Design decisions that are free now and costly later
A large, unbroken south- or west-facing roof plane, with vents and flues grouped on the other side, gives you room for more panels at lower cost. Running conduit from the attic to the electrical room during framing avoids exterior runs later. Sizing the main panel and service for a heat pump, an EV charger, and a battery costs far less at construction than as an upgrade.
If battery backup matters to you, plan a critical-loads panel or a whole-home backup design now. We install Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase, and SigEnergy batteries, and bidirectional EV charging with whole-home backup, which some buyers prefer to a stationary battery.
The 2026 tax changes
The federal §25D homeowner credit ended for installations completed after December 31, 2025; for new construction, the timing rule looks at when you begin using the home. The §45L credit for homebuilders ended for homes acquired after June 30, 2026. As of September 2026, neither is available for a home being built now.
What remains: with a lease or PPA, the system owner can still claim the federal §48E credit if solar is placed in service by December 31, 2027, and batteries keep §48E eligibility through 2033. Colorado’s 10% battery tax credit covers tax years through 2026. Verify current terms and talk to a tax advisor about your situation.
Working with your builder
Bring us in during design, before the roof trusses are ordered. We coordinate with your builder on conduit, attachment points, and panel sizing, and pull the solar permits with your jurisdiction. Check whether your jurisdiction’s adopted energy code has solar-ready or EV-ready requirements — they vary by city and county.
What to do next
- 1Loop us in during architectural design, before trusses are ordered.
- 2Ask your architect to keep one large south- or west-facing roof plane clear of vents.
- 3Have your electrician size the main panel and service for solar, a battery, a heat pump, and EV charging.
- 4Decide on backup: none, a critical-loads battery, or whole-home backup (including bidirectional EV).
- 5Compare cash, loan, and lease/PPA with the financing calculator, given the 2026 credit changes.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Is there a tax credit for solar on a new home in 2026?
Not for the homeowner — §25D ended for installations completed after 2025. The builder credit (§45L) ended for homes acquired after June 30, 2026. With a lease or PPA, the system owner may still claim §48E if solar is placed in service by the end of 2027. Verify with a tax advisor.
Can the solar cost be included in my construction loan?
That depends on your lender. Many allow it. Ask your lender early so the solar is in the budget from the start.
Should I make my new home solar-ready even if I don’t install panels yet?
Yes. Conduit, a clear roof plane, and panel capacity are cheap during construction and expensive later.
Do you work directly with homebuilders?
Yes. We work with custom and production builders on design coordination, permitting, and installation timing.
Should I put in a battery during construction?
If you want backup, installing it at construction is cleaner and cheaper than retrofitting. If you’re unsure, at least plan the panel and wiring for one.