Sacramento, California Sep 15, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - The economics of home solar changed sharply at the start of 2026. The 30% federal residential solar tax credit that homeowners relied on for more than a decade expired on December 31, 2025, which means Californians who buy or finance a system they own outright this year receive no federal residential credit. Layered on top of earlier changes to how utilities pay for exported solar, and years of steep electricity price rises, the shift has left many homeowners unsure whether solar still makes financial sense. West Sacramento-based solar and electric specialist Solectric says it does. It also says 2026 rewards careful design and expert guidance far more than the boom years did.
The company, a family business founded in 2015 and now ranked in the top 1% of California's 336,931 licensed contractors, argues that the headlines have outrun the reality. Solar still delivers strong long-term savings across the Sacramento region, particularly when a system is sized around how a household actually uses power and paired with storage. Crucially, Sacramento's own utility rules also remain among the most favorable in the state.
Why 2026 Feels Different for Solar Buyers
Several forces have converged. The most significant is federal: under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Residential Clean Energy Credit, known as Section 25D, ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, removing what was often a $6,000 to $9,000 benefit on a typical home installation. Homeowners who buy a system in 2026 no longer claim that credit, although a federal path survives for those who lease or sign a power purchase agreement, where the system's third-party owner can still claim a commercial credit and pass part of the value through in a lower rate.
At the same time, California's Net Billing Tariff, widely known as NEM 3.0, has reshaped the value of solar for customers of the state's large investor-owned utilities. In effect since April 2023 for PG&E, SCE and SDG&E customers, it cut the credit paid for electricity exported to the grid by roughly 75%, shifting the advantage decisively toward using and storing your own power rather than selling it back. Meanwhile, retail electricity prices have kept climbing, with PG&E rates up more than 50% since 2020, which steadily increases the value of every kilowatt-hour a home produces and consumes itself.
The Sacramento Advantage Many Homeowners Miss
For local homeowners, Solectric says one detail matters more than any other: NEM 3.0 does not apply to Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) customers. SMUD runs its own net metering program, which remains meaningfully more favorable than the investor-owned utilities' rules, so many Sacramento households are in a stronger position than statewide coverage suggests.
That does not make batteries optional. Pairing solar with storage lets a home capture midday production and use it during expensive evening peak hours, and provides backup power during outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs. That value has pushed battery attachment rates on new California systems from around one in ten a few years ago to more than half today. Solectric designs and installs complete solar, battery, EV-charging and backup-generator systems, working with brands including SunPower, SolarEdge, Enphase, Sonnen, Generac and JuiceBox, and also maintains and troubleshoots existing systems.
Expert Commentary
"Most people call us in 2026 assuming they have already missed the boat," said Daniel Navarrete, owner and founder of Solectric. "They have read that the tax credit is gone and that net metering was cut, so they conclude solar no longer works. That is rarely true, especially here in Sacramento. The tax credit mattered, but rising utility rates and a properly designed system matter more over twenty-five years. Our job is to run the honest numbers for each home, not the boom-era math that a lot of quotes online are still using."
Navarrete, who has worked in the solar industry since 2008, said the change in the market has raised the stakes on getting the design right. "When incentives were generous, you could oversize a system, export the surplus and still come out ahead. That era is over. Now the money is in what you use and store yourself, so sizing, battery capacity and how your utility bills you are everything. A good installer earns their fee in the design, long before anyone gets on the roof."
Local Expertise, Built on Repeat Business
Solectric was founded by Navarrete after years installing for other solar companies, with a deliberate focus on customer relationships and installation quality rather than high-volume, one-and-done sales. The West Sacramento family business now employs more than 20 people, cites over 18 years of industry experience, has completed more than 3,600 installations, and holds five-star ratings across Google, Yelp and Nextdoor along with Better Business Bureau accreditation. It is a SunPower Authorized Dealer and operates under California contractor license #1013576.
Its work spans residential solar installations, battery and storage systems, EV charging stations, standby generators, system finance options, and ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting and panel cleaning, an increasingly important service as Sacramento's large installed base of solar systems ages.
