Cash purchase
Maximum long-term savings
Highest ROI
Own the system outright
Builds home equity
Large upfront cost
Federal credit expired in 2026
ROOFTOP SOLAR
Own the panels.
Own the savings.
Important — 2026 update
The Section 25D 30% federal residential tax credit expired December 31, 2025. The information below reflects the current 2026 incentive landscape — not the pre-2026 landscape most rooftop solar sites are still showing.
What rooftop solar is
Rooftop solar — for homeowners who want to go further.
Rooftop solar means installing photovoltaic panels on your home's roof to generate electricity. A typical 6–10 kW residential system offsets 50–100% of an average home's annual electricity use and lasts 25–30 years.
The economics changed on January 1, 2026, when the 30% federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) expired. State credits, SRECs, net metering, and the Section 48E commercial credit (which installers use for leased systems) are all still in effect.
Sol Country doesn't install rooftop solar. We explain it honestly, help you figure out if it's right for your situation, and connect you with vetted local installers who compete for your business.
50–100% bill offset$15K–$30K installed25-year asset
Ownership options
Owned vs TPO (lease/PPA) — 2026
The tax credit landscape changed significantly on January 1, 2026. Here's what that means for each ownership type.
Owned (cash / loan)
Buy it outright — no federal credit in 2026
Federal credit: for 2026 owned installationsEXPIRED
State credits, SRECs, net metering, property tax exemptions — all still valid
You own the system and all production
Best long-term ROI — no ongoing payments after loan payoff
TPO (lease / PPA)
Lease or PPA — Section 48E credit through Dec 2027
Section 48E credit: available through December 31, 2027 for leased/PPA systems
Installer claims it and should pass savings to you through lower monthly payments
No upfront cost — but you don't own the system
25-year contract — can complicate home sale
The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay and whether you want the asset.
Home assessment
Is your home a good candidate?
Four questions determine whether rooftop solar makes sense for your specific situation.
Question 1 of 4
Do you own your home?
Question 2 of 4
How old is your roof?
Question 3 of 4
What direction does your roof face?
Question 4 of 4
Is your roof shaded by trees or buildings?
Financing options
Four ways to pay for rooftop solar.
Get free quotes →
Solar loan
Own the system with $0 down
Own the panels
$0 down options
Builds equity
Interest over term reduces gain
Federal credit expired in 2026
Solar lease
Simplicity, no maintenance
$0 upfront
Maintenance covered
Section 48E credit (installer) through 2027
Don't own the panels
25-year contract
Annual escalator
Power purchase agreement
Pay only for what panels produce
$0 upfront
Pay per kWh generated
Maintenance included
Don't own the panels
Rate escalator built in
Lease vs buy — 25-year math
System cost
$23,200
25-yr savings (owned)
$56,298
Cash net gain
$33,098
Loan net gain
$7,151
Lease net vs no solar
$4,409
Assumes 14.0¢/kWh · 3.4% annual rate increase (BLS historical) · 0.5%/yr panel degradation · loan at 6.99% APR / 25 yr · lease at 2% escalator · no federal credit (expired Dec 31, 2025).
Incentives in 2026
What's still available after the federal credit expired.
See incentives for your address:
Check →State tax credits
Many states (NY, MA, SC, AZ, NM, others) offer credits between 10–25% of system cost — stackable with utility rebates.
SRECs
Solar Renewable Energy Credits: in NJ, MA, DC, MD, PA, OH, IL, you earn credits per MWh generated and sell them to utilities.
Net metering
Sell excess production back to the grid at retail or near-retail rates. Rules vary by state — 38 states have some form.
Property tax exemption
Most states exempt the added home value from solar from property tax reassessment.
Utility rebates
Some utilities offer one-time rebates ($500–$2,500) on top of state programs. Often first-come, first-served.
Section 48E (TPO only)
Commercial ITC, available through Dec 31, 2027 for leased/PPA systems. Installer claims it and reduces your monthly payment.
Get started
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See what solar costs
at your address.
Sol Country partners with EnergySage to connect homeowners with vetted local installers. Get 3-5 competing quotes with no obligation — from installers who have been screened for licensing, insurance, and customer reviews. Sunrun and SunPower (Complete Solaria) are among the largest active residential solar installers in the US as of 2026.
Vetted installers
Every installer screened for licensing, insurance, and customer reviews
No obligation
Get quotes without committing to anything. No pushy sales calls.
Competing quotes
3-5 installers compete for your business — driving prices down for you
Get free quotes →
Sol Country earns a commission on referrals at no cost to you. Quotes are always free.
Solar financing
Most homeowners pay
$0 upfront.
Solar loans let you start saving immediately with no upfront cost. Monthly loan payments are typically less than your current electricity bill — you save from day one while building equity in your home.
Colorado example — 6kW system:
System cost$18,000
Federal ITC (30%)-$5,400
Net cost$12,600
Loan payment (~5%, 20yr)~$83/mo
Current Xcel bill~$120/mo
Monthly savings from day 1~$37/mo
Largest US solar lender
Goodleap
America's largest solar lender. Fixed rates from 2.99%. Pre-qualify in under 2 minutes with no hard credit pull. Available in all 50 states.
RatesFrom 2.99% APR
Terms5, 10, 15, 20, 25 years
Pre-qualifyNo hard credit pull
StatesAll 50
Clean energy specialist
Mosaic
Solar loans in 30+ states. Strong rates for Colorado and California customers. Mosaic specializes exclusively in clean energy financing.
RatesFrom 3.99% APR
States30+ states
SpecialtySolar + storage only
Pre-qualifying does not affect your credit score. Sol Country earns a commission on funded loans at no cost to you.
Not sure rooftop is right for you?
Find My Power analyzes your address and compares all six energy paths — not just rooftop solar.
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