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If you’re a Southern California homeowner still thinking about solar, the clock is officially ticking. The federal 30% Solar Tax Credit — worth thousands in savings — expires for residential systems after December 31, 2025. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

With just 55 days left and installers already booking out through the end of the year, this is your final chance to lock in massive savings before rates climb again.

‍Book a Free Site Review with US Power today to secure your eligibility while there’s still time.

What’s Really Ending: The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit

For years, the 30% federal tax credit (officially called the Residential Clean Energy Credit) has helped homeowners cut the upfront cost of going solar. But under the One Big Beautiful Bill — signed into law in late 2025 — any qualifying expenditures made after December 31, 2025 will no longer be eligible for this incentive.

That means your system must be installed and paid for before the end of 2025 to claim the credit on your taxes.
If you wait until January 2026, that 30% benefit — typically worth $6,000–$12,000 for the average California home — disappears entirely.

In simple terms:

✅ Installed and paid before December 31, 2025 = 30% federal tax credit
❌ Installed in 2026 or later = No federal tax credit

This applies to solar panels, inverters, and battery storage systems. So if you’ve been planning to add a battery to your existing setup, now’s the time — not next year.

What “Expenditures Made” Means — and Why November Matters

The IRS defines “expenditures made” as when installation is substantially complete — typically once the system is installed, inspected, and ready to operate. It doesn’t necessarily require final Permission to Operate (PTO) from your utility.

However, with permit delays, utility approvals, and supply chain timelines, homeowners who wait until late November or December risk missing the cutoff entirely.

As of November 7, 2025, most reputable Southern California installers are finalizing their last 2025 projects.
If you haven’t yet signed your solar contract, you’re entering the final window to qualify.

Pro Tip: Start your project no later than mid-November to ensure installation and expenditure completion before December 31.

Why Southern California Homeowners Can’t Afford to Wait

Southern California continues to face some of the nation’s highest electricity rates, with more increases on the horizon.

In October 2025, the California Public Utilities Commission approved another 10% rate hike for Southern California Edison (SCE) customers — adding roughly $200 per year to the average household bill.

Combined with wildfire mitigation surcharges and time-of-use (TOU) pricing, the cost of running your home in the evenings keeps climbing.

Meanwhile, under California’s NEM 3.0 rules, solar-only homeowners now earn far less for the energy they export to the grid — cutting credits by as much as 75% compared to NEM 2.0.

The solution? Solar plus battery storage.
By storing excess daytime energy, you can power your home at night and avoid peak rates entirely — maximizing your return on investment and ensuring energy security.

The Numbers: Waiting Will Cost You Thousands

Here’s how the numbers shake out for a typical Southern California home:

Item	Example Solar + Battery System
System Cost	$30,000
30% Federal Tax Credit (Expires Dec 31, 2025)	–$9,000
Net Cost After Tax Credit	$21,000
Monthly Utility Savings	$150–$250+
Typical Payback	6–8 years

If you wait until 2026 and lose the 30% credit, your total cost shoots back up to $30,000 — that’s an immediate $9,000 loss for the same system.
Add rising utility rates into the mix, and your payback period could stretch by two years or more.

Every month you delay means another costly utility bill that could have been offset by your own solar power.

Why Choose US Power

US Power is a trusted Southern California–based solar brokerage and project management firm dedicated to helping homeowners switch to clean energy with confidence and clarity.

Here’s why thousands of California residents trust US Power:

1. Exclusive Partnership with Qcells

US Power has an exclusive partnership with Qcells, one of the world’s leading solar brands.
We offer factory-direct pricing and American-made panels — built in Georgia and optimized for high-efficiency performance in California’s climate.
This partnership ensures our customers get premium panels without inflated middleman costs.

2. End-to-End Project Management

From site evaluation to final activation, US Power handles everything — design, engineering, permits, interconnection, and inspection.
Our streamlined process minimizes delays, which is crucial with the 2025 tax credit deadline approaching fast.

3. Battery Integration Experts

We specialize in solar + battery systems designed for California’s new NEM 3.0 structure.
Our engineers ensure you maximize self-consumption, reduce grid reliance, and keep your lights on during blackouts.

4. Local Expertise That Speeds Up Approval

With installations across Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange County, our local teams know how to navigate city-by-city permitting timelines — a key advantage when every day counts in meeting the 2025 cutoff.

What You Get with US Power

✅ Free Site Review: We’ll evaluate your roof, shade exposure, and utility rates to calculate your best-fit solar design.
✅ Custom Savings Report: Get a personalized breakdown of ROI, payback period, and available incentives.
✅ Transparent Pricing: No pressure. No hidden fees. Just clear numbers and real options.
✅ Fast Turnaround: Priority scheduling for homeowners installing before December 31, 2025.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline

If you wait until January 2026, the 30% residential solar tax credit drops to 0%.
You’ll lose:

Up to $12,000 in federal savings
Access to select local rebates and financing offers
Priority installation with top-tier local installers
The chance to offset another winter of record-high utility bills

You’ll also face higher equipment and labor costs, as end-of-year demand surges. Many suppliers and installers are already reporting limited availability for Q1 2026, meaning potential delays and price hikes industry-wide.

Reminder: Most reputable installers have already filled Q4 2025 capacity. Waiting even a week could mean missing your installation window.