Local help matters more than ever
The big federal tax credits for home solar and home EV chargers are gone. That makes state and local help more important than ever. The good news: many utilities and states will still pay for a big chunk of your charger, and some still take thousands off a solar system.
The catch is that these programs are scattered, have strict rules, and often run out of money. This guide shows what's out there, how to find your local deals, and how to avoid losing a rebate on a technicality.
What ended at the federal level
Home solar: the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Home EV chargers: the federal charger credit (the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit) ended for chargers installed after June 30, 2026.
So if you're installing today, the money has to come from your state, your city or your utility.
The three kinds of local help
1. State tax credits. These reduce the state income tax you owe. New York's is one of the best known: 25% of your solar system's cost, up to $5,000. You claim it when you file your state taxes, not up front.
2. Rebates and bill credits. These are cash or credits on your bill, usually from your utility. Many pay for part or all of a smart Level 2 charger, or the electrician's wiring work. Some cities and states also offer solar or battery rebates.
3. Rewards for charging at the right time. Some utilities pay you just for charging off-peak. Why? Your utility would much rather you charge at 2 AM, when demand is low, than at 6 PM, when everyone's cooking dinner. Con Edison's SmartCharge New York, for example, pays 10 cents for every kWh you charge between midnight and 8 AM.
Examples of programs in 2026
Here are some of the most useful programs we found, checked against the utilities' own websites and other sources in October 2026. Programs can change, pause or run out of money at any time. Some details below, like Austin Energy's charger cap and Xcel's wiring rebate, come from third-party summaries, so confirm the current amounts with the utility before you buy anything.
| Where | Home EV charger help | Solar and battery help |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA (LADWP) | Up to $1,000 toward the charger and installation, plus $250 for an EV time-of-use meter. An extra $500 if you're in LADWP's income-assistance programs. | Check LADWP's current solar programs. |
| New Jersey (PSE&G) | Bill credit of up to $1,500 for wiring work ("make-ready"). You pay for the charger. | SREC-II payments through the state's successor solar program. |
| New York City & Westchester (Con Edison) | SmartCharge NY pays 10¢ per kWh for charging from midnight to 8 AM, plus summer bonuses; Con Ed says that averages about $400 a year. | State tax credit: 25% of the cost, up to $5,000. Plus NY-Sun incentives, which vary by region. |
| Colorado (Xcel Energy) | $500 toward home wiring ($1,300 if income-qualified) when you join Xcel's off-peak charging program. | No state solar tax credit, but a 10% state credit for home batteries. Some cities add more: Fort Collins up to $1,500 for solar. |
| Austin, TX (Austin Energy) | About half the cost of a Level 2 charger and installation, up to roughly $1,200. | $4,000 solar rebate for systems of 3 kW or more, using a participating contractor. Solar is then credited at 12.89¢ per kWh. |
How to find your own rebates in 10 minutes
Start with your utility's website. Search for "EV charger rebate," "make-ready" or "solar incentives." Utility programs are often the most generous and the least advertised.
Check the AFDC. The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center (afdc.energy.gov/laws) lists EV charger incentives by state.
Check DSIRE. The DSIRE database (dsireusa.org) lists solar, battery and efficiency incentives by state and utility.
Check your city. Places like Boulder and Fort Collins in Colorado run their own programs on top of state and utility ones.
Ask your installer or electrician. Good local installers know which programs are open, and some will handle the paperwork.
How not to lose your rebate
Utilities are strict. These are the most common ways people miss out:
Buying the wrong charger: most programs only pay for smart, Wi-Fi-connected chargers, and many have an approved list. PSE&G requires an ENERGY STAR certified model, and LADWP has its own Qualifying Product List. A basic "dumb" charger can get your rebate denied.
Skipping the permit: LADWP requires a licensed electrician and a city permit marked "finaled" (passed inspection). PSE&G lets single-family homeowners do the work themselves, but still needs a permit and inspection, and won't pay you for your own labor.
Getting the order wrong: some programs need approval before you install. Austin Energy, for example, requires a solar rebate confirmation letter before installation. Others, like LADWP's charger rebate, are claimed after installation. Read the rules first.
Being on the wrong rate plan: some rewards don't mix with other plans. Con Edison's SmartCharge, for example, isn't available on its residential time-of-use rates.
Waiting too long: programs have yearly budgets. When the money's gone, it's gone until next year. Check that a program still has funding before you buy, and apply promptly.
An example: Kevin in New Jersey
Kevin just bought a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and needed a Level 2 charger in his garage. His electrician quoted $1,100 to run a new 240-volt circuit, and the smart charger he wanted cost $600. That's $1,700 in total.
Before paying, Kevin checked PSE&G's website and found its EV charging program was still open. He made sure his charger was on the ENERGY STAR list, agreed to share his charging data with PSE&G, and sent in his electrician's invoice and the passed permit inspection.
PSE&G gave him a bill credit that covered the full $1,100 of wiring work (the program pays up to $1,500). He still paid for the $600 charger, but half an hour of research cut his total cost by about two-thirds.
(Kevin is an example, not a real customer. PSE&G's separate monthly off-peak charging credit ended on October 1, 2026; the make-ready wiring credit is unaffected.)