Practical Steps for Sacramento Homeowners
For households weighing solar in 2026, the team offers a simple sequence. First, confirm your utility, because SMUD and PG&E customers face very different rules and the answer changes the math. Second, model self-consumption honestly and consider pairing solar with a battery to capture peak-time value and outage protection.
Third, understand your ownership options: buying or financing means you own the system but claim no federal residential credit this year, while a lease or PPA keeps a federal credit in play through the system's owner. Fourth, be wary of any quote that still subtracts a 30% federal credit for an owned system in 2026, as many online calculators have not been updated. Finally, choose a licensed, experienced local installer who designs around your actual usage rather than a generic template.
"Solar in 2026 is not worse, it is just less forgiving of guesswork," Navarrete added. "The homeowners who do well are the ones who start with good information. That is what we try to give people, whether or not they end up buying from us."
About Solectric
Solectric is a family-owned solar and electric company based in West Sacramento, California, serving homeowners across the Sacramento region and Northern California. Founded in 2015 by owner Daniel Navarrete, the company designs, installs and maintains residential solar, battery storage, EV charging and backup generator systems, and is a SunPower Authorized Dealer working with leading brands including SolarEdge, Enphase, Sonnen, Generac and JuiceBox. Ranked in the top 1% of California's licensed contractors with more than 3,600 installations, over 20 employees, five-star reviews across every major platform and Better Business Bureau accreditation, Solectric operates under California contractor license #1013576.
For more information, to calculate potential savings or to request a free quote, visit https://www.mysolectric.com or contact the team on (916) 719-0074 or [email protected].
Media Contact
My Solectric
(916) 719-0074
3453 Ramona Ave #9, Sacramento, CA 95826, United States
Source :https://www.mysolectric.com/
This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.
Jaxson Dart and girlfriend Marissa Ayers are 'obsessed with each other' entering the new NFL season.
Gul Feroza was found guilty of breaching Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.
Not many Pakistan legends have spoken in support of the 1992 World Cup-winning captain who has been in jail since 2022 after being convicted in multiple corruption cases.
Notably, the BCCI invited bids in July, pushed the associate deadline to 7 September when the title rights stayed empty, and then moved quickly once the quotes were in.
Ricky Ponting fears ODI cricket will be played "less and less" in the coming years as more T20 leagues emerge.
Pittsburgh Steelers star DK Metcalf has bizarrely claimed he thinks Antarctica is 'another world' and there there is 'another civilization inside of Earth.'
Pakistan called an abrupt halt to questions about their tumultuous Test tour on Tuesday with captain Babar Azam fronting a tetchy pre-match press conference.
DANIEL MATTHEWS IN NEW YORK: Both Navarro and Pegula are the daughters of billionaires, the heiresses to business empires worth a combined $15billion.
Roman Reigns wasn’t at WWE RAW, but he still had plenty to say. The Tribal Chief addressed The Bloodline, called out Jacob Fatu, and delivered a serious warning to Penta ahead of their championship fight while making his plans for WWE clear.
A look at the best and worst contracts on all seven Canadian NHL teams, including Connor McDavid, Elias Pettersson, Jonathan Huberdeau, John Tavares and other key players.
Sneako called N3on's new AI livestream deal botting and a sellout move. N3on said the friendship was fake all along. Then Sneako turned on someone at his own table.
Jon Rahm has opened up about his LIV Golf future ahead of the Irish Open, saying he is willing to honor his contract while waiting for clarity.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the appointment of three Associate Partners for India Home Cricket for a two-season period. One of them is ChatGPT
Asian Games organisers announced they were making a final push to boost sluggish ticket sales for sports such as women’s football and baseball ahead of the opening ceremony in less than two weeks. There was, however, better news for other sports, with Aichi governor Hideaki Omura announcing at a press conference on Tuesday that more than 60 per cent of tickets have been sold across 31 of the 41 sports. While overall sales figures for the opening and closing ceremonies were not disclosed, 17...
The spirit of Bill Shankly still shines in Liverpool, in the form of the fans' union. But on the 113th anniversary of his birth, plans have been revealed to revive the 'lost' hilltop village where he was born.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion showed major improvement in his second season as an analyst and earned rave reviews for his performance in the NFC Championship game.
