When the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended on December 31, 2025, many homeowners assumed solar incentives were gone. They are not - they moved. The money that is left in 2026 sits with state tax departments, state energy offices, utilities and a few big cities, and it is spread across dozens of programs with different rules, budgets and deadlines.
This guide is the directory: a state-by-state table, the biggest city and utility programs, the battery programs that pay per kWh or per kW, and a step-by-step way to find every incentive for your own address in a few minutes. If you want the federal side and the cost math without the credit, read our companion guide on the federal solar tax credit in 2026 first. Program details below were checked on November 1, 2026 against official program pages where they loaded; budgets change fast, so always confirm on the program page before you buy. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
What changed in 2026 - and what is still on the table
Before 2026, the federal 30% credit was the biggest single incentive for most buyers, and state programs were a bonus on top. Now the order is reversed. Four kinds of incentives remain for homeowners who buy their own system:
- State income tax credits - a percentage of cost with a cap, claimed on your state return. Only a handful of states still offer one.
- Rebates and performance payments - upfront cash per watt or per kWh, or payments per kWh produced, usually from a state program or utility and almost always paid through a participating contractor.
- Battery programs - upfront payments per kWh of storage, or yearly payments per kW for letting the utility draw on your battery during peak events. In 2026 these are often bigger than the solar rebates.
- Tax exemptions - no property tax on the added home value, and in some states no sales tax on the equipment. They do not pay you anything, but they protect the savings.
How you are credited for exported power (net metering versus net billing) is not an incentive, but it decides how much a system saves, so it is included in the table too.
How to find every incentive for your address (in about 2 minutes)
- Start with DSIRE. The DSIRE database (run by the NC Clean Energy Technology Center) lists state, utility and local programs by ZIP code. Filter by "Solar Photovoltaics" and "Energy Storage" and note every program marked active.
- Open your utility's rebate page. Many of the best 2026 offers are utility programs (battery demand response, solar rebates in Austin or Illinois) that change several times a year. Search "[your utility] solar rebate" and "[your utility] battery program".
- Check your state energy office and tax department. State credits are claimed on a state form; the form instructions are the final word on what qualifies, including whether self-installed systems count.
- Check your city or county. NYC, Austin and a few others have their own programs, and many counties waive permit fees for solar.
- Write down three things for each program: does it need pre-approval before you buy, does it need a licensed or participating installer, and what equipment listings it requires (usually UL 1741 SB inverters and UL 9540 battery systems).
State-by-state solar incentives (2026)
The table covers all 50 states and DC, grouped by region. "Check DSIRE" means we could not confirm a current state-level program on an official page on the check date - it does not mean nothing exists, especially at the utility level. Net metering notes are general; rules vary by utility inside most states.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
| State | State tax credit | Rebate / battery program | Tax exemptions | Export credit | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 25% of cost, up to $5,000; unused credit carries forward 5 years | NYSERDA storage incentive (fixed $/kWh by region, up to 25 kWh); NY-Sun residential blocks fully subscribed in fall 2026; NYC property tax abatement (below) | Property (15 years, local opt-out), sales | Net metering for systems up to 25 kW, moving to value-stack credits | NYSERDA storage |
| Massachusetts | 15% of cost, up to $1,000 | SMART 3.0 per-kWh payments (battery adder available); ConnectedSolutions battery program | Property (20 years), sales | Net metering at retail for most investor-owned utilities | Mass Save batteries |
| Connecticut | None | Energy Storage Solutions (EnergizeCT): redesigned April 2026 - small enrollment payment per kWh plus yearly payments per kW for 10 years; RRES solar tariff | Property, sales (check DSIRE) | Netting or buy-all tariff under RRES | EnergizeCT / DSIRE |
| New Jersey | None | SuSI certificates per MWh produced; residential battery incentive only proposed (draft, Aug 2026) | Property, sales | Net metering at retail | NJ Clean Energy |
| Vermont | None | Green Mountain Power battery program: $850-$950 per kW of enrolled battery, up to $10,500 | Property and sales (systems up to 50 kW) | Net metering with adjusters | GMP BYOD |
