Disclaimer

Solar & Battery Guide publishes educational information about home solar panels, battery storage, utility rules, incentives and financing for US homeowners. Please read this disclaimer before relying on anything on the site.

Not professional advice

Nothing on this site is financial, investment, tax, legal, electrical, structural or engineering advice. Reading our guides or using our calculators does not create an advisor, fiduciary, attorney-client or any other professional relationship.

• Tax. We explain federal and state tax rules in general terms, with links to the IRS and state agencies. Whether you qualify for a credit or deduction depends on your own situation. Ask a qualified tax professional, and rely on official IRS guidance.
• Legal and contracts. We describe common contract terms and consumer protections. We cannot interpret your contract. For that, consult an attorney or your state's consumer protection office.
• Financial. Payback periods, savings and loan figures are illustrations. They are not a recommendation to buy, lease, finance or decline any product.
• Engineering and safety. Roof condition, structural capacity, electrical panel upgrades, fire code setbacks and battery placement must be assessed by licensed professionals and approved by your local authority. Never attempt electrical work yourself unless you are qualified.

Calculator estimates

Our calculators produce estimates from the inputs you enter and from default assumptions documented on each tool page, such as average electricity prices from EIA and solar output figures based on NREL PVWatts. Real results depend on many things the tools do not see, including:

• shading, roof direction and tilt, and local weather;
• your exact utility tariff, fixed charges, minimum bills and future rate changes;
• equipment performance, outages and maintenance;
• financing terms, fees and escalators in your contract;
• changes in law and incentive programs.

Treat results as a starting point for questions to ask, not as a promise of savings.

Rules change

Incentives, tax rules and net metering policies change, sometimes quickly. For example, as of October 2026 the 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) does not apply to home systems whose installation was completed after December 31, 2025. We date time-sensitive facts with "as of" and review pages regularly, but a rule may change before we update a page. Always confirm current rules with the official source we link to, your utility and your tax professional.

No endorsements

We do not install, sell, lease or finance solar or batteries, and we take no referral fees. Mentioning an equipment type, a manufacturer or a government program is not an endorsement of any company. We do not rate or recommend individual installers or lenders.

External links

We link to official sources such as federal agencies, national laboratories and state regulators so you can check our work. We are not responsible for the content or availability of those sites.

Errors

We work hard to be accurate, but errors can happen. If you find one, please report it through our corrections process. Our terms of use set out the limits of our liability.

Questions

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