Solar guides
Straight answers to the questions that decide whether solar pays off, and the ones salespeople would rather skip. 44 guides, updated October 2026.
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Deciding on solar
Is Solar Worth It in 2026? An Honest Answer Without the Tax Credit
Is solar worth it in 2026 now that the 30% tax credit is gone? See what makes solar pay, who should skip it, and three worked examples with real numbers.
Tax credits and incentivesWhat Happened to the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit? The 2026 Rules
The 30% solar tax credit ended for homeowner systems installed after Dec 31, 2025. See the exact rule, carryforwards, the lease loophole and the quote red flag.
Leases and PPAsSolar Lease vs. Buy vs. PPA vs. Loan: A 25-Year Comparison for 2026
Cash, loan, lease or PPA? A 25-year worked example with real 2026 numbers, who gets the 30% credit now, and when a lease or PPA actually beats buying.
Deciding on solar
- Is Solar Worth It in 2026? An Honest Answer Without the Tax CreditIs solar worth it in 2026 now that the 30% tax credit is gone? See what makes solar pay, who should skip it, and three worked examples with real numbers.
- How Many Solar Panels Do I Need? Sizing a System the Right WayFind how many solar panels you need from 12 months of kWh usage, local sun and roof space, and why covering 100% of your bill isn't always best on net billing.
- Solar and EV Charging: Does an Electric Car Change the Math?How an EV changes solar sizing and savings, when charging from your panels pays off, how TOU rates and net billing affect it, and whether to plan for an EV.
- Solar for Retirees: Is It Worth It on a Fixed Income?Solar for retirees in 2026: payback vs how long you'll stay, tax credit limits, leases and your estate, scams that target seniors, and your cancellation rights.
Costs and financing
- How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in 2026? Real Prices by SizeSolar panels cost about $2.60 to $3.00 per watt in 2026 before incentives, or $18,000 to $30,000 for most homes. See prices by size, batteries and quotes.
- Solar Payback Period: How to Calculate It Honestly in 2026How to calculate solar payback the right way, why sales quotes show shorter paybacks, and what is realistic in 2026 without the tax credit, with an example.
- What Is a Good Price per Watt for Solar in 2026?A good 2026 solar price is about $2.60 to $3.00 per watt before incentives. Learn how to calculate $/W, what counts as high, and how dealer fees distort it.
- How to Compare Solar Quotes: A Step-by-Step ChecklistCompare solar quotes the right way: normalize to price per watt and lifetime cost per kWh, check production against PVWatts, read warranties, spot red flags.
- Solar Financing Options Compared: Cash, Loans, Leases, PPAs and PACECompare every way to pay for solar in 2026: cash, HELOC, dealer-fee solar loans, personal loans, PACE, leases, PPAs and prepaid leases, with true costs.
- Solar Loan Dealer Fees: The Hidden 10-30% in Low-APR LoansThat 1.99% or 3.99% solar loan likely hides a dealer fee of 10-30% of the price. Here's how to find it, back-solve it, and work out the loan's true APR.
Tax credits and incentives
Leases and PPAs
- Solar Lease vs. Buy vs. PPA vs. Loan: A 25-Year Comparison for 2026Cash, loan, lease or PPA? A 25-year worked example with real 2026 numbers, who gets the 30% credit now, and when a lease or PPA actually beats buying.
- Is a Solar Lease a Bad Idea? When It Is, When It Isn'tA solar lease isn't always a bad deal, but escalators, transfer rules and buyout terms can make it one. Here's how to tell, with the math and questions to ask.
- Solar Escalator Clauses Explained: What 2.9% a Year Really CostsA 2.9% solar lease escalator nearly doubles your payment in 25 years. See the compounding table, how it compares to utility rate history, and how to negotiate.
- Solar Lease Buyout: How It's Priced and When It's Worth ItHow solar lease buyouts are priced (fair market value vs. schedules), a worked example to test any quote, and when buying out makes sense, such as at a home sale.
Net metering and rates
- Net Metering Explained: How Your Utility Pays for Solar (and Why It Matters So Much)Net metering vs net billing vs avoided cost vs buy-all, explained with numbers. See how one solar system can pay back in 12 years or 21 depending on the rules.
- California Net Billing (NEM 3.0): How It Works and Whether Solar Still PaysCalifornia's Net Billing Tariff credits exports at about 4 cents. How ACC values, the 9-year lock and mandatory TOU work, and when solar still makes sense.
- Time-of-Use Rates and Solar: How Timing Changes Your SavingsTime-of-use rates charge more in the evening, just as solar output fades. How TOU changes solar savings, when a battery helps, and how to pick a rate plan.
Batteries and backup
- Do Solar Batteries Pay Off? An Honest Look at the NumbersA home battery costs about $15,000 with no federal credit for owners in 2026. See when it pays back (low export credits, TOU, VPPs) and when it never will.
- Best Home Batteries in 2026: How to Compare Powerwall, Enphase, FranklinWH and MoreCompare major home batteries by usable kWh, continuous power, chemistry and warranty. No paid rankings, just the specs that matter and how to choose one.
