Solar guides
Independent, plain-English answers to the questions homeowners actually ask about rooftop solar in 2026 — now that the federal tax credit has ended. No sales pitch, no lead forms; just the math and the trade-offs.
Guide category
Basics
Is solar worth it without the federal tax credit?
The 30% federal solar tax credit ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. Here's how that changes the math — and when rooftop solar still pays off in 2026.
7 min read · Updated June 1, 2026
How many solar panels do I need?
Sizing a solar system comes down to your annual electricity use, your local production, and your roof. Here's how to estimate the number of panels — and why bigger isn't always better in 2026.
6 min read · Updated June 20, 2026
Guide category
Costs & savings
How much do solar panels really save?
Solar savings depend on your electricity rate, production, and export credit — not a single national number. Here's how to estimate your real first-year and lifetime savings in 2026.
8 min read · Updated June 10, 2026
Solar payback period, explained
Your solar payback period is how long savings take to cover the system's cost. Here's how it's calculated, what a 'good' payback looks like in 2026, and the traps that make quotes look better than they are.
7 min read · Updated June 25, 2026
Guide category
Equipment
Guide category