5 Government Solar Incentives & Rebates Still Available in 2026

5 Government Solar Incentives & Rebates Still Available in 2026

Solar incentives changed dramatically between 2025 and 2026.

Some of the best-known programs that homeowners relied on in previous years have now ended, while new state, provincial and local schemes continue to make solar panels and battery storage more affordable.

That means articles written only a year ago can already contain outdated information.

For example, the United States' federal Residential Clean Energy Credit is no longer available for residential systems installed after the end of 2025, while Canada's federal Greener Homes Grant has also closed.

However, that does not mean solar incentives have disappeared.

Depending on where you live, you may still qualify for rebates, grants, export payments or other financial support.

Here are five important solar incentives and rebate programs that are still relevant in 2026 across the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

Solar Incentives in 2026: What Changed?

Before looking at the programs that are still available, it is important to understand two major changes.

The US Federal Residential Solar Tax Credit Ended

For several years, US homeowners could claim the Residential Clean Energy Credit for eligible solar installations.

The IRS states that the credit covered 30% of qualifying residential clean-energy costs for systems installed from 2022 through December 31, 2025.

However, it is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.

This means homeowners installing a new residential solar system in 2026 should not assume they can still claim the former 30% federal credit.

State and local incentives are therefore more important than they were previously.

Canada's Greener Homes Grant Is Closed

Canada's federal Greener Homes Grant is also closed.

Natural Resources Canada confirms that the program is no longer accepting applications and that December 31, 2025 was the final deadline for existing applicants to submit documents.

The associated Canada Greener Homes Loan is also closed to new applications.

Canadian homeowners should now look primarily at provincial, utility and local programs.

1. NY-Sun Solar Incentives — New York, USA

Although the federal residential solar tax credit ended, some US states continue to provide their own solar incentives.

New York's NY-Sun program remains one of the clearest examples.

NYSERDA states that NY-Sun provides financial incentives for residential and other solar projects, with incentive levels varying by location, project size and available program blocks.

For qualifying low- and moderate-income households, the Affordable Solar Residential Incentive can be especially significant.

Current NY-Sun program information states that eligible projects may receive a total incentive of:

$0.80 per watt

in the Upstate and Con Edison regions for qualifying Affordable Solar residential projects.

What Could That Mean?

For illustration, a qualifying 6 kW system contains:

6,000 watts

At $0.80 per watt:

6,000 × $0.80 = $4,800

That does not mean every New York homeowner automatically receives $4,800.

Eligibility depends on household income, location, project requirements, available funding and use of an eligible NY-Sun contractor.

Who Should Check It?

NY-Sun is particularly relevant if you:

• Live in New York State

• Own your home

• Are considering rooftop solar

• Meet low- or moderate-income eligibility requirements

• Use an approved NY-Sun contractor

Because incentive blocks can change as funding is allocated, always check current NYSERDA information before signing an installation contract.

2. Warm Homes: Local Grant — England

For eligible households in England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant can fund home energy improvements, including solar panels.

The UK government says eligible households may receive energy-saving improvements arranged and paid for by their local council. Possible measures include:

• Solar panels

• Insulation

• Air-source heat pumps

• Smart controls

Homeowners do not normally pay for approved work arranged under the grant, although landlords may sometimes need to contribute for rented properties.

Who Is Eligible?

The current eligibility rules state that the property must generally:

• Be located in England

• Be privately owned or privately rented

• Have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G

Household income is usually required to be £36,000 per year or less, although some households with higher incomes can still qualify because of postcode or benefit-related eligibility.

The government updated the scheme guidance in July 2026, and solar panels remain among the measures local authorities may install.

Why This Scheme Matters

Unlike a small tax rebate, this program can potentially cover the cost of approved energy improvements directly.

However, availability depends on your local authority, property assessment and available funding.

That means you should use the government's eligibility checker rather than assuming solar panels will automatically be included.

Looking specifically for solar support in England? Read our complete guide to free solar panels in the UK in 2026 and Warm Homes Local Grant eligibility .

3. Smart Export Guarantee — Great Britain

The Smart Export Guarantee, usually called SEG, is different from a grant or rebate.

Instead of reducing the upfront cost of buying solar panels, it allows eligible households to receive payments for renewable electricity they export to the grid.

Solar PV is one of the technologies eligible for SEG.

Ofgem confirms that eligible systems in Great Britain can apply for an export tariff through participating SEG electricity suppliers.

