ABC15 News shares news about a Solar Incentive Loophole

Описание: As headlines warn that the solar industry is bracing for a slowdown with the expiration of the federal residential solar tax credit, a Phoenix-based energy company says homeowners haven’t missed the savings boat at all. In fact, a new financing model delivers the same 30% benefit instantly, without waiting a year or incurring tax liability.

PGT Home Energy Solutions is among the first companies in the Valley to offer a new option called “Synthetic Cash,” a financing structure that provides homeowners with an immediate 30% reduction in the total cost of a solar project. Unlike the traditional residential Investment Tax Credit, which required homeowners to wait months or even years to realize savings, this new model applies the discount upfront at the time of purchase.

“The narrative has been that solar savings are disappearing, but the reality is the tax credit didn’t die, it evolved,” said Greg Field, solar and energy expert with PGT Home Energy Solutions. “Synthetic Cash flips the script by giving homeowners the benefit immediately, regardless of their income level or tax situation.”

Under the former residential credit, homeowners had to install their system by year-end, owe federal taxes, and then wait to claim the credit. Many retirees, lower-income families, and fixed-income homeowners were unable to take full advantage of the incentive. With Synthetic Cash, the savings come off the top on day one.

The model works by utilizing the federal commercial solar tax credit. The financing partner claims the credit and passes the full value directly to the homeowner as an upfront discount. A system that would traditionally cost $30,000 is reduced to approximately $21,000 immediately, functioning like an instant rebate rather than a delayed tax benefit.

“This removes the tax liability barrier completely,” Field said. “It’s immediate, predictable, and accessible.”

PGT Home Energy Solutions says the option is available now and will continue into the new year, even as the residential credit phases out. While similar programs are expected to emerge over time, the company is among the first solar providers in metro Phoenix to offer access to this financing structure.

Field will also be educating local real estate professionals on the impact of Synthetic Cash in January, including how the option affects home values, resale conversations, and seller incentives. He is scheduled to teach a class for HomeSmart real estate agents focused on solar’s role in today’s housing market.

While it is now too late for homeowners to install a system and qualify for the expiring residential tax credit this year, Field says that timing no longer matters.

“Homeowners can purchase now or next year and still capture the same savings,” he said. “The difference is they don’t have to wait, and they don’t have to gamble on their tax return.”

The Synthetic Cash structure is technically set up as a prepaid lease to qualify for the commercial credit, with no monthly payments and full system usage rights for the homeowner. Ownership transfers at no cost in year six, combining the savings of a cash purchase with added consumer protections.

For homeowners feeling confused by the shifting solar landscape, Field says the message is simple.

“This is good news for consumers,” he said. “The incentives are still there. They just work better now.”

About PGT Home Energy Solutions
PGT Home Energy Solutions provides solar, battery storage, and home energy solutions for Arizona homeowners. The company focuses on consumer-first financing options, education, and long-term energy savings. https://pgtenergysolutions.com