What changed for home solar in 2026
The federal credit for buying solar is gone, leases got cheaper, and states rewrote the rules for exported power, door-to-door sales and plug-in panels. Here's what changed and what's coming, with the dates.
Checked November 12, 2026
The short version
- Buying: no federal tax credit for systems installed in 2026 or later. A $25,000 system used to come back $7,500 at tax time; now it doesn't.
- Leasing: the company that owns a leased system or PPA can still claim a 30% business credit, for systems in service by December 31, 2027. Many pass part of it on: in the first half of 2026, a prepaid lease cost about 39% less per kWh than buying with cash on EnergySage, and a prepaid PPA about 57% less.
- Prices: the median quote rose about 3%, to $2.57 per watt, and the average payback for buyers rose to 10.9 years.
- Exported power: more states credit it at less than the retail rate, which makes the system's size and your daytime use matter more.
- Sales: Texas, Oregon, Colorado, Connecticut and others added registration, disclosure and cancellation rules for solar sellers.
- Plug-in solar: ten states have passed laws allowing small kits that plug into an outlet, without the utility's approval. Six are in effect; the rest start in 2027.
Timeline
Add the upcoming dates to your calendar.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act becomes law. It ends the 30% tax credit for homeowners who buy solar after 2025, and keeps a business credit for leased systems, with new deadlines. (Solar.com: the fate of the 30% solar tax credit)
Last day a homeowner-owned system could be installed and still get the 30% credit (claimed on the 2025 tax return). (EnergySage: the federal solar tax credit in 2026)
Buying solar, with cash or a loan, gets no federal credit. Leases and PPAs can still carry one, through the company that owns the system. (EnergySage: the federal solar tax credit in 2026)
Oregon's first solar consumer protection law takes effect. (Energy Trust of Oregon)
Colorado's protections for solar leases and PPAs take effect. Plug-in solar becomes legal in Maryland and Vermont. (Mayer Brown: the rise of third-party solar)
Deadline for leased and commercial solar projects to begin construction and keep the longer timeline for the business credit. Later projects must be in service by December 31, 2027. (SEIA fact sheet)
Texas requires solar sellers to register with the state and gives buyers five business days to cancel. Its disclosure forms are enforced from November 1. (TDLR: solar panel consumer protection)
California signs its plug-in solar law (SB 868), making it the 10th state with one. It takes effect January 1, 2027. (pv magazine USA)- Coming
Plug-in solar becomes legal in Virginia, New Hampshire and California. Colorado landlords and HOAs can no longer unreasonably ban kits. (Solar.com: plug-in solar, the 2026 guide) - Coming
New Jersey's plug-in solar law takes effect. (Solar.com: plug-in solar, the 2026 guide) - Coming
Maryland must have its new net metering program in place, expected to pay less for exported power. (Solar.com: 50 States of Solar) - Coming
Leased and PPA systems that didn't begin construction by July 4, 2026 must be in service by this date for the business credit. Expect "sign before the deadline" sales pressure, and lease prices may rise afterward. (SolarInsure: the deadline has passed) - Coming
Connecticut's replacement net metering program must be finalized (by April 2028). (Solar.com: 50 States of Solar)
What it means for you
If you're buying, judge the system on your electricity savings alone, and don't let anyone count the old 30% credit. If you're offered a lease or PPA, compare its cost per kWh with what you pay now, and look hard at the yearly increase. Check a quote.
More sources: EnergySage: six months after the tax credit ended; pv magazine: EnergySage marketplace report, H1 2026.