For the SEG year running from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, Ofgem lists mandatory providers including:

• British Gas

• E.ON Next

• EDF

• Octopus Energy

• OVO

• ScottishPower

• So Energy

• Utilita

as well as several voluntary SEG providers.

How SEG Works

Imagine your solar panels are producing more electricity than your home is using.

Instead of simply sending that surplus electricity to the grid for free, an eligible SEG tariff can pay you for exported energy.

The amount you receive depends on the supplier and tariff.

Ofgem does not set one universal SEG rate.

That means homeowners should compare export tariffs rather than simply accepting the first available option.

Who Can Benefit?

SEG may be relevant if you:

• Have solar panels in Great Britain

• Export surplus electricity

• Meet the supplier's metering and certification requirements

• Have an eligible generation system

SEG can improve the economics of solar, especially for households that export significant amounts of daytime generation.

However, using solar electricity directly inside your home can still be highly valuable because it reduces electricity purchased at retail rates.

4. Home Renovation Savings — Ontario, Canada

Ontario homeowners still have access to substantial renewable-energy incentives through the Home Renovation Savings Program.

The program currently lists:

Solar panels and battery storage — up to C$10,000

among its available residential rebates.

The program also offers support for other energy upgrades such as:

• Heat pumps

• Insulation

• Windows and doors

• Smart thermostats

• Heat-pump water heaters

Why This Is Important

With Canada's federal Greener Homes Grant closed, provincial programs like Ontario's have become much more important.

A rebate of up to C$10,000 can materially change the economics of a combined solar-and-battery installation.

However, “up to C$10,000” should not be interpreted as an automatic payment to every applicant.

The actual rebate depends on the eligible equipment, program requirements and installation.

Always check the current terms before purchasing equipment.

5. BC Hydro Solar and Battery Rebates — British Columbia, Canada

British Columbia also continues to offer substantial solar and battery incentives through BC Hydro.

For eligible residential customers, BC Hydro currently offers a solar-panel rebate of:

C$1,000 per installed kW

up to a maximum of:

C$5,000

and no more than 50% of eligible installed costs.

Battery Rebates

Battery storage incentives are also available.

For residential systems, BC Hydro currently offers:

C$500 per kWh of battery storage

with a maximum rebate of:

C$1,500

for eligible residential battery systems paired with solar.

However, eligible residential customers who enrol their battery in BC Hydro's Peak Saver program may qualify for battery rebates of up to:

C$5,000.

Example Solar Rebate

Suppose an eligible homeowner installs a:

5 kW solar system

At C$1,000 per kW:

5 × C$1,000 = C$5,000

That reaches the current residential solar rebate maximum.

Again, the rebate cannot exceed the program's percentage and eligibility limits.

Bonus: 0% VAT on Solar and Batteries in the UK

Although it is not technically a cash rebate, UK homeowners should also remember the current VAT treatment of qualifying energy-saving equipment.

Solar panels and qualifying battery installations currently benefit from 0% VAT under the UK's temporary energy-saving materials rules.

This can reduce the upfront price compared with paying the standard VAT rate.

The temporary zero-rate period is currently scheduled to run until 31 March 2027.

Because tax rules can change, always verify the current HMRC guidance before purchasing an installation.

Which Countries Still Have Solar Incentives in 2026?

Solar support now looks very different depending on location.

United States

There is no longer a general 30% federal residential solar tax credit for new installations placed in service in 2026.

However, state and local incentives remain available in some areas.

New York's NY-Sun program is one example.

Homeowners should check their state energy authority, utility provider and local government.

United Kingdom

Great Britain continues to support solar through mechanisms including:

• Smart Export Guarantee payments

• 0% VAT on qualifying solar installations

• Warm Homes: Local Grant for eligible households in England

The exact benefit depends heavily on household circumstances and location.

Canada

The federal Greener Homes Grant and Loan are closed.

However, substantial provincial and utility incentives remain available.

Ontario and British Columbia are two strong examples in 2026.

Are Solar Incentives the Same as Solar Rebates?

No.

Several different forms of financial support are often grouped together under the term “solar incentive.”

Rebate

A rebate generally returns part of your installation cost.

Example:

BC Hydro solar rebate

Grant

A grant can fund part or all of eligible improvements.

Example:

Warm Homes: Local Grant

Tax Credit

A tax credit reduces eligible tax liability.

