217 Today: With a federal tax credit ending early, installing home solar is about to get more expensive

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Don and Rhonda McClure stand in front of a solar array on their farm in eastern Nebraska. They added a battery back-up in the spring of 2025, and they're installing more solar for an outbuilding before the Residential Clean Energy Credit expires at the end of the year.
  • Photo: Maria Altman / Harvest Public Media

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Today’s headlines: 

  • Some businesses in Champaign were under a boil water order yesterday afternoon.
  • New Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson says agriculture producers are getting prices for crops and animals that are the same as 1974 after adjusting for inflation.
  • Electric vehicle maker Rivian is making the case it is ready to catch up with and surpass Tesla in self-driving vehicle software.
  • Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is mourning the lives lost in Australia this weekend, when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah festival.

In today’s deep dive, a federal incentive for homeowner solar is rapidly expiring. Congress voted this summer to eliminate the tax credit at the end of this year. But people in the solar industry remain optimistic.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Orellana. Reporting today contributed by Reginald Hardwick, Charlie Schlenker, Mawa Iqbal and Rachel Cramer.

 

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Stephanie Orellana