| Maryland | Check DSIRE (storage credit status for 2026 unconfirmed) | MEA residential energy storage rebate (FY27 round open until May 31, 2027 or until funds run out; reserve before installing) | Property, sales | Net metering at retail | MEA storage |
| Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Pennsylvania, Delaware, DC | None | RI small-scale grants and ConnectedSolutions (RI/NH), Efficiency Maine, DC Solar for All (income-qualified) - check DSIRE | Varies (RI, ME, DC property exemptions) | Mostly net metering; NH and ME partly below retail | DSIRE |
Southeast
| State | State tax credit | Rebate / battery program | Tax exemptions | Export credit | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 25% of cost, up to $3,500 a year, with a 10-year carryforward | Utility programs - check DSIRE | Check DSIRE | Utility "Solar Choice" tariffs | SC Dept. of Revenue |
| North Carolina | None | Duke Energy PowerPair (solar + battery, up to $9,000; filled in the Progress territory, check Carolinas); battery demand-response payments | Property (80% of system value exempt) | Time-of-use net metering (Duke) | DSIRE |
| Florida | None | No statewide rebate | Property (added value), sales | Net metering at retail | FL PSC |
| Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana | None | Utility programs only - check DSIRE | Mostly none (local options in VA; LA property exemption) | From full retail (WV) to limited or avoided-cost credit (AL, TN, LA, GA) | DSIRE |
Midwest
| State | State tax credit | Rebate / battery program | Tax exemptions | Export credit | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | None | Illinois Shines (upfront payment for renewable energy credits, through an Approved Vendor); Illinois Solar for All (income-qualified); ComEd and Ameren distributed-generation rebates for solar and batteries | Property | Since 2025, new systems get supply-only credit (no delivery credit) | Illinois Shines |
| Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan | None | Xcel Solar*Rewards (MN), Focus on Energy (WI) - check DSIRE | Property and sales in MN, WI, IA; property in MI | Net metering in MN (small systems); inflow/outflow billing in IA and MI | DSIRE |
| Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota | None | Utility programs only - check DSIRE | Varies | Varies by utility; net billing in Indiana | DSIRE |
Southwest
| State | State tax credit | Rebate / battery program | Tax exemptions | Export credit | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 10% of cost, up to $6,000 (a 2026 bill to raise it did not pass) | None statewide | Property, gross receipts tax deduction | Net metering | NM EMNRD |
| Arizona | 25% of cost, up to $1,000 | Salt River Project battery incentive - check the SRP site | Property, sales | Net billing (export rate below retail) | AZ Dept. of Revenue |
| Texas | None | Austin Energy solar rebate (requires its solar education course) and Power Partner battery payments; CPS Energy (San Antonio) programs | Property | No statewide rule; set by utility or retail provider | Austin Energy |
| Oklahoma | None | Check DSIRE | Check DSIRE | Avoided-cost credit | DSIRE |
West and Pacific
| State | State tax credit | Rebate / battery program | Tax exemptions | Export credit | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | None | SGIP battery incentive (the open residential budget is the equity budget for income-qualified homes); municipal utility programs (SMUD, LADWP) | Property (new-construction exclusion) | Net billing (NEM 3.0) for the big utilities - exports credited well below retail | CPUC SGIP |
| Hawaii | 35% of cost, up to $5,000 per system | Utility battery programs - check DSIRE | Property (Honolulu) | No net metering; self-supply and grid-services tariffs | Hawaii State Energy Office |
| Oregon | None | Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate reopened June 2026 and was fully reserved within the first day; Energy Trust of Oregon (utility customers) | Property | Net metering | ODOE rebate |
| Colorado | None | Xcel Solar*Rewards and battery programs - check Xcel | Property, state sales | Net metering | Colorado Energy Office |
| Utah | None for solar installed in 2024 or later | Rocky Mountain Power battery program - check DSIRE | Check DSIRE | Export credit below retail | Utah OED |
| Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska | None confirmed (Montana: check DSIRE) | Washington Solar for All (income-qualified); utility programs - check DSIRE | Property in NV and MT; others vary | Net metering in WA (utility caps); reduced rate in NV; net billing in ID | DSIRE |
City and utility programs worth checking
Some of the largest incentives in 2026 are local. These are the programs we confirmed were live or recently active on the check date; status changes quickly, so treat this as a shortlist to verify, not a guarantee of funds.
