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Plain answers on home solar and batteries
Home Solar and Battery Guide for 2026
Home solar can still pay off in 2026, but less automatically than before. The 30% federal credit for buyers ended after 2025, and many utilities now pay less for exported power. Whether it works for you depends on your rates, sunshine and price per watt. This guide and our free calculators help you check the numbers before you sign.
Status as of October 2026
EndedFederal 25D homeowner tax credit: no credit for systems completed after Dec 31, 2025.
OpenLeases and PPAs: the owner can still claim a business credit on qualifying systems and may pass savings on.
CheckExport credits: many utilities now pay less than retail for the solar you send to the grid.
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Cost & Savings Are Solar Panels Worth It? A 2026 Reality Check Without the Tax Credit
Are solar panels worth it in 2026 now the 30% tax credit is gone? See real payback math by state, the export credit effect and when solar doesn't pay.
- Batteries & BackupAre Solar Batteries Worth It? What a Home Battery Really Saves in 2026
- Net Metering & RatesCalifornia NEM 3.0 in 2026: How Net Billing Changes Solar Savings
- Incentives & Tax CreditsFederal Solar Tax Credit 2026: The 30% Credit Ended. Here's What Still Applies
- Batteries & BackupHome Battery Backup: What It Powers, How Long It Lasts and What It Costs in 2026
- Cost & SavingsHow Long Do Solar Panels Last? Lifespan, Degradation and What Wears Out First
Calculators homeowners use most
All tools (18) →Each one shows its formula, assumptions and a worked example.
Solar Payback Calculator
Find how many years solar takes to pay for itself, and your 25-year return.
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?
Size a solar system from your electric bill or yearly kWh.
Solar Panel Cost Calculator
Estimate the price of a home solar system, with or without a battery, in 2026.
Solar Battery Size Calculator
Work out how many kWh of battery you need to keep chosen circuits running in an outage.
NEM 3.0 Calculator (California)
Estimate California Net Billing Tariff savings with and without a battery.
Solar Lease vs Buy Calculator
Compare cash, loan, lease and PPA over 25 years side by side.
Solar Tax Credit Calculator
Check whether the federal 25D credit applies to your system and how much carries forward.
Check before you sign
Solar & Battery Guide is an independent, reader-supported publication for US homeowners who want to understand home solar and battery storage before they talk to a salesperson. We do not sell systems and we do not take referral fees. Everything here is written from primary sources such as the IRS, the Department of Energy, NREL, EIA and state utility regulators, and each guide shows the date we checked them.
What changed in 2026
Two things reshaped the math. First, the 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems whose installation was completed after December 31, 2025, as the IRS explains in its energy credit FAQs (opens in a new tab). Our federal solar tax credit guide explains what that means for buyers, leases and PPAs as of October 2026.
Second, more utilities have moved from net metering to net billing, which pays less for the power you send back. California's rules are the best-known example; our California NEM 3.0 guide walks through them, and our net metering explainer covers the basics for every state.
Where to start
If you are asking the big question, begin with are solar panels worth it. It shows how price per watt, local rates and export credits combine into a payback period. Then check what a fair quote looks like in how much solar panels cost.
Thinking about storage? Read whether solar batteries are worth it and our guide to home battery backup for outages.
Deciding how to pay? Compare cash, loans, leases and PPAs in solar lease vs PPA vs loan, and before you sign anything, read how to choose a solar installer and the solar sales red flags we see most often.
Run your own numbers
Our free solar calculators run entirely in your browser and show their formulas and default assumptions. A few good first steps:
- Estimate your system size with how many solar panels do I need.
- Price it in the solar panel cost calculator.
- See bill savings with the solar savings calculator, then the break-even year in the solar payback calculator.
- Compare quotes fairly with the solar cost per watt calculator.
How we keep it trustworthy
Every guide lists its sources, and every calculator explains how it works. When a rule changes, we update the affected pages and record the change. You can read how we work in our editorial policy and methodology, and you can report a mistake through our corrections page.
Common questions about home solar
Is solar still worth it after the federal tax credit ended?
For many homeowners it still is, but the margin is thinner. As of October 2026, the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) does not apply to systems whose installation was completed after December 31, 2025, so buyers now pay the full price. Solar tends to make the most sense where electricity is expensive, sunshine is strong and your utility credits exports fairly. Run your own figures in our solar payback calculator before deciding.
How much does a home solar system cost?
A typical quote is priced per watt, so multiply the price per watt by the system size. Our calculators default to $3.00 per watt as a starting point, which puts a 7 kW system at about $21,000 before any rebates, but local quotes vary widely. Get at least three written quotes and compare them on price per watt, equipment and warranties.
What is the difference between net metering and net billing?
Under classic net metering, each kWh you send to the grid earns roughly the same credit as a kWh you buy. Under net billing, exports earn a lower credit, often based on the utility's avoided cost, while imports still cost the full retail rate. Net billing rewards using more of your solar power at home, which is one reason batteries have become more common.
Can I still get a federal credit with a lease or PPA?
You cannot claim it yourself, but the company that owns the system may. As of October 2026, third-party owners can still claim the business credit under section 48E if they meet construction and placed-in-service deadlines and sourcing rules. Ask any lease or PPA provider in writing how that credit is reflected in your monthly price.
Do I need a battery with solar panels?
No, most grid-tied systems work without one. A battery helps when your utility pays little for exports, when time-of-use rates make evening power expensive, or when you want backup during outages. It adds significant cost, so compare the savings and backup value against the price with our battery calculators.
How long does solar take to pay for itself?
Payback commonly ranges from under 10 years to more than 15, depending on price, rates and export rules. With our payback calculator's default inputs ($21,000 system, $1,700 first-year savings, 3% yearly rate increases) the payback is about 11.4 years. Your own numbers can move that by years in either direction.
Does this site sell solar or take installer referral fees?
No. We do not install or sell solar equipment and we take no referral fees from installers or lenders. If we ever add affiliate links or advertising, they will be clearly labeled and explained on our advertising disclosure page.
Are your calculator results financial advice?
No. Our tools give educational estimates based on the inputs you enter and the defaults we document. They are not financial, tax, legal or engineering advice, so confirm important numbers with your utility, a tax professional and a licensed installer.