{"id":17835,"date":"2025-10-21T15:28:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T15:28:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aurorasolar.com\/?p=17835"},"modified":"2025-10-27T17:45:03","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T17:45:03","slug":"what-homeowners-think-about-solar-as-the-federal-tax-credit-winds-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aurorasolar.com\/what-homeowners-think-about-solar-as-the-federal-tax-credit-winds-down\/","title":{"rendered":"What homeowners think about solar as the Federal Tax Credit winds down"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) on solar begins its phase-out at the end of 2025, new survey data reveals a striking truth: while interest in solar is growing, confusion about costs, incentives, and savings could leave thousands of homeowners and installers on the sidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers age 25 and over to understand what they know \u2014 and don\u2019t know \u2014 about going solar. The findings uncover widespread enthusiasm, major misconceptions, and an opportunity to make solar \u201cpolicy-proof.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solar Awareness Is Up But Understanding Still Lags<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nearly half of Americans (49%) either installed, considered installing, or know someone who installed solar panels \u2014 a sign that solar entered the mainstream conversation. Interest is strongest in the West, where 28% of respondents are actively considering or already have solar, roughly double that of the Midwest (12%)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this visibility, over one-third (37%) admit they\u2019ve heard of solar but don\u2019t know anything about the installation process. This knowledge gap presents a crucial opportunity for installers to step in as trusted educators and guides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Americans Underestimate the Cost and the Savings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest myths holding homeowners back is cost. Over one-third of respondents (34%) believe solar is cheaper to install than it really is, while nearly 1 in 10 think it costs less than $5,000. In reality, the average residential solar system runs around $18,000 to $43,000 on average, before incentives, according to Consumer Affairs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when it comes to savings, 78% of Americans underestimate how much solar can reduce their monthly energy bills. Over one-third think they\u2019d only save as little as $50 per month, but SEIA estimates<\/a> it’s much closer to $125 per month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ITC Knowledge Gap: Education Around Solar Remains an Issue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Despite being one of the most impactful incentives in clean energy history, many homeowners didn’t even know about the Investment Tax Credit: 43% reported hearing of the ITC but don\u2019t understand how it works. One in three Americans have never heard of it at all. Awareness is lowest in the Midwest, where 43% are unfamiliar with it entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even among those who are aware, 82% underestimated its value, believing it was less than a 20% tax credit when it was actually 30%.

For whose who are aware of the ITC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n