Why I Support the End of the 30% Solar Tax Credit — And What Happens Now

The Big Beautiful Bill: What Just Happened?

The Big Beautiful Bill just passed, and it brings massive changes to the solar industry. Most notably, it signals the end of the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for homeowners who purchase their systems outright. While PPAs and leases will see the tax credit taper off gradually, direct ownership options are losing that incentive completely by the end of this year.

It’s a monumental shift.

United States of America Congress

But for me, it isn’t bad news. In fact, I think it’s one of the best things that could happen to this industry.

The solar tax credit, once designed to encourage adoption and innovation, became something else entirely over time. It enabled an industry filled with bad actors, manipulative sales practices, fraudulent installations, and broken promises. Instead of building a clean energy future, it gave rise to an ecosystem of deceit and disillusionment.

I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it. And it’s time we talk about it.

The Dark Side of a "Clean" Industry

Let me be real with you: solar energy is an amazing technology. When done right, it offers independence, savings, and sustainability. But what the industry became—especially under the blanket of the 30% ITC—was anything but clean.

The lies were everywhere.

Customers were told their bills would disappear. That their system would be battery-ready. That the solar would pay for itself. That they’d own it. That it would add tens of thousands in value to their homes.

Except it didn’t.

I’ve spoken to countless homeowners who ended up worse off than before. They were locked into deceptive leases. They were misled on production. They never received approval for interconnection. Some systems weren’t even permitted. Some were never even turned on.

And it wasn’t just the customers. Some of the best people I’ve ever worked with in my life were also burned by this industry.

Electricians, designers, salespeople, consultants—good, honest workers who put in the hours and followed the rules. Who believed in solar. Who treated customers with respect. Who were left unpaid, pushed out, manipulated, and replaced.

I’m one of them.

I’ve been on the receiving end of broken promises, unpaid invoices, and destroyed partnerships. I’ve had to pick up the pieces for homeowners after other companies ghosted them. I’ve fought for families who were taken advantage of by shady financiers and faceless contractors.

But I’ve also had the honor of working alongside some incredible individuals—people who, like me, still believe in clean energy. Who stuck around. Who adapted. Who survived.

And that’s why this shake-up is necessary.

Fraud and Corruption in Plain Sight

If you think I’m exaggerating, let me be clear: there has been rampant fraud in the solar industry.

I’ve seen forged signatures on contracts and permit applications. I’ve seen homeowners signed up for systems they didn’t understand—some of which were installed without their full knowledge of what they agreed to. I've seen companies intentionally mislabel equipment to pass inspections, lie on interconnection documents, and fudge numbers to qualify for incentives.

Utility companies have had to tighten regulations to prevent system abuse, not because solar itself is bad, but because of how many unqualified or unscrupulous people were abusing the system.

There have been bankruptcies that left thousands of customers stranded with no support. Companies that took tax credits and ran. Projects that went half-installed. Subcontractors never paid.

Every link in the chain was impacted—from the installer to the homeowner to the financier. Everyone got hurt.

And all the while, the tax credit kept it propped up. It became a safety net for bad business. Something to dangle in front of customers while hiding the truth.

B2B Backstabbing: The Silent Victims

One of the ugliest parts of this story is the business-to-business betrayal.

People don’t realize how many great subcontractors, electricians, engineers, and small companies got absolutely gutted by the big solar boom.

Here’s how it went:

You get hired to do the work. You get the job done right. Then the company delays payment, changes terms, or ghosts you entirely. Or they reroute your customer to a different installer. Or they change the finance partner last minute, cutting you out of the deal entirely.

Some even stole entire sales teams' client lists, locking them out of their own pipeline.

That’s not a business. That’s a scam wrapped in a contract.

And the sad part? The ones doing it weren’t always fly-by-night pop-ups. Some were big names. Recognizable brands. Ones people still trust.

The Tax Credit Made It Worse

The ITC was supposed to help the industry. And at one point, it did. But eventually, it became a crutch for companies who couldn’t survive without it.

Instead of focusing on real value—durable installs, honest quotes, long-term support—the pitch became, "You’ll get 30% back from Uncle Sam. Just sign."

It enabled greed. It attracted opportunists. It bloated the space with people who had no business being in it.

The tax credit masked the true cost of bad installations. It covered up inefficiencies. It rewarded volume over quality. And in the process, it made solar look worse to the very people we were trying to help.

That’s why I’m in favor of removing it.

Let the system correct itself.

What Comes Next: A Cleaner Industry

Without the tax credit, companies will need to actually compete on quality again. They'll have to prove value—not just promise it.

This is where the real professionals shine.

Those of us who diversified. Who learned energy storage. Who understand automation. Who took time to master code, compliance, customer service.

Those of us who stayed when others jumped ship.

A lot of bad businesses will fold. That’s okay. Let them.

The future of solar should be built by those who earned the right to stay.

Advice for Homeowners: How to Move Forward

If you’re a homeowner, you might be wondering: what do I do now?

First, don’t panic. Solar still works. It still saves money. It still reduces your carbon footprint. But now more than ever, it matters who you work with.

You need transparency. You need performance modeling. You need a consultant or installer who will show you the math. Not just tell you what you want to hear.

And if you’re unsure about solar but thinking about adding a battery? That might be a smarter step. Batteries don’t just save power—they give you control. They future-proof your energy use, especially in states where net metering has been gutted.

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s on your terms. Not theirs.

How We Help: Real Consulting, Real Help

At Renewable Innovations, we don’t play games. We don’t push one brand. We don’t take commission from shady loans.

We help homeowners and businesses make informed decisions based on data, code, and real-world results.

We work with certified, vetted partners. We walk you through proposals. We flag red flags before you sign anything. We help you own your system, not the other way around.

We’ve partnered with good, honest contractors like Blalock Electric & Solar, Axia by Qcells (in fact, our instant estimate tool is based on Axia pricing), and Icon Power.

Use our estimate tool to get a fast quote without the sales guy. Because let’s face it — the high-commission sales model is dying, and it should. You deserve better than to pay someone $5,000+ just to sign you up for a project they barely understand.

Final Thoughts: Now Is the Time

The truth is, the 30% tax credit is going away. This is your last chance to take advantage of it before the door closes for good. If you’re someone who stands to benefit from it, don’t wait.

Because after this year? Financing will look different. Cash flow will matter more. The solar sales environment will change drastically.

But the good news? That’s a good thing.

The honest, hardworking people will still be here. The ones who know what they’re doing. The ones who actually help.

We’re ready when you are.

Visit www.reinnovations.org, try out our instant quote tool, and take the first step toward clean energy done the right way.

Let’s make solar honest again. Let’s make energy yours.