What's going on

I want solar, but don't know where to start.

The federal residential solar credit expired at the end of 2025, but Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut still have production incentives and net-metering rules that make solar work. The question is whether to buy, lease, or add a battery.

Get my report Back to problems

What actually helps

Here's the short list.

The rebate stack, the smart play, and why each one matters for this specific problem.

Rooftop solar (state program stack)

Massachusetts SMART, Rhode Island REG, Connecticut RRES. Each pays a per-kWh production incentive for 10-20 years. Stacks with net metering in all three states.

MA · RI · CT active programs

ii.

Battery storage

A battery lets you store solar production for evening use and collect utility demand-response payments. Vermont GMP pays up to $10,500 for a Powerwall lease; Rhode Island ConnectedSolutions pays per kW dispatched.

VT · RI active programs

iii.

Lease vs. buy

After 25D expired, leases became more attractive, the installer (not you) captures the remaining commercial tax credit and can pass savings through lower monthly payments. Worth modeling both paths.

Read: what changed in 2026

Context

What 2026 actually changed

State programs cover the rebate stack on cash purchases. Third-party owned systems (leases and PPAs) carry the commercial Section 48 credit through to the homeowner as lower monthly payments. The right answer depends on your tax situation, how long you plan to stay in the home, and whether you want ownership at the end of the term.

See which rebates apply to your home.

Your Home Efficiency Score maps every eligible program to your exact address.

Get my report