- Generator vs Battery Backup: Which Is Right for Your Home?Standby generator, home battery or portable power station? Compare cost, runtime, fuel, noise and maintenance, and match backup to the outages you actually get.
Equipment
- Off-Grid vs Grid-Tied vs Hybrid Solar: Which Makes Sense?Grid-tied solar is cheapest but goes dark in outages. Hybrid adds a battery. Off-grid needs days of storage and a generator. What each costs and who it suits.
- Best Solar Panels in 2026: Does the Brand Really Matter?Installer quality matters more than panel brand. See which specs count, Kiwa PVEL's 2026 Top Performers, and which panel makers have exited or are in distress.
- Microinverters vs String Inverters vs Optimizers: Which Should You Choose?Enphase micros, SolarEdge optimizers or a string inverter like Tesla's? Compare shade handling, monitoring, rapid shutdown, warranties and replacement costs.
- Solar Panel Lifespan and Warranties: What's Actually CoveredPanels last 25 to 30+ years, but warranties cover less than you think. How degradation works and what product, workmanship and roof warranties really cover.
Your roof and home
- Solar Panels, Property Taxes and Homeowners InsuranceWill solar raise your property taxes or insurance? Which states exempt solar from property tax, how insurers cover panels, roof warranty risks, and claims tips.
- Should I Replace My Roof Before Installing Solar?Should you replace your roof before solar? Roof life by material, what removing and reinstalling panels later costs, and a simple rule based on years left.
- Can My HOA Stop Me From Installing Solar? Solar Access Laws ExplainedMany states limit HOA solar bans, but HOAs can still set placement and appearance rules. See which states protect you and how to get your project approved.
- Hail, Hurricanes, Snow and Heat: How Durable Are Solar Panels?How solar panels handle hail, hurricanes, snow and heat, what panel ratings mean, how insurance treats solar, and when cleaning is worth it (usually not).
Selling or buying a home
- Selling a House With Solar Panels: Owned, Financed or LeasedSelling a house with solar? What happens if you own the panels, still owe a loan (payoff, UCC-1), or have a lease or PPA to transfer, plus documents and timing.
- Buying a House With Leased Solar Panels: What to Check FirstBuying a home with leased solar? Check the payment, escalator, production and buyout terms, plan for credit approval, and talk to your lender early about it.
- Does Solar Increase Home Value? An Honest Look at the StudiesDoes solar increase home value? What the LBNL ~$4/W and Zillow 4.1% studies really show, why they're dated, owned vs. leased, and how appraisers value panels.
Scams and sales tactics
- Solar Scams: How to Spot Them and Where to Report ThemThe most common solar scams and deceptive sales tactics in 2026, how to protect yourself before you sign, and exactly where to report a bad solar company.
- Door-to-Door Solar Salesman at Your Door? What to Do and SayA solar salesperson knocked. What to say, what never to hand over (your bill, account number, tablet signature) and how the 3-day cooling-off rule works.
- Is "Free Solar" or a "Government Solar Program" Real?"Free solar" pitches are usually 20 to 25 year leases, PPAs or loans. What's real in 2026, including Solar for All, and how to verify any program yourself.
- How to Cancel a Solar Contract (Cooling-Off Rules and a Template Letter)How to cancel a solar contract: the federal 3-business-day rule, longer state windows like California's for seniors, a template letter, and late options.
For solar owners
- My Solar Company Went Out of Business: What Happens Now?Solar installer or lender went bankrupt? What happens to warranties, loans, leases and monitoring, who services Sunnova and SunPower systems, and what to do.
- Why Is My Electric Bill Still High With Solar?Electric bill still high with solar? Usual causes: fixed charges, low export credits, no PTO yet, higher usage, true-ups or a broken system. Find yours.
- Is My Solar System Working? How to Check Your ProductionHow to tell if solar panels are working: compare production to a PVWatts estimate, read your monitoring app, decode inverter errors and allow for seasons.
- Solar Interconnection and PTO: Why It Takes So Long and What to AskThe steps from signing a solar contract to Permission to Operate (PTO), what slows each one, why loan payments before PTO hurt, and what to ask installers.
Alternatives to rooftop solar
- Efficiency Before Solar: Cheaper Ways to Cut Your Electric Bill FirstBefore spending $20,000+ on solar, try cheaper fixes: LEDs, a smart thermostat, air sealing, a heat pump water heater, a better rate plan and an energy monitor.
- Community Solar: Is It Legit, and Is It Worth It?Community solar can save 5-15% on part of your electric bill with no panels or upfront cost. How it works, where it's offered, contract terms, and scams to avoid.
- Plug-In Balcony Solar: Is It Legal, Safe and Worth It?Plug-in balcony solar kits are cheap and simple but legal only in some states. Realistic output and savings, safety and utility rules, and when it beats rooftop.
- DIY Solar vs Professional Installation: Is Doing It Yourself Worth It?DIY solar can cut costs, but you still need permits, inspections and utility approval. Compare savings and risks, and see when DIY makes sense vs a pro.