| Program | Area | What it pays | Status (Nov 1, 2026) | Installer rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar + storage property tax abatement | New York City | 30% of cost (solar and batteries), up to $62,500 a year over 4 years | Open; applications accepted through 2034 | Needs a Department of Buildings filing, so a licensed electrician or engineer in practice |
| NYSERDA storage incentive | Long Island (PSEG LI) | Fixed $/kWh for home batteries (Block 2 at $250/kWh), up to 25 kWh | Open | Participating contractor |
| ConnectedSolutions | Massachusetts (Mass Save utilities) | $275 per kW of average summer discharge, 5-year enrollment | Open | Eligible battery model + enrollment |
| Bring Your Own Device | Green Mountain Power, Vermont | $850-$950 per kW, up to $10,500, plus a solar-retrofit adder | Open | Installer of your choice; eligible battery list |
| Energy Storage Solutions | Connecticut (Eversource, UI) | Enrollment payment per kWh plus yearly per-kW payments for 10 years (higher for underserved and low-income customers) | Open under the April 2026 redesign | Eligible contractor |
| Solar rebate + Power Partner | Austin Energy, Texas | Upfront solar rebate; battery program with a one-time payment plus yearly per-kW payments | Open | Solar course required; participating contractor |
| Distributed generation rebate | ComEd and Ameren, Illinois | $300 per kW of solar or per kWh of battery (battery needs a specific rate plan and smart inverter) | Open | Installer |
| PowerPair | Duke Energy, North Carolina | Up to $9,000 for new solar + battery | Full in Duke Energy Progress; check Duke Energy Carolinas | Participating installer |
| SGIP equity budget | California IOU customers (and LADWP) | About $1,100 per kWh of storage for income-qualified homes | Equity budget open; general residential budgets mostly closed | SGIP developer |
| Residential energy storage rebate | Maryland (MEA) | Rebate set in the FY27 funding notice | Open until May 31, 2027 or funds run out | Pre-install reservation |
| Solar + Storage Rebate | Oregon (ODOE) | Rebate per system; larger for low- and moderate-income homes | Funds fully reserved (June 2026) | Approved contractor reserves funds |
Battery programs: where storage now earns the most
Because export credits are falling in many states (California's net billing, Illinois' supply-only credit, Arizona and Utah export rates), batteries are where most new incentive money goes. Programs pay in one of two ways: upfront per kWh of storage installed (SGIP, NYSERDA, Connecticut's enrollment payment) or per kW per year for letting the utility discharge your battery during a limited number of peak events (ConnectedSolutions, Connecticut's performance payment, Green Mountain Power, Duke and Austin demand response).
To compare them, take one example battery: 13.5 kWh of storage that can deliver 5 kW during events. Using each program's published rates:
- Long Island (NYSERDA Block 2): 13.5 kWh x $250 = $3,375 upfront.
- Vermont (GMP BYOD): 5 kW x $850-$950 = $4,250-$4,750 upfront.
- Massachusetts (ConnectedSolutions): 5 kW x $275 x 5 summers = about $6,875 over 5 years, if the battery delivers its full 5 kW in every event.
- California (SGIP equity budget, income-qualified): 13.5 kWh x about $1,100 = about $14,850, which can cover most of a battery.
- Connecticut (ESS, standard customer): a small enrollment payment plus 5 kW x $300 a year over 10 years = roughly $15,000 over the decade, before the higher underserved and low-income rates.
