
A third-party company installs and owns the panels on your roof. You pay a fixed monthly rate or per-kWh price that’s lower than your utility rate. $0 down.
Learn about lease vs. PPAThe commercial ITC still exists for projects starting before July 4, 2026. Under TPO, the financing company claims the credit — not you, not the installer — and passes savings to you as lower payments.
See $0-down optionsHEAR (Home Energy Rebates) are federal rebates for heat pumps and weatherization, not solar panels directly. Each state administers its own program. Here’s the current status:
| State | HEAR Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | Active | Up to $8,000 for low-income homeowners |
| Rhode Island | Active (low-income) | Up to $18,000 income-eligible via Clean Heat RI |
| Maine | Partial | Mobile homes + affordable multifamily only. Standard single-family NOT eligible. |
| Connecticut | Pending | Expected mid-2026. ~$8,000 per household |
| New Hampshire | Pending | Spring 2026 anticipated. $34.7M allocated |
| New Jersey | Not launched | ~$183M allocated, awaiting DOE approval |
| Pennsylvania | Pending | Penn Energy Savers program in development |
| Vermont | Pending | $29.2M conditionally approved |
| Texas | Pending | SECO RFP phase. $690M allocated |
While HEAR covers heat pumps, several states have solar-specific income programs:
These state incentives exist independently of any federal tax credit. They reduce your net cost or pay you for energy produced.
| State | Upfront Incentive | Production Income | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $1,000 tax credit | SMART $0.03/kWh × 20yr | Best combined incentives |
| Rhode Island | $5,000 REF | OR REG $0.27/kWh × 15yr | Choose REF or REG, not both |
| New Jersey | $0 | ADI $85.90/MWh × 15yr | Production-based payments |
| Connecticut | $0 | $0 | High rates = faster payback |
| NH / ME / TX | $0 | $0 | Rate-driven payback only |
| Vermont | $0 | NM adjustor ~$0.04/kWh × 10yr | Small production boost |
| Pennsylvania | $0 | SRECs ~$28/MWh | Volatile market price |
We’d rather be honest upfront. If any of these apply, solar may not be the right fit — yet.
If mature trees or tall buildings block sun all day with no clearing option, solar output will be too low to justify the investment.
Removing and reinstalling panels costs $2,000-$5,000. Replace your roof first, then install solar.
If your rate is extremely low, the savings from solar are minimal. This is rare in the Northeast but common in some parts of the South.
Solar adds home value, but you need at least 3-5 years to see meaningful ROI. Exception: a TPO lease/PPA transfers to the new buyer.
Grid-tied solar is the economic sweet spot. Fully off-grid requires massive battery banks and different system design at 2-3x the cost.
Select your state and enter your monthly bill. This calculator uses current 2026 pricing with no federal tax credit.
See your estimated solar payback — with $0 federal credit
Net Cost
$25,160
after incentives
Payback
8.5 yrs
to break even
Monthly Savings
$224
year 1
25-Year Savings
$93,262
projected
Estimates based on average utility rates, 3% annual rate increase, and typical solar production for Massachusetts. Actual results vary by roof, shading, and utility.
Yes. The residential ITC (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025, but solar is still financially viable in most states. State incentives like MA's SMART program, RI's REF rebate, and NJ's ADI payments continue independently. Higher electricity rates in the Northeast also drive strong payback even without federal credits.
It depends on your financing method. Cash purchases require no credit check. Solar loans typically need a 650+ FICO score. Lease and PPA agreements (third-party ownership) usually require around 600 FICO with $0 down. Income-qualified programs like HEAR have no credit score requirements.
You cannot install rooftop panels on a rental, but you have two options: community solar programs let you subscribe to a shared solar farm and receive credits on your electric bill, and some landlords may agree to a TPO installation where a third party owns the system.
Most states have solar access laws that limit HOA restrictions on solar panels. In Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and many other states, HOAs cannot prohibit solar installations outright. They can set reasonable aesthetic guidelines (like panel placement) but cannot impose conditions that significantly increase cost or reduce efficiency.
Yes, but with reduced output. East-facing roofs produce about 80-85% of optimal (south-facing) output, and west-facing roofs produce about 80-90%. West-facing can actually be better for time-of-use rate plans since peak production aligns with afternoon peak rates. Only north-facing roofs are generally not recommended.
HEAR rebates (up to $8,000 for income-qualified homeowners) cover heat pumps and weatherization but not solar panels directly. For solar-specific low-income programs, Massachusetts offers the SMART low-income adder ($0.06/kWh), New Jersey has the CSEP community solar program, and Rhode Island's Clean Heat RI program covers comprehensive electrification. Check your state section for details.
Absolutely. Flat roofs are common on commercial buildings and some residential properties. Panels are mounted on tilted racking systems (typically 10-30 degrees) to optimize sun exposure. Flat roofs often have zero shading issues, making them excellent candidates for solar.
Owned solar panels increase home value — studies show an average of $15,000-$20,000 for a typical system. If you have a solar loan, you either pay it off at closing or transfer it. For lease/PPA systems, the agreement typically transfers to the new buyer, which some buyers view positively (lower electric bills) and others see as a complication.
In most Northeast states, yes. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey still offer strong state incentives that reduce costs significantly. Even in states without state incentives (CT, NH, ME), high electricity rates ($0.25-$0.32/kWh) mean solar pays for itself in 9-17 years depending on your specific situation. Use our calculator below to see your estimated payback.
Our instant roof analysis shows your solar potential, estimated savings, and available incentives — no commitment required.