Section 25D changed for expenditures after 2025
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 25D does not apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025. For that reason, Home Solar Atlas does not automatically subtract a 30% federal residential credit from 2026 calculator results.
Why many online solar calculators can be stale
Solar calculators and articles written before the law changed may still show a 30% federal credit as a default line item. A calculator that silently subtracts that amount can make project cost and payback look materially better than a 2026 homeowner should expect.
State, local and utility incentives still matter
The end of the old residential federal credit does not mean every incentive disappeared. State tax treatment, local programs, utility rebates, battery programs and distributed-generation compensation can still affect a project. Availability depends on location and eligibility.
Use the ZIP incentive lookup and your state solar hub, then verify a program with the issuing agency or utility before including it in your final project economics.
Do not confuse residential and business tax rules
Tax provisions for businesses, leased systems, third-party ownership or other entities can follow different rules from a homeowner-owned residential project. Home Solar Atlas does not automatically apply a commercial tax credit to a residential calculator result.