Rooftop Solar

For homeowners who
want to go further.

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Rooftop solar

Rooftop solar — for homeowners
who want to go further.

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.

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 is a permanent installation of 12–30 panels on your home's roof. The system feeds your home directly and exports surplus power to the grid for credits. A typical install offsets 50–100% of your electricity bill.

Costs run $15,000–$30,000 in 2026 (the federal Section 25D credit for owned systems expired Dec 31, 2025). Installation takes 1–3 days, plus a few weeks for permits and utility approval. You can own the system outright, finance it, or use a TPO/lease.

At the end, you have a 25-year asset that produces power for essentially free, raises your home's value, and locks in your electricity rate against future utility hikes.

Ownership models

Owned vs TPO (lease/PPA) —
2026.

OWNED (CASH/LOAN)
Buy it outright — no federal credit in 2026
•Federal credit: EXPIRED for 2026 owned installations
•State credits, SRECs, net metering, property tax exemptions — all still valid
•You own the system and all production
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; you don't own the system
Assessment

Is your home a good
candidate?

Do you own your home?
How old is your roof?
What direction does your roof face?
Is your roof shaded by trees or buildings?
What's your monthly electricity bill?
Are you planning to stay in this home for 7+ years?
Quotes

How EnergySage
works.

01
Tell EnergySage about your home (5 minutes).
02
Receive 3–7 competing quotes from vetted local installers.
03
Compare side-by-side and choose the right installer for you.

Sol Country earns a referral fee when you request quotes through our link. Your quotes are completely free.

Incentives

Rooftop solar + battery
incentives.

Federal tax credit update (important)

The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It is NOT available for rooftop solar systems installed in 2026 or later.

What IS still available:
  • The Section 48E commercial credit remains available through December 31, 2027 for leased systems and PPAs — the leasing company claims it and passes savings to you through lower payments.
  • State tax credits and rebates remain fully available.
  • Battery storage incentives through state programs remain active in many states.
Source: IRS OBBBA FAQ, IRS.gov, updated July 2025.
How are you planning to finance your rooftop solar?
Expired
Section 25D (30% credit)

Expired December 31, 2025. Not available for 2026 installations.

Good news

Solar is still a strong investment without the federal credit. Payback periods have extended by 3–5 years in most markets, but long-term savings from rising utility rates still make rooftop solar financially compelling in most states.

State incentives — —

Enter your state above to see local incentives.

Net metering

Check your utility for current net metering policy

Home value increase

Solar adds approximately 4% to your home's value for owned systems. On a home valued at $400,000: ~$16,000 added value. Source: Zillow Research, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Battery storage incentives in 2026

Federal
Owned: None — 25D expired
TPO/leased: 48E through 2032 (installer claims)
State programs
No major battery programs on file for your state.
VPP programs
Some utilities pay you to enroll your battery in their grid program. Check with your utility for VPP availability.

Sol Country does not provide tax or legal advice. Incentive information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect your specific circumstances. Consult a qualified tax professional before making decisions based on anticipated incentives. Information reflects our understanding of current law as of May 2026 and is subject to change. Federal incentive data: IRS.gov, IRS OBBBA FAQ. State incentive data: DSIRE (NC Clean Energy Technology Center, funded by US DOE).

Compare

Rooftop vs
balcony.

BALCONY SOLAR
•Cost: $800–$2,800
•Bill offset: 5–15%
•Install: DIY or 1 hour
•Take it when you move: Yes
ROOFTOP SOLAR
•Cost: $10,000–$25,000
•Bill offset: 50–100%
•Install: Professional (1–3 days)
•Permanent: Yes

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