Time’s running short on some of the best energy upgrade deals you’ll see. With solar tax credits ending after 2025 and various rebate programs winding down, now’s the moment to lock in thousands of dollars in savings on everything from rooftop solar to heat pumps. Here’s your roadmap to claiming these incentives before they disappear.

Federal Tax Credits: Grab Them Before They’re Gone

The biggest game-changer is the 30% federal solar tax credit, which ends on December 31, 2025. This isn’t a rebate that reduces your purchase price. It’s a dollar-for-dollar reduction of what you owe in federal taxes. For an average system costing $28,160, that’s about $8,000 back in your pocket, but only if your system is installed and running by year’s end.

The solar credit isn’t the only one with a ticking clock. Several efficiency tax credits also expire December 31, 2025, including up to $2,000 for heat pumps, $2,000 for heat pump water heaters, and $600 for electrical panel upgrades. Unlike solar, these have annual caps, so you can’t double-dip on the same equipment.

What Counts as “Installed”?

Tax attorneys suggest your system needs to be installed by the deadline, though interconnection and full payment aren’t necessarily required. But don’t cut it close—with the expected rush of installations in late 2025, contractors are already booking months out.

State Rebate Programs: Uneven Rollout, Big Potential

State programs funded by federal dollars are hitting the ground at different speeds. As of July 2025, electrification rebates are available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. Efficiency rebates are live in Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.

These aren’t small potatoes. Low-income households (under 80% of area median income) can get up to $14,000 total in electrification rebates, while moderate-income families (80-150% of AMI) can still claim substantial amounts. The rebates cover:

• Heat pumps for heating/cooling: Up to $8,000

• Heat pump water heaters: Up to $1,750
• Electric stoves and cooktops: Up to $840

• Electrical panel upgrades: Up to $4,000 •

Insulation and air sealing: Up to $1,600

California’s program shows both the promise and complexity of these rollouts. The state paused its single-family rebate program in February 2025 after the budget was fully reserved, then resumed in March. Translation: popular programs fill up fast.

How to Stack Your Savings

Smart planning lets you combine different incentives, though there are rules. You can typically use federal tax credits alongside state rebates for the same project, but you’ll need to subtract rebates from your project cost before calculating the tax credit.

Here’s a real-world example: Install a $6,000 heat pump with a $2,000 state rebate. Your out-of-pocket cost drops to $4,000, then you can claim the federal tax credit on that reduced amount (30% of $4,000 = $1,200), bringing your total cost down to $2,800.

Find Your Local Programs

Check what’s available where you live since programs vary widely by location. Rewiring America’s incentive calculator lets you plug in your ZIP code, income, and household size to see personalized rebate and tax credit estimates. The nonprofit also notes that some utility companies offer additional incentives for technologies like heat pumps, residential solar, or insulation.

North Carolina’s experience shows how quickly things can move. The state launched its Energy Saver NC program in January 2025, with applications processed starting March 1. Indiana followed suit with its Energy Saver Program launching May 14, 2025.

The Installation Timeline Reality Check

Installation timelines typically run two to four months, and the solar industry expects a significant rush in the second half of 2025. That means if you want solar installed by the December deadline, you should get quotes by August or September at the latest.

For other equipment, lead times vary. Heat pumps usually take 4-8 weeks from order to installation, while electrical panel upgrades can often be done within 2-3 weeks if permits move quickly.

Your Action Plan

Start by checking what’s available in your state using online calculators, then get quotes from multiple contractors. Ask specifically about:

• Which incentives they help you access

• Whether they handle rebate paperwork

• Current wait times for permits and installation

• Payment timing (some rebates apply at point of sale, others require waiting for reimbursement)

The recent analysis from Rewiring America and The Switch is On suggests checking with your local utility for additional incentives, since many utilities offer their own rebates that can stack with federal and state programs.

Remember: these aren’t “wait and see” programs anymore. With uncertainty about future federal support and proven high demand for available rebates, the clock is definitely ticking on some of the most generous energy upgrade incentives we’ve seen.