Do I need an accountant, lawyer, or solar consultant to do this?

No. The guide is designed for a homeowner working alone and walks you through everything yourself, from auditing the contract to filing the tax paperwork. You only need your solar proposal or contract, access to your utility account, a computer with internet, and — for the final phase — your previous year's federal tax return and the installer's paid invoices.

I already signed the contract — is it too late to use this?

No. The guide is written for U.S. homeowners with a signed or pending rooftop solar proposal. If you already signed, you can still audit the pricing, equipment, warranty, and financing terms, complete the interconnection and permit steps, and file for the federal credit.

What if my deal is a lease or PPA instead of a purchase?

The guide covers that. One phase walks you through identifying the contract type and who owns the system, calculating the true APR of a solar loan including dealer fees, projecting the total cost of a lease or PPA with escalators, and confirming who keeps SRECs, net-metering credits, and state incentives.

Does this guide actually get me the 30% tax credit?

Yes, if you qualify. The final phase covers calculating your allowable credit based on your tax liability and completing IRS Form 5695 to claim the Residential Clean Energy Credit on your federal return. It also includes a step to look up the current IRS rules yourself, so you are not relying on outdated credit details.

How much of this can I do online, and what does it cost?

The whole path is built for a homeowner working alone with a computer and internet, so you do nearly all of it yourself, including submitting the utility interconnection application and your tax return. The only out-of-pocket costs are interconnection and municipal permit fees, roughly $0–$500. You will need your utility login or a recent bill, and for the last phase your previous year's federal tax return and final paid invoices.

Will this help me pick an installer or size a battery?

No. The guide assumes you already have a proposal from a licensed installer. It does not cover installation labor, choosing an installer, or evaluating battery storage separately.

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Audit your solar contract and claim the 30% tax credit

A solar installation bought on fair terms and fully credited — the contract audited against regional dollar-per-watt benchmarks, warranty and lease escalator clauses understood, the utility net-metering interconnection application filed, municipal permits signed off, and IRS Form 5695 filed to claim the Residential Clean Energy Credit.

Fby Finito HQEchipa Finito

Created 2 months agoUpdated last month

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Who it's for

U.S. homeowners who have a signed or pending rooftop solar proposal and want to verify the pricing, terms, and equipment before signing — and then claim the full 30% federal credit on their taxes.

About this playbook

This guide walks you through auditing an installer’s solar proposal and claiming the 30% federal tax credit on your own. You will compare the quoted price per watt against your region’s benchmarks, verify equipment and warranty terms, and decode financing, lease, or PPA clauses so you know exactly what you are signing. The path covers the utility interconnection application, municipal permitting steps, and the final tax paperwork. It does not cover installation labor, choosing an installer, or evaluating battery storage separately. Everything is designed for a homeowner working alone, without hiring a consultant or lawyer.

What you'll do, step by stepFree preview

5 phases · 21 steps

Only a sample is open: 4 of 21 steps can be read in full. The rest unlock when you buy.

Phase 1: Gather your documents and establish benchmarks
4 steps
Phase 2: Audit the contract pricing and equipment
4 steps
Phase 3: Scrutinize financing, lease, or PPA terms
4 steps
Phase 4: Complete interconnection and secure permits
4 steps
Phase 5: Finalize installation sign-off and claim the federal tax credit
5 steps

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Details

Estimated duration6 hours

Steps21

Estimated budget$0–$500 USD for interconnection application and permit fees

What you need first

A solar proposal or contract from a licensed installer. Access to your utility account (online login or recent bill). A computer with internet access. For Phase 5, you will need your previous year’s federal tax return and the final paid invoices from the installer.