Make your solar decision with real numbers
What solar costs, how to pay for it, which incentives still apply in 2026, and what happens on your roof. Written by the team that designs and installs it across New England, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Free lookupIs your home in an energy community?Check your ZIP code against the current federal energy community lists in about five seconds.Check your ZIP code →Free roof scanIs your home a good fit for solar?See your roof's sun exposure and a preliminary solar design in about a minute.Check your roof →
Find answers by topic
Start with the question you're trying to answer. Each topic has a full guide and shorter articles on the specific questions homeowners ask us.
Costs & SavingsWhat solar costs and what it savesPrice, payback, your electric bill and your home's value: the numbers that decide whether solar pays off on your house.13 guides and articles →
Financing & OwnershipHow to pay for solarCash, loan, lease or PPA. How each one works, the incentives each one unlocks, and how to compare the offers in front of you.14 guides and articles →
Incentives & Utility ProgramsIncentives and utility programsSMART 3.0, net metering, state programs and the federal credit. What each one pays and how it lowers your cost.18 guides and articles →
Panels, Equipment & System DesignHow solar works and what goes on your roofPanels, inverters, system size and how much power a New England roof really produces.11 guides and articles →
Batteries & Backup PowerBatteries and backup powerWhether you need a battery, how big it should be, how long it keeps the lights on, and how it compares to a generator.10 guides and articles →
Roofing & Home CompatibilityIs your roof and home ready for solar?Roof age and condition, replacing a roof under solar, shade, direction, and the electrical work some homes need first.12 guides and articles →
Installation & OwnershipGetting solar installed and living with itChoosing an installer, comparing quotes, permits and timelines, warranties, and what owning a system looks like for the next 25 years.11 guides and articles →
Featured guide
Solar Financing in 2026: Cash, Loan, Lease or PPA
The five ways to pay for home solar, the incentives each one unlocks, and how to pick the one that fits.
Read the guideNew and updated
GuideHow Home Solar Works: Panels, Inverters and System DesignFrom sunlight to your outlet: the equipment, how a system is sized, and what it produces here.
EquipmentWhat Decides How Many Solar Panels You Need?What goes into the number of panels on your roof, from your electric bills to roof space, shade and future plans.
EquipmentHow Long Do Solar Panels Last?How many years solar panels keep producing, how slowly they age, and what the warranties cover.
EquipmentDo Solar Panels Work in Winter and on Cloudy Days?How New England winters and cloudy weather affect solar panels, and why a system is designed for the whole year.
EquipmentHow to Compare Solar Panel BrandsWhat to compare between solar panel brands and models, and why the installation matters more than the label.
EquipmentkW vs. kWh: Reading a Solar QuoteThe difference between kilowatts and kilowatt-hours, and how each shows up on your electric bill and a solar quote.
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