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Top picks
The options we would actually recommend this week.
#1 PickSolar
- ✓Bills itself as the number one home solar and storage company in America, with 1 million homes served
- ✓Lease or subscription with locked-in payments, plus purchase and little-to-no-money-down options
- ✓Battery storage, including Tesla Powerwall, with app-based system monitoring
- ✓Rated best for solar panel leasing by This Old House
Solar
- ✓TSP-415 (415 W, 20.3% efficiency) and TSP-420 (420 W, 20.5% efficiency) panels assembled at Tesla's Buffalo, New York plant
- ✓Designed to pair with the Tesla Solar Inverter and Powerwall 3, though not sold as an inseparable bundle
- ✓Among the lowest price per watt
- ✓Installed by Tesla's own crews or by 1,000+ certified installers
Solar
- ✓Technology-first install with ongoing monitoring
- ✓Operating in 31 states, with 20,000+ customers served
- ✓Rated best for customer support by This Old House
ION Solar
- ✓End-to-end, full-service installation covering financing, design, permits, and install
- ✓85,000+ installs, but service is limited to 13 states
- ✓Strong workmanship warranty
- ✓Financing options available
Solar
- ✗Filed Chapter 11 in Delaware on April 15, 2026, then converted to Chapter 7 liquidation in August 2026 after a proposed sale collapsed
- ✗The 25-year production guarantee and workmanship warranty are Freedom Forever obligations, now debtor obligations subject to discharge in liquidation
- ✗Some customers are left with installed systems that were never activated; utilities have in some cases energized already-inspected systems directly
- ✓Equipment warranties come from the panel and inverter manufacturers, so they are unaffected by the installer's bankruptcy
See what solar trims off your power bill.
A well-sized residential system wipes out most of your electric bill. Payback usually lands in 6 to 9 years, then the panels keep producing for two more decades on the house.
Your annual electricity billQuick comparison
| Provider | Rate | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrun | Largest US home solar and storage company; flexible leasing | Best for leasing and financing | 9/10 | View offer |
| | US-made 415W and 420W panels; Powerwall integration | Best for battery and value | 8.9/10 | View offer |
| | Tech-first; strong monitoring | Best for monitoring and transparency | 8.8/10 | View offer |
| | Full-service install in 13 states | Best full-service install | 8.3/10 | View offer |
| | Converted to Chapter 7 liquidation in August 2026 | Not currently a buying option | 2/10 | View offer |
Guides
Read before you sign with an installer.
Home Battery Storage: Is It Worth It?
Home battery systems let you store solar energy for nighttime use and keep the lights on during outages. Here is how to decide whether the cost is worth it for your situation.
How Much Does Solar Cost in 2026?
A typical residential solar system runs $18,000 to $28,000 before incentives. After the 30% federal tax credit, the net cost drops to $12,600 to $19,600. Here is how the full picture shakes out.
Solar Financing: Loan vs Lease vs PPA
You can buy, loan-finance, lease, or sign a power purchase agreement for solar. Each path has different costs, benefits, and tradeoffs. Here is how to pick the right one.
How Solar Panels Work: A Plain-English Guide
Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Here is the process from sunlight to usable power in plain English.
Latest
Latest in Solar
Adding Panels to Your Old Solar Array Can Cancel a 20-Year Rate Lock. The Line Is 1 kW.
If your California system got permission to operate before April 15, 2023, your export rate is locked for 20 years. PG&E's own FAQ says you can grow the system by 10% or 1 kW, and that what happens past that is unclear. Get the number in writing before you sign an expansion contract.
You Can Get a Solar Credit Without Owning a Roof. The Energy Department Wrote the Fine-Print Test for It.
Community solar is the version of solar for renters, condo owners, and bad roofs. You don't buy panels, you buy a promise about a bill credit. DOE publishes the four contract terms that decide whether the promise is any good.
The Solar Pitch That Skips the Credit Check Puts a Lien Ahead of Your Mortgage
PACE financing rides on your property tax bill, which is why it can outrank your mortgage and stall a sale or refinance. Since March 1, 2026 the lender owes you a Loan Estimate and an ability-to-repay check. Ask for both.
Best for
Find the right solar for your situation.
Solar questions, answered.
How much does a home solar system cost in 2026?
The average residential system runs $13,000-$22,000 after the 30% federal solar tax credit. Before the credit, expect $18,000-$30,000 depending on system size, panel brand, and location. A typical home uses a 6-8 kW system. Labor and equipment cost more in California, the Northeast, and Hawaii than in the Midwest or South. The only way to get a real number for your house is to pull quotes from at least three installers in your area.
What is the federal solar tax credit and how do I claim it?
The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) lets you deduct 30% of your total install cost from your federal taxes. On a $25,000 system, that is $7,500 off your tax bill. The credit applies to the full installed cost, including equipment, labor, and permitting. File IRS Form 5695 with your tax return. The credit is not a refund: it reduces your liability. If the credit is bigger than what you owe, the rest rolls forward to next year. The 30% rate is locked in through 2032.
How long does it take for solar panels to pay for themselves?
Most homeowners break even in 6-9 years, depending on local electricity rates, system cost, and how much power the panels produce. After that, the savings are pure return. With a 25-year panel warranty, a system that breaks even in 8 years delivers 17 years of free power. In high-rate states like California, Hawaii, and Connecticut, payback can land at 4-5 years. In low-rate states, it can stretch to 10-12.
Should I buy or lease solar panels?
Buy outright or finance with a solar loan. Ownership produces the best long-term outcome. You own the system, claim the federal tax credit, and keep all the savings. Over 25 years, ownership typically beats leasing by 40-60%. A solar lease or PPA needs no money upfront and can work if you cannot qualify for financing or do not have the cash, but the installer owns the system and captures most of the value. A lease can also complicate selling the house.
What does net metering mean and does my state have it?
Net metering is a billing setup where the extra power your panels send to the grid earns you a credit on your utility bill. Sunny months pile up credits. Cloudy stretches and nights draw them down. Most states have net metering, but the credit rate varies. Some utilities pay full retail; others pay a lower wholesale rate. California, Texas, Florida, and most of the Northeast have strong policies. Check your state's terms before you compare installer quotes.
Also worth comparing
Before you sign with an installer, run the payback.
System size, roof orientation, your utility rate, and the 30% federal credit all swing the math by years. Two minutes with the calculator shows what payback really looks like at your address.
Try the solar calculator →