Two things follow. First, per-kW programs reward batteries that can discharge hard for 2-3 hours, so the inverter's continuous output matters as much as the kWh label. Second, almost all of these programs keep a qualified-equipment list. A whole-home battery with a UL 9540 system listing and an inverter that speaks to the utility's control platform is far more likely to qualify than a plug-in power station. For sizing the battery itself, our whole-home battery backup cost guide walks through kWh and kW per home size.
Can DIY or self-installed systems get rebates?
This is the question that decides whether a DIY kit buyer can use a program, and the answer splits by incentive type:
- State tax credits (NY, MA, SC, AZ, NM, HI) are tied to the system being installed at your home, not to who installed it. Many allow owner-installed systems as long as they are permitted, inspected and connected legally - but each state's form instructions decide, so read them before you buy.
- Rebates and SREC-style payments (NYSERDA, Illinois Shines, SGIP, PowerPair, Oregon) almost always run through a participating or approved contractor who applies on your behalf. A fully self-installed system usually cannot get these.
- Battery demand-response programs often care more about the device than the installer: if the battery and inverter are on the approved list and the system is permitted, owner-installed systems are sometimes accepted. Check the program terms.
- Property and sales tax exemptions generally apply to any qualifying system, DIY or not.
The common middle path: buy a complete kit, do the mounting and layout yourself, and hire a licensed electrician (who may also be a program-participating contractor) for the final connection, permit and utility paperwork. That keeps most of the DIY savings while keeping you eligible for programs that need a professional sign-off.
How to apply: the order that keeps you eligible
- Reserve before you buy. Oregon, Maryland, SGIP and NYSERDA all require a reservation or pre-approval before installation. Buying first and applying later is the most common way to lose a rebate.
- Confirm the equipment list. Save the spec sheets showing UL 1741 SB (inverter), UL 9540 (battery system), UL 1973 (battery modules) and IEEE 1547 grid compliance. Many programs also require CEC-listed equipment.
- Apply for interconnection with your utility; for battery programs, choose the rate plan the program requires (Illinois and several others tie battery rebates to specific rates).
- Pull the permit and pass inspection. Keep the permit number and final inspection sign-off.
- Keep every invoice with the equipment itemized. State credits are calculated on qualifying cost, and some states subtract rebates you received before applying the credit percentage.
- Claim in the right year. State credits are usually claimed for the year the system is placed in service; carryforward rules (NY 5 years, SC 10 years) help if your tax bill is smaller than the credit.
What buyers ask before applying for a solar rebate
These questions come from searches that lead to our store and from the questions Google shows for solar rebate searches, answered with current program rules and our in-stock equipment.
Which states still give a solar tax credit in 2026?
New York (25%, up to $5,000), New Mexico (10%, up to $6,000), Hawaii (35%, up to $5,000), South Carolina (25%, up to $3,500 a year), Arizona (25%, up to $1,000) and Massachusetts (15%, up to $1,000). Utah's credit no longer covers solar installed in 2024 or later.
Can I get a rebate for a battery without solar panels?
Often yes. SGIP, ConnectedSolutions, Connecticut's Energy Storage Solutions, Green Mountain Power, the NYC abatement and Maryland's storage rebate all accept stand-alone batteries. Duke's PowerPair is an exception - it requires new solar with the battery. A battery-only system such as the EG4 WallMount 16 kWh ($3,719.99) paired with a listed hybrid inverter is the kind of setup these programs expect.
Do portable power stations qualify for rebates?
Generally no. Plug-in power stations are not interconnected with the grid and usually are not on utility device lists. If backup without a program is the goal, our best solar generators for home backup guide compares them; if you want the rebate, choose a permitted whole-home system.
Can I stack state, utility and city incentives?
Usually yes - for example a New York homeowner in NYC can combine the 25% state credit, the city abatement and a NYSERDA storage incentive. Watch for programs that reduce the credit base by the rebate amount.
Equipment that commonly meets program specs
Program rules vary, but most ask for the same listings. These in-stock picks carry them; prices are our store prices before any code, checked November 2, 2026. Use our solar kit calculator to size panels and storage before you reserve.
