Free Solar Panels for Seniors: Register for State Solar Panel Rebates, Credits

If you’ve ever seen an offer for “free solar panels for seniors,” you’ve probably also wondered if it’s too good to be true.

While no one is going to come to your home and install solar panels without expecting any compensation, there are a variety of rebates, credits, and other solar programs for seniors in some states.

In addition, California offers income based free solar panel installation for people who qualify, including seniors.

This guide explains options for free solar panels for seniors, including the various ways anyone can save on solar energy systems for their home.

How To Get Free Solar Panels From the Government: Free Solar Panels for Seniors

The federal government does not offer any free solar panel programs. However, it does offer a tax credit that can significantly lower the cost of your system.

This federal tax credit is officially known as the Residential Clean Energy Credit.¹ The Residential Clean Energy Credit allows you to subtract 30% of a new solar panel system’s cost from your taxes.

If your system costs $25,000, for example, you could subtract $7,500 when you file your taxes for the year the panels were installed.

Other Government Solar Panel Incentives

In addition to the federal government’s solar panel program, many state governments also offer additional incentives that can make solar panels more affordable.

The table below highlights some of the best programs that seniors can utilize to save on solar panels:

State	Solar Incentive/Program	Details
New York	Solar Energy System Equipment Credit7	Equals 25% of the system’s value (maximum of $5,000)
Massachusetts	Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit8	Equals the lesser of 15% of your system costs or $1,000
Maryland	Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program9	$1,000 cash-back for systems over 1 kW
Oregon	Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program10	$ 5,000 panel rebate and $2,500 battery rebate
New Hampshire	Residential Renewable Electric Generation Rebate Program11	$200 rebate per kW installed, up to $1,000
California	Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)12	$200 rebate per kW of batter storage installed
Idaho	Idaho Residential Alternative Energy Tax Deduction13	Equals 40% of the cost of a solar panel system the year it’s installed. You can also deduct 20% per year for an additional three years.

Net Metering

Most states in the country also offer net metering or net billing to solar panel system customers.

Both programs involve paying you (either in the form of credits on your electric bill or in cash) for the extra energy your solar panel system generates that you send back to the power grid.

The primary difference is that under net metering, utility companies usually pay you back at the retail rate (the price they sell the energy for), whereas with net billing, you get paid at the wholesale rate (the price the company buys the energy for).

When Does the Federal Solar Credit Go Away?

The 30% federal solar credit will stay in place through 2032.² In 2033, it will decrease to 26%, and in 2034, it will decrease to 22%.

It’s not going away anytime soon. Some solar salespeople use FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) to try and pressure customers (especially seniors and other vulnerable populations) into investing in solar panels right away.

Don’t let them trick you into thinking you need to sign a contract this minute.

Can You Get Free Solar Panels for Low-Income Families?

Many seniors are also eligible for solar stimulus programs that make solar panels more affordable for low-income families.

The table below lists some of the most significant solar discounts states offer low-income residents:

State	Solar Incentive/Program	Details
California	Disadvantaged Communities Single Family Solar Homes Program14	Subsidizes solar panel installation at $3,000 for every installed kW, up to 5 kW.
Colorado	Weatherization Assistance Program Low-Income Solar15	Subsidizes the cost of solar panel installations.
Hawaii	Green Energy Market Securitization On-Bill Repayment Program16	Offers fixed-rate loans for solar panels that are repaid through your electric bill
Illinois	Illinois Solar For All Program17	No upfront costs, ongoing costs, or fees that exceed 50% of the value of the energy the system produces
Minnesota	Xcel Energy Solar Rewards Program18	Subsidizes the cost of solar panels up to $2,000 per installed kW and provides an incentive of $0.07 per kWh produced by the system
New York	New York Solar For All Program19	Helps low-income residents benefit from community solar farms and offers bill credits of $5-$15 per month
Oregon	EnergyTrust Solar Within Reach program20	Provides $1.10 per watt of solar installed to PGE customers and $1 per watt for Pacific Power customers; available for systems of up to 6 kilowatts
Washington, D.C.	Solar for All Program21	Offers no-cost solar panel leases to low and moderate-income families

Other Ways To Get Free Solar Panels for Seniors

In addition to participating in programs like those shared above, there are other options for seniors who are interested in getting solar panels for free.

The two popular choices discussed below are not entirely free, but they do make solar panels much more accessible, especially for seniors and low-income households.

Solar Leases

A solar lease is similar to any other leasing agreement (leasing a car, leasing an apartment, etc.).³

These agreements take place between you and a third-party developer. The developer handles the solar panel system’s installation and maintenance (often for no money down).

In exchange, you make monthly payments to the developer to use the solar panels. Some solar lease programs also give you an option to buy the system at the end of the lease term.

What happens if you don’t make your payments? As is the case with any other lease, if you default on your solar panel payments, the developer will repossess the panels.

Power Purchase Agreements

A Power Purchase Agreement or PPA is similar to a solar lease.⁴ This agreement also occurs between you and a third-party developer, who installs and maintains your system, typically without requiring any upfront payments from you.

After the system is installed, you make a flat monthly payment to the developer to purchase energy produced by the panels. The flat fee is usually lower than your average monthly energy bill, meaning you still save money even if you don’t own the panels outright.

Most PPAs last around 15-20 years, and some give you the option to purchase the system at the end of the agreement.

Is Solar a Scam?

Solar panels themselves are not a scam. They are a viable option for reducing energy usage, combating climate change, and lowering the cost of your electricity bills.

How does solar work?⁵ Solar panels consist of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which absorb energy from the sun.

From here, the panel system converts energy from the sun to usable energy that can power your home.

Free Solar Panels for Seniors: Warning Signs of Solar Scams

Although solar itself is not a scam, there are scammers out there looking to take advantage of others, including senior citizens.

The following are some warning signs that indicate you’re dealing with a less-than-trustworthy solar salesperson:

• They’re extra pushy and pressure you to sign a contract right away.
• They make unrealistic promises and seem to be over-selling how much money you’ll save by switching to solar.
• They tell you that your solar panels will be absolutely free.

What Is the Average Cost of Solar Panels for Home?

Although you can take advantage of federal and state government solar incentives that lower the cost of solar panels, it’s still helpful to know how much the average system costs.

The average price of solar panels is determined based on the following:

Solar Panel Type

Below are 3 types of solar panels:

1. Monocrystalline: These panels are the most efficient and the most expensive, with the average cost ranging from $1-$1.50 per watt (making a 6-kilowatt system around $6,000-$9,000).⁶
2. Polycrystalline: These panels cost less upfront ($0.90-$1 per watt), but they have a lower efficiency rating.
3. Thin-film: These are the least popular panels for residential systems, but they’re also the least expensive at $0.70-$1 per watt.

Labor

Labor and installation costs usually account for around 25% of the panel system’s cost. For example, a $20,000 system would cost an additional $5,000 for labor, bringing the total to around $25,000.

System Size

The more panels your system requires, the more expensive it will be. On average, home systems typically range from 6-12 kilowatts.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Solar Energy?

All energy sources have their own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a list of the pros and cons of solar energy.

The pros of solar energy include the following:

• Save money on electricity bills
• Reduce energy usage and carbon emissions
• Store energy for future usage (such as when the power goes out)
• Lower-than-average maintenance costs

Conversely, here are some potential cons to keep in mind:

• High upfront costs (unless you participate in a leasing program, PPA, or government program)
• Weather-dependent and not ideal for all locations
• May not be worthwhile if you don’t plan to stay in your home for a long time
• Potential for scams if you don’t know which warning signs to watch for