Secure Your Savings Before 2026: How Safe Harbor Protects Your Solar Investment
From community centers and churches to manufacturing plants and office campuses, organizations across Western North Carolina are turning to solar to reduce costs, cut emissions, and strengthen local energy independence.
But for many, timing is everything — and 2025 represents a critical window of opportunity.
What’s Changing in 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, the rules governing the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar energy will shift dramatically. To qualify for these credits, organizations will face new restrictions around sourcing components from Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC) and will need to meet higher domestic content thresholds — increasing from 45% to 50%.
While these changes support the growth of American manufacturing, they’ll also make it more expensive and more complex for many organizations to qualify for the current 30–50% tax credits. That’s where the Safe Harbor Provision comes in.
What Is the Safe Harbor Provision?
The Safe Harbor provision allows you to lock in today’s tax credits by making a small, upfront investment before December 31, 2025 — even if your solar installation happens as late as 2027.
For many organizations, this means putting down as little as a 5–7% deposit (or securing an interest-only loan) to safeguard their eligibility for the full credits and incentives available now.
In short, Safe Harbor for your project gives you:
30–50% guaranteed tax credits under current rules
Protection from stricter 2026 sourcing requirements
Time to plan, design, and install your system through 2027
Why Acting Early Matters
As more organizations move to solar, U.S. manufacturing capacity will grow — but in the short term, delays in scaling and supply chains could limit availