Costs & Savings 5 min read
Is Solar Still Worth It in 2026 Without the Federal Tax Credit?
The 30% federal credit ended in 2025. Here's the honest math on whether home solar still pays off in 2026 — and the three factors that now decide it.
Know what solar panels really cost in your state
Independent, research-driven guides to solar costs, tax credits, financing, and savings — plus a free calculator to estimate your own system size and payback period in minutes.
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Comparisons 2 min read
Community Solar vs Rooftop Solar: What's the Difference?
How community solar subscriptions work compared to installing your own rooftop system, and which one fits renters, shaded homes, or homeowners who want a simpler option.
Incentives & Tax Credits 4 min read
The Federal Solar Tax Credit Ended in 2025 — What It Means in 2026
The 30% residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. What happened, who can still benefit, and what incentives remain in 2026.
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How Solar Works 3 min read
Solar Battery Storage: Do You Actually Need One?
What a home solar battery does, what it costs to add, and the situations where it genuinely pays off versus where it mostly adds cost.
How Solar Works 3 min read
Grid-Tied vs Off-Grid Solar Systems: What's the Difference?
How grid-tied and off-grid solar systems differ in design, cost, and practicality — and why almost all home solar installations are grid-tied.
Choosing an Installer 3 min read
DIY Solar vs Professional Installation: Is It Worth the Risk?
What DIY solar kits actually involve, where they can make sense, and the real risks — permitting, safety, warranty, and insurance — most DIYers underestimate.
Solar costs by state
Electricity rates, sun hours, and incentives vary a lot by state — see the real numbers for yours.
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Costs & Savings
What solar panels actually cost, what drives the price, and how to estimate your real savings.
Incentives & Tax Credits
The federal solar tax credit, state incentives, net metering, and SRECs explained in plain English.
How Solar Works
Panel types, inverters, battery storage, and the basics of how a home solar system works.
Installation & Sizing
How many panels you need, whether your roof qualifies, and what the install process looks like.
Maintenance & Lifespan
How long solar panels last, how to maintain them, and what warranties actually cover.
Choosing an Installer
How to vet solar companies, avoid common sales tactics, and what to check before signing a contract.
Comparisons
Lease vs loan vs cash, solar vs battery, community solar vs rooftop — head-to-head comparisons.
How we approach solar content
Independent
We aren't owned by an installer, panel manufacturer, or lead-generation network. Our comparisons aren't influenced by commissions.
State-specific data
Electricity rates and sun hours vary widely across the country — our state guides and calculator use real per-state reference figures, not one national number.
Honest about estimates
Every cost figure is labeled as a reference estimate. We tell you to get a real quote before deciding — we're not trying to close a sale.