Sungold SGS12K-PM1-450 - 9 kW panels, 12 kW inverter, 16.07 kWh - $9,248
The SGS-12K18MAX hybrid inverter is UL 1741 SB and IEEE 1547 compliant, and it is certified together with the 16.07 kWh PowerMax outdoor battery as a UL 9540 system - the pairing most utility interconnection and storage programs ask for. Twenty 450 W bifacial panels cover an average home, and the 200 A pass-through means it can sit in front of a full main panel.
BigBattery ETHOS 20.48 kWh + EG4 18kPV - 12 kW - $9,433.99
A UL 9540 certified whole-home storage system: four stackable ETHOS modules (UL 1973, UL 9540A, IP65) with the UL 1741 grid-interactive EG4 18kPV inverter. At 12 kW continuous and 20.48 kWh it can hold a 5 kW event dispatch for about four hours, which is what per-kW programs like ConnectedSolutions and Connecticut's ESS reward. Works with or without solar.
EG4 WallMount 16 kWh + FlexBOSS21 - from $7,092
The FlexBOSS21 carries UL 1741 and UL 1741 PCS listings (useful where a utility limits export or main-panel load), and the indoor WallMount battery is UL 1973 with the pair built for UL 9540 eligibility. Variants scale to 32 or 48 kWh ($10,750 / $14,408), so you can size the battery to a program's kWh cap. Output is 16 kW with PV and grid, 12 kW from battery alone.
Sungold SGH-7.6N3E with 12 x 500 W panels - 7.6 kW, 15.36 kWh - $9,121
A split-phase hybrid kit whose inverter lists UL 1741, UL 1741 SB, UL 1699B, IEEE 1547:2018 and CEC - a full interconnection checklist. With 6 kW of panels and 15.36 kWh of storage it suits smaller homes in credit states like New York or South Carolina, where a 25% credit capped at $3,500-$5,000 covers a large share of a kit this size.
More options: hybrid inverters, grid-tie inverters, server rack batteries and grid-tied systems with battery backup.
FAQ
Is there still a federal solar rebate or tax credit in 2026?
Not for homeowners who buy their own system. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025. State, utility and city programs are what remain.
Which states have the best solar incentives in 2026?
For tax credits: New York, New Mexico, Hawaii and South Carolina. For batteries: California (SGIP equity budget), Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. New York City adds a 30% property tax abatement on solar and storage.
Do I need a licensed installer to get a solar rebate?
For most rebates and per-kWh incentives, yes - they are paid through participating contractors. State tax credits and property tax exemptions are usually available for permitted owner-installed systems, but check the state form instructions.
Can I get a rebate for a home battery on its own?
Often yes. SGIP, ConnectedSolutions, Connecticut's Energy Storage Solutions, Green Mountain Power and Maryland's storage rebate accept stand-alone batteries; Duke's PowerPair requires solar with the battery.
What happens if a rebate program runs out of money?
Most programs are first come, first served by funding block or fiscal year. Oregon's 2026 round was reserved within the first day and New York's residential NY-Sun blocks were fully subscribed by fall. Reserve before you buy and ask about waitlists.
How do I find the solar rebates for my ZIP code?
Search your ZIP code in the DSIRE database, then check your utility's rebate page, your state energy office and your state tax form instructions. Confirm each program is open on the day you apply.
What equipment do rebate programs usually require?
Typically a UL 1741 SB inverter that meets IEEE 1547, a UL 9540 battery system with UL 1973 modules, CEC-listed equipment, a permit, final inspection and utility permission to operate.
Related guides: federal solar tax credit 2026 and whole-home battery backup cost.
Serhii Dovzhenko, Solar & Energy Storage Specialist at Eco Solar Kits · LinkedIn
Serhii is based in Vancouver, BC, and works on product data, system sizing and buyer guides for Eco Solar Kits. He attends solar and energy storage industry conferences and is involved in the community of electricians in Vancouver, BC. Credit for the data verification in this guide goes to Adsec.ca.