The former US Residential Clean Energy Credit was an example, but it ended for new residential systems after 2025.

Export Payment

An export scheme pays for electricity sent to the grid.

Example:

Smart Export Guarantee

Tax Reduction

A reduced tax rate lowers the upfront purchase or installation cost.

Example:

0% VAT on qualifying UK solar installations

Understanding the difference matters because the application process and financial value vary significantly between programs.

Can You Combine Solar Incentives?

Sometimes.

For example, a homeowner might receive an installation rebate and later earn money from exported electricity.

But programs often contain rules about which incentives can be combined.

Never assume that two rebates can automatically be stacked.

Check the official terms of every program and ask the installer to clearly identify:

• The full installation price

• Any rebate included in the quote

• Who applies for the incentive

• Whether incentives can be combined

• Whether the rebate is guaranteed

• What happens if your application is rejected

Watch Out for Outdated Solar Incentive Claims

This is especially important in 2026.

If you find an article claiming:

“US homeowners automatically receive a 30% federal solar tax credit in 2026”

that information is outdated for new residential installations.

The IRS says the Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.

Similarly, websites still advertising Canada's Greener Homes Grant as an open C$5,000 federal grant are outdated.

Natural Resources Canada confirms that the program is closed.

Always check the publication date and official government source before calculating your solar budget.

How Much Can Incentives Change Solar Payback?

Potentially a lot.

Imagine a solar system costs:

$15,000

and an eligible rebate reduces the net cost by:

$4,000

The homeowner's effective upfront cost becomes:

$11,000

If the system saves $1,500 per year, the simplified payback changes from:

10 years

to around:

7.3 years

This is only an example, but it demonstrates why incentives can materially affect solar economics.

You can use the Green Energy Today Solar Savings Calculator to compare different system costs and incentives.

Enter the installation cost and confirmed rebate amount to see how the estimated payback period changes.

How to Find Solar Incentives Where You Live

Before purchasing solar panels:

1. Check government websites

Start with official federal, state, provincial or local government sources.

2. Check your electricity provider

Utility companies sometimes operate solar, battery or export programs.

3. Ask installers to itemise incentives

A trustworthy quote should make clear which rebate is being included.

4. Confirm eligibility yourself

Do not rely entirely on advertising claims.

5. Check deadlines

Many programs operate until funding is exhausted or have fixed application periods.

An incentive available today may not still exist when your installation is completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there still a US federal solar tax credit in 2026?

Not for new residential clean-energy property placed in service after December 31, 2025.

The IRS confirms the Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for new qualifying residential expenditures after that date.

Are solar rebates still available in the US?

Yes, in some states and local areas.

For example, New York's NY-Sun program continues to offer financial incentives for eligible solar projects.

Can you get free solar panels in England?

Some eligible households may receive solar panels through the Warm Homes: Local Grant if their local authority approves solar as part of the property's energy-efficiency improvements.

Eligibility depends on income, EPC rating, property status, location and available council funding.

Is the Smart Export Guarantee still available in 2026?

Yes.

Ofgem currently lists SEG suppliers for the seventh SEG year running from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant still available?

No.

The federal program is closed.

Are there still solar rebates in Canada?

Yes.

Programs vary by province and utility.

Ontario currently lists up to C$10,000 for solar panels and battery storage through Home Renovation Savings, while BC Hydro offers residential solar rebates of up to C$5,000.

Final Thoughts

Solar incentives did not disappear in 2026 — but the landscape changed significantly.

The two biggest changes are clear:

The US federal residential 30% clean-energy credit ended for new systems after 2025.

Canada's federal Greener Homes Grant is closed.

At the same time, important state, provincial, utility and local programs remain available.

In 2026, homeowners should pay particular attention to:

• NY-Sun incentives in New York

• Warm Homes: Local Grant in England

• Smart Export Guarantee payments in Great Britain

• Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program

• BC Hydro solar and battery rebates

Never base a solar purchase on an incentive mentioned in an old blog post or advertisement.

Verify the program directly with the government agency or utility before signing a contract.

And once you know the incentive amount you genuinely qualify for, use the Green Energy Today Solar Savings Calculator to see how it could affect your estimated solar payback period.

Information reviewed September 2026. Government programs, funding levels, eligibility rules and tax treatment can change. Always verify current information with the relevant official authority before making a purchase or financial decision.