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Why Renters Have Been Left Out of Solar — Until Now
For decades, solar energy was exclusively available to homeowners with suitable rooftops. The 70% of US households that rent, live in apartments, or own properties without viable roof access were entirely excluded. The financial and regulatory infrastructure — tax credits, net metering agreements, installer networks — was built entirely around a model that requires owning the surface where the panels sit. Renters simply had no equivalent option.
Plug-in solar changes that. A system costing $400 to $1,200 installs in under an hour with no tools beyond a drill for a mounting bracket, connects to a compatible outlet, and reduces the electricity bill immediately. It is portable — when a renter moves, they take the panels. It scales — starting with one 400W panel and adding another is straightforward. As of September 2026, plug-in solar measures have been signed into law in nine US states, with additional states considering legislation.
Homeowner Comparison — 2026 Without the Federal Tax Credit
The calculus for rooftop solar changed significantly when the Section 25D residential tax credit expired on December 31, 2025. For most of the past decade, homeowners purchasing solar with cash or a loan could offset 30% of the system cost through their federal tax return. A $22,400 rooftop system had an effective cost of $15,680 after the credit. That credit no longer exists for 2026 installations.
This does not make rooftop solar a bad investment — it simply means the payback period lengthens. A $22,400 system that once paid back in 7 years now pays back in approximately 10 years at the national average electricity rate. In high-rate states like California ($0.33/kWh), Massachusetts ($0.29/kWh), and Connecticut ($0.27/kWh), the payback remains under 8 years even without the federal credit, and the 25-year return remains very strong. State incentives — including Arizona's 25% state credit, New York's 25% state credit, Massachusetts's 15% state credit, and SREC programs in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois — partially offset the federal credit loss in states that have them.
The Community Solar Alternative for Renters
For renters who cannot install any panels — those without outdoor access, in states without legal frameworks, or with leases that prohibit installation — community solar is the remaining option. A community solar subscription involves no equipment, no installation, and no lease modification. You subscribe to a share of a solar farm, and your utility credits your bill for the energy your share produces — typically at a 5 to 15% discount from standard rates. The subscription is usually free to join and can be cancelled with 30 days notice.
Community solar is available in approximately 20 states that have enacted enabling legislation. Leading providers include Arcadia, Nexamp, and Clean Earth Capital. Unlike plug-in solar, community solar produces no hardware asset and involves no upfront cost, but the savings per month are smaller and require no installation effort at all.
Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly 2026 state rates · NREL 2026 rooftop solar cost benchmarks ($2.80/W installed) · IRS Notice 2025-38 (Section 25D expiration) · SEIA Q2 2026 residential solar market report · Bright Saver plug-in solar consumer guide 2026. Rooftop system cost estimated at $2.80/watt installed (NREL 2026 benchmark) before any state incentives. All projections assume flat electricity rates. Disclaimer · Privacy