What changed
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21, signed July 4, 2025) permanently restored 100% first-year bonus depreciation for qualifying property acquired and placed in service after January 19, 2025. Commercial solar and storage equipment has generally been depreciable business property. Whether specific components qualify, and on what recovery schedule, is a question for your tax advisor.
The §48E clock for commercial solar
The same law narrowed the clean-electricity credits for wind and solar. Projects that began construction by July 4, 2026 may have a longer continuity window; otherwise, solar generally must be placed in service by December 31, 2027 to qualify. IRS guidance on what counts as beginning construction has been challenged in court, so treat any safe-harbor claim cautiously.
Storage keeps §48E eligibility much longer — full value for projects beginning construction through 2033, then phasing down — subject to rules on foreign-entity sourcing for projects starting after 2025.
Credit and depreciation together
When a business claims the investment credit, the depreciable basis is generally reduced by a portion of the credit. The result can still be a substantial first-year benefit. We give your CPA the project cost, equipment list and in-service timeline; they tell you what you can use.
Tax-exempt organizations don’t use depreciation. Nonprofits, churches and municipalities have separate pathways such as elective pay; see our nonprofit solar page.
Timing your project
With a December 2027 placed-in-service deadline for solar credits, a commercial project that needs engineering, utility interconnection review and equipment lead times shouldn’t start late in 2027. We build the schedule backward from the deadline and tell you honestly if it’s tight.
Sources & dated facts
- 100% bonus depreciation permanently restored for property acquired and placed in service after 2025-01-19 (P.L. 119-21).As of Sep 23, 2026
FAQ
Questions we hear
Is 100% bonus depreciation available for solar in 2026?
The 2025 tax law restored 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying property acquired and placed in service after January 19, 2025. Whether your project qualifies, and how much you can use, depends on your tax situation — ask your CPA.
What’s the deadline for the commercial solar tax credit?
Generally, solar must be placed in service by December 31, 2027 unless construction began by July 4, 2026. Guidance on beginning construction has been litigated; confirm with a tax advisor as of the date you plan.
Does commercial battery storage have the same deadline?
No. Storage keeps full §48E eligibility for projects beginning construction through 2033, with foreign-entity sourcing rules for projects starting after 2025.
Can I take both the tax credit and bonus depreciation?
Generally yes, with the depreciable basis reduced by part of the credit. Your CPA will model the combination for your business.
Can a nonprofit use bonus depreciation?
No, tax-exempt entities don’t pay income tax. They may be eligible for elective-pay credits instead; verify current rules.