Key Home Energy Tax Credits Ended in 2025: What's Left in 2026

Most of the federal clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act have expired. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed in July 2025, the residential credits for solar, batteries, and home efficiency upgrades ended December 31, 2025, and the EV charger credit ended June 30, 2026. If you're planning home energy upgrades in 2026, here's exactly what's gone, what's still available, and how homeowners can continue to save.

Is there still a federal solar tax credit in 2026?

Not for homeowners who buy solar with cash or a loan. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 under OBBBA, so a system you own and place in service in 2026 receives no federal residential credit. The IRA had originally set this credit to run at 30% through 2032, but OBBBA repealed it early.

Did the home battery tax credit end too?

Yes. Home battery storage was covered under the same Section 25D credit and expired December 31, 2025. Batteries can still provide backup power and help you get more value from solar, and some states and utilities offer their own battery incentives (for example, California's SGIP program) — but there is no federal residential credit for batteries installed in 2026.

Are there tax credits for HVAC, heat pumps, or insulation in 2026?

No. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C) also expired December 31, 2025. That credit previously covered:

• New HVAC systems

• Electrical panel upgrades

• Weatherization (windows, doors, insulation)

• Home energy audits

• Up to $2,000 for a high-efficiency electric heat pump

Many state and utility rebates still help offset these upgrades, so it's worth checking what's available in your area before you rule an upgrade out.

What about the EV charger tax credit?

The EV charger credit (Section 30C) — worth 30% of costs up to $1,000 for qualifying low-income or rural areas — ran through June 30, 2026 and has now expired. No federal EV charger credit is available for installations after that date.

What clean energy savings are still available in 2026?

Even with the federal credits gone, homeowners still have real ways to save:

• State, utility, and local incentives

  — rebates, performance payments, and tax exemptions vary widely by location. Look yours up in the DSIRE database

• Net metering

  — credits for the excess solar energy your system sends to the grid can meaningfully lower your bills, depending on your state and utility.

Already completed a system in 2025? Here's how to claim it.

If your solar, battery, or efficiency upgrade was fully installed and placed in service on or before December 31, 2025, you can still claim the credit on your 2025 federal tax return:

• File IRS Form 5695 for residential clean energy credits (available on the IRS website).

• Keep your contractor's invoice and installation details.

• You need enough federal tax liability to use the credit — it's nonrefundable, though unused Section 25D amounts can generally carry forward.

For example, an $18,000 solar system completed in 2025 could qualify for a $5,400 (30%) credit on your 2025 return. Because documentation rules are strict, consult a qualified tax professional to confirm your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Did the solar tax credit really expire? Yes. The 30% federal residential solar credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 under OBBBA. Homeowners who buy solar with cash or a loan in 2026 receive no federal residential credit.

2. Can I still get a solar tax credit in 2026? Only through a solar lease or PPA. In those arrangements the provider claims the Section 48E credit (available through 2027) and typically passes the savings to you as lower payments.

3. Are heat pump and HVAC credits still available? No. The Section 25C efficiency credit, including up to $2,000 for a heat pump, ended December 31, 2025. Check for state and utility rebates, which often remain.

4. Is the EV charger credit still available? No. The Section 30C credit ended June 30, 2026.

5. I installed solar in 2025 — can I still claim the credit? Yes, if the system was placed in service by December 31, 2025. File IRS Form 5695 with your 2025 return and keep your installation documentation.

Bottom line

The IRA's federal clean energy tax credits were meant to last into the early 2030s, but under OBBBA most ended after 2025. In 2026, homeowners' best remaining savings come from solar leases and PPAs, state and utility incentives, and net metering. A GoodLeap-participating contractor can walk you through the financing options that still make a home energy upgrade worthwhile.