Solar panel guides for US homeowners (2026)
Plain-English 2026 solar guides: how many panels you need, whether a battery pays off, payback periods, loan vs lease vs cash, and home value.
- finance Did the 30% federal solar tax credit expire? (2026) Yes — the residential federal solar tax credit (IRC §25D) expired December 31, 2025. Here's what that means for 2026 buyers and what still remains. Read guide →
- value Do solar panels increase home value? Owned solar adds an estimated $15,000–$30,000 to resale price in most U.S. markets. Here's what the research says and how to maximize the premium in 2026. Read guide →
- sizing How many solar panels to power a house? (2026) Calculate how many solar panels your home needs using 2026 US figures, a worked example, and a comparison table for different states and usage levels. Read guide →
- storage Is a Solar Battery Worth It in 2026? Home batteries cost $8,000–$15,000+ installed in 2026 with no federal tax credit. This breaks down when one actually pays off — and when it doesn't. Read guide →
- finance Solar loan vs lease vs cash in 2026 Compare solar loan vs lease vs cash in 2026 after the §25D credit expired — with cost breakdowns, ownership details, and a real worked example. Read guide →
- sizing Solar panel cost for a 2,000 sq ft house (2026) Most 2,000 sq ft homes need a 7–9 kW solar system costing $18,000–$26,000 in 2026 — and the 30% federal tax credit no longer applies. Read guide →
- basics Solar payback period: 6–16 years in 2026 How long until solar pays off? Get the real formula, a state-by-state rate comparison, and the common traps that make payback look shorter than it is. Read guide →