Solar in 2026: What Actually Changed — and What Didn’t
If you’ve been thinking about solar but chose to wait in 2025, you weren’t alone.
A lot of homeowners paused because of uncertainty around the federal solar tax credit — and that hesitation was completely understandable. Now that we’re in 2026, we want to clearly explain what’s changed, what hasn’t, and why solar is still making financial sense for many Long Island homeowners.
The short answer?
Solar still delivers strong lifetime savings.
The only thing that changed is the expiration of the federal tax credit.
The Federal Tax Credit Expired — Solar Didn’t Stop Working
The federal solar tax credit helped reduce upfront costs, and its expiration understandably raised questions. But it’s important to separate incentives from fundamentals.
The core reasons solar saves money haven’t changed:
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Electric rates continue to rise
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Solar systems last 25-30+ years
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Locking in predictable energy costs protects you from future increases
The value of solar was never just the tax credit. It was always about long-term savings and control over your energy costs.
Lifetime Savings Are Still Strong
Before 2026, many Long Island homeowners were looking at very large lifetime savings because the federal tax credit boosted the upfront economics.
In 2026 and beyond, those savings are still substantial — they’re simply reduced by the value of the credit that expired, not eliminated.
For typical Long Island homes, lifetime savings often look like this:
- Before 2026 (with federal tax credit):
Approximately $110,000–$160,000+ in lifetime savings - 2026 and beyond (without federal tax credit):
Approximately $80,000–$120,000+ in lifetime savings
Every home is different, but the takeaway is simple:
solar still saves tens of thousands of dollars over its lifetime.
New York Homeowners Still Receive a State Solar Tax Credit
Another important piece that often gets overlooked:
New York still offers a solar tax credit.
Homeowners in New York can still qualify for:
- 25% New York State solar tax credit
- Up to $5,000
This credit continues to reduce overall system cost and improves long-term savings — even without the federal incentive.
Electric Rates Will Never Go Down
This is the reality most homeowners feel every year.
Utility rates historically don’t decrease. They rise gradually, then sometimes sharply, and those increases compound over time. Staying fully dependent on the utility means accepting whatever rate comes next — indefinitely.
Solar offers something utilities never do:
predictability.
Locking in your energy costs today can protect you from decades of future increases.
The Real Cost of Waiting
Waiting doesn’t bring incentives back.
What it does do is:
- Lock in higher utility costs for longer
- Reduce lifetime savings month by month
- Delay energy independence
The question isn’t whether solar is as good as it was in 2025.
The real question is whether continuing to overpay the utility makes sense going forward.
If You’re Curious, We’re Happy to Help
If you’re curious whether solar still makes sense for your home in 2026, we’re happy to help.
If solar makes sense for your home today, we’ll show you the numbers clearly.
If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you that too.
Either way, you’ll have clarity — and that’s always a good place to start.
We’ll review your actual electric usage and walk through:
- Expected system size
- Available New York incentives (including the 25% NY State tax credit up to $5,000)
- Realistic lifetime savings based on today’s rates
There’s no pressure and no obligation — just clear numbers and honest guidance.
👉 Schedule a Free Solar Savings Review
https://scheduler.zoom.us/stephen-maroney-power-house-home-energy/power-house-home-energy-zoom-calendar Or feel free to call or email us anytime. We’re always happy to answer questions.
Power House Home Energy
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