Check incentives before signing
A rebate that sounds available is not a saving until the equipment, household, installation date and application meet the program’s conditions.
Federal home energy credits
As checked September 7, 2026, the IRS states that the Residential Clean Energy Credit is unavailable for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit page also limits qualifying improvements to 2025. Do not subtract these homeowner credits for a new 2026 installation. See the IRS clean-energy credit page and IRS home-improvement credit page.
Prior-year eligibility and carryforwards are different questions from a new installation. Review the IRS rules for your own tax year. Commercial ownership arrangements have separate rules; do not assume a homeowner credit or promised pass-through benefit.
Utility and state offers
Check the program serving your actual address. Look for preapproval, eligible model numbers, contractor requirements, income limits, funding status and application deadlines. Obtain written confirmation before treating a rebate as part of your budget. A tax credit, instant discount and reimbursement rebate affect cash flow differently.
Richmond and Virginia solar checks
Confirm the utility, tariff and interconnection requirements for the property. Dominion publishes its Virginia net-metering program information. Ask how credits are applied, how any annual surplus is handled and which charges remain. An example export rate on a calculator is not confirmation of eligibility.
A quote-review checklist
- Program name, administering organization and current written terms.
- Qualifying model and installation date.
- Whether approval is needed before purchase.
- Who receives the benefit and who submits the application.
- Whether incentives can be combined and when payment arrives.
Keep a second project estimate with incentives set to zero. It shows how dependent your decision is on successful approval.