The Scotland international, 29, has been diagnosed with 'a mild benign arrhythmia', which is an abnormal or irregular heart rhythm deemed non-serious and posing no significant risk to health.
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla said the issue on the accommodation of the hotels for the cricketers had arisen due to the scarcity of top-rated hotels in Nagoya.
Ollie Millroy, 36, had been racing in a China GT event at Shanghai International Circuit when two cars smashed into his Ferrari while navigating a bend.
Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall has ended her season after a severe concussion suffered in a car accident left her unable to train for this week's World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
Jay Rooney ROBOT LUCKY STAR - R7 (1) Looks well placed down in grade off a nice trial win and has drawn well Owen Goulding TYCOON RESOURCES - R8 (4) Excuses at Sha Tin when last seen and looked the real deal at the Valley prior Olivia O'Sullivan ROBOT LUCKY STAR - R7 (1) Drops in grade on return and latest trial win suggests he is ready to strike Phillip Woo VIOLET STAR - R5 (5) Likes this Valley trip and trialled well at Conghua ahead of his return Trackwork Spy TYCOON RESOURCES - R8...
Disgraced former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky appeared in court remotely for the first time since 2019 as he tries to argue for a new trial.
George Desmond Kamurasi, who captains the SE Dons in Bexleyheath, south-east London, has unexpectedly been chosen as the next ruler of the Tooro Kingdom.
Memphis Grizzlies pick up two young wings plus extra second-round capital while already sitting several guaranteed contracts above the 15-man minimum. For the New Orleans Pelicans, the return is a low-cost look at AJ Johnson and a veteran who can be cut.
Pakistan Cricket Board's shocking decision to sack seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, and send two coaches home before the series against England ended sent shockwaves
The Indian men's team will face the Panama senior Team in Bengaluru on September 25 before returning to Kolkata for two high-profile encounters against Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6.
Indian kabaddi player Brijendra Singh Choudhary, who was a part of the silver-winning men's team in the Asian Beach Games earlier this year, was on Tuesday stripped of his medal after failing an in-competition dope test.
KIERAN GILL: Alonso has held private talks with Estevao Willian amid speculation that Chelsea's Brazilian boy wonder is concerned with his lack of opportunities and new manager's vision for him.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has admitted he is very sad after the club decided not to offer him a new contract revealing that he had options to leave in the summer.The 27-year-old said: “I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract which, of...
India internationals Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar starred with the ball as East Zone ended Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in ascendancy.
Jazz Chisholm raised eyebrows with his choice of t-shirt as he attended the US Open on Monday night with numerous New York Yankees teammates.
An Ohio high school has been left in mourning following the sudden death of their former longtime football coach. Joe Pierro died at the age of 60 this month after being struck by lightning.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said Tuesday he could have left during the summer transfer window given how sad he felt at not being offered a new contract when other players were having their...
Powered by a star-studded bowling line-up that includes India internationals Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar, East Zone reduced South Zone to 242/6 at stumps on Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy final
Rebels supporter Sara Smith grabbed the attention of ESPN's cameraperson, who then lingered on her during a tense moment in the team's win over Louisville.
Dilip Mahadu Gavit, who won the men's 100m T47 gold at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with a Games record timing of 10.71 seconds, will compete in both the 100m and 400m events at the Asian Para Games.
Turkish Airlines will become Liverpool's new front-of-shirt sponsor from the start of the 2027/28 season, the Premier League giants announced on Tuesday.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Coach of the Year nominees: Four of the five men’s nominees are Spanish, a snapshot of how far the country’s coaching school has travelled this year. The coaches will wait until 26 October in London, where the ceremony is being staged.
No longer saffron? The Indian hockey team will resort back to its traditional blue jersey in the Asian Games, according to a report
In May 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports ruled out the resumption of bilateral sporting engagements between India and Pakistan.
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.

Everybody can’t get enough of sports be it football, rugby, cricket even athletics. From local cup to super cup to world cup, there’s enough sports to be enjoyed every minute of every day