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Solar Tax Credit 2025: What Bay Area Homeowners Need to Know Before Incentives Expire

The solar industry is buzzing — not just because of cleaner energy, but because of regulatory changes and federal tax credit deadlines. Right now, homeowners can still take advantage of the 30% Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), but this incentive is scheduled to step down after 2025.

At Ally Electric and Solar Inc. in Richmond, CA, we want to make sure Bay Area homeowners don’t miss out on savings. Here’s what you need to know — and why now is the best time to go solar.

What Is the Federal Solar Tax Credit?

  • The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) lets homeowners deduct 30% of the cost of a solar system (including batteries) from their federal taxes.

  • For an average $20,000 system, that’s a $6,000 savings.

  • Applies to both solar panel systems and energy storage batteries like Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ, and FranklinWH.

What’s Changing After 2025?

  • The 30% tax credit ends after December 31, 2025 unless extended by Congress.

  • After that, the incentive is expected to drop to 0% for residential systems.

  • Businesses may still see reduced credits, but homeowners will lose out entirely.

This means that installing solar in 2025 could be your last chance to maximize savings.

California Policy Shifts to Watch

  • Net Energy Metering (NEM 3.0): Utility compensation for excess solar power has already been reduced, making batteries and self-consumption more important.

  • Time-of-Use Rates: PG&E and other California utilities are raising peak-hour electricity costs. Storing your own power is now the most cost-effective strategy.

  • State Rebates: Some Bay Area homeowners may qualify for battery incentives under the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP).

What This Means for Bay Area Homeowners

  • Act before the deadline: Waiting until 2026 could cost you thousands.

  • Add a battery now: Systems with backup batteries qualify for the 30% ITC.

  • Plan for reliability: Solar + storage helps you avoid blackouts and high evening rates.

How Ally Electric and Solar Inc. Can Help

At Ally Electric and Solar Inc. (Richmond, CA), we’ve helped hundreds of Bay Area families make the switch to solar. Here’s how we can help you:

  • Free solar + battery consultation to calculate your savings.

  • Guidance on tax credit eligibility and paperwork.

  • Installations of Tesla, Enphase, and FranklinWH systems.

  • Main service panel upgrades to handle future EV charging needs.

  • Ongoing maintenance & support so your system keeps paying off.

Don’t miss out on the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit — contact Ally Electric and Solar Inc. today and secure your installation before 2025 ends.

Call us at [Insert Number] or Request a free quote at info@allyelectricandsolar.com/TEL: 510.559.7700 or fill out the form below.


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Tesla vs. Enphase vs. FranklinWH

Tesla vs. Enphase vs. FranklinWH: Which Solar Battery is Right for Your Home?

If you’re considering solar + battery storage for your home, you’ve probably heard of Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, and FranklinWH aPower. All three are leading solutions in the solar energy market — but they are very different in performance, flexibility, and value.

At Ally Electric and Solar Inc. (Richmond, CA), we install all three systems and help homeowners choose the best fit. Let’s compare them side by side.

Tesla Powerwall 2

  • Usable Capacity: 13.5 kWh

  • Power Output: 5 kW continuous, 7 kW peak

  • Scalability: Up to 10 units

  • Warranty: 10 years

  • Best For: Homeowners who want a proven, all-around battery solution with strong brand recognition.

Tesla is popular because it’s widely known and integrates well with Tesla vehicles. However, it lacks advanced bidirectional charging features in the U.S.

Enphase IQ Battery

  • Usable Capacity: 3.36 kWh (modular)

  • Power Output: 1.28 kW (per unit)

  • Scalability: Highly modular (add as many as needed)

  • Warranty: 10 years

  • Best For: Homes that want smaller, scalable batteries — ideal for gradually adding storage over time.

Enphase is great for flexibility and small-to-medium homes, but power output per unit is lower compared to Tesla and FranklinWH.

FranklinWH aPower + aGate

  • Usable Capacity: 13.6 kWh

  • Power Output: 5 kW continuous, 10 kW peak

  • Scalability: Expandable with multiple units

  • Warranty: 12 years (industry leading)

  • Best For: High-demand homes, EV owners, and those seeking bidirectional charging.

FranklinWH stands out for bidirectional charging technology (Vehicle-to-Home ready), smart load management, and one of the strongest power outputs in the industry.

Quick Comparison Matrix

Feature Tesla Powerwall 2 Enphase IQ Battery FranklinWH aPower

Usable Capacity 13.5 kWh 3.36 kWh (modular) 3.6 kWh

Power Output 5 kW cont. / 7 kW peak 1.28 kW (per unit) 5 kW cont. / 10 kW peak

Scalability Up to 10 units Highly modular Expandable

Bidirectional Charging Limited in U.S. Not natively Yes (V2H-ready)

Warranty 10 years 10 years 12 years

Best Use Brand trust, all-around Small homes, flexible growth High-demand + EV-ready homes

Which One is Right for You?

  • Choose Tesla Powerwall if you want a reliable, well-known product with solid all-around performance.

  • Choose Enphase IQ if you want a modular, scalable system for gradual upgrades.

  • Choose FranklinWH if you want the highest performance, EV charging support, and future-ready technology.

How Ally Electric and Solar Inc. Can Help

We know that every Bay Area home has different needs. That’s why at Ally Electric and Solar Inc. (Richmond, CA), we:

  • Provide free assessments of your energy use.

  • Recommend the best battery system (Tesla, Enphase, FranklinWH).

  • Handle main service panel upgrades to support higher loads.

  • Offer professional installation + long-term support.

Whether you need energy security, lower utility bills, or EV charging integration, we’ve got you covered.

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Bidirectional Charging: Tesla vs. Enphase vs. FranklinWH — Which Battery is Best for Your Home?

The future of home energy isn’t just about storing solar power — it’s about using it in smarter ways. Bidirectional charging technology allows your solar battery not only to store energy but also to send power back to your home, your electric vehicle (EV), or even the grid.

At Ally Electric and Solar Inc. in Richmond, CA, we help homeowners choose the right system for true energy independence. Today, we’re comparing three leading solutions: Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, and FranklinWH aPower — with a special emphasis on their bidirectional charging capabilities.

What is Bidirectional Charging?

Traditional backup batteries are “one-way” — they store energy from solar panels and release it later.

Bidirectional charging, on the other hand, enables:

  • Vehicle-to-Home (V2H): Power your home directly from your EV battery.

  • Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): Sell stored energy back to the grid during peak demand.

  • Home-to-Vehicle (H2V): Efficiently charge your EV using your home’s solar + battery system.

This creates a flexible energy ecosystem where your solar panels, backup battery, and EV work together.

Should I Get Bidirectional Charging Technology?

If you own an EV or plan to buy one soon, the answer is yes. Here’s why:

  • Resiliency: Your EV can act as a giant backup battery for your home, providing power during an outage.

  • Savings: Sell excess power back to the grid during peak hours (where utility programs allow).

  • Flexibility: Run your most important appliances during a blackout, even if your solar panels aren’t producing.

  • Future-Proofing: As California moves toward clean energy goals, bidirectional-ready homes will be more valuable.

For many Bay Area homeowners, bidirectional charging is quickly becoming a smart investment, not just a luxury.

Key Advantages of the FranklinWH System

While Tesla Powerwall and Enphase IQ are strong backup solutions, the FranklinWH system is a leader in bidirectional charging technology.

Its key advantages are:

  • 10 kW peak output for reliable EV fast charging and running large appliances.

  • Seamless integration with various EV chargers.

  • Smart load management via the FranklinWH aGate, allowing you to prioritize power to critical circuits.

In short, the FranklinWH system doesn’t just store power — it gives you control, flexibility, and future readiness for the EV-driven home.

How Ally Electric and Solar Inc. Can Help

Bidirectional charging requires more than just a battery. You need a properly configured system that integrates your solar panels, backup battery, main service panel, and EV charger.

At Ally Electric and Solar Inc. (Richmond, CA), we provide:

  • Energy usage assessments to recommend the right solution.

  • Panel upgrades (100A → 200A) for safe integration of solar, batteries, and EV chargers.

  • Installations of Tesla, Enphase, and FranklinWH systems, tailored to your home.

  • Ongoing maintenance and support, so you’re never left in the dark.

Our mission is to help you take full advantage of bidirectional charging — powering your life today while preparing for the energy needs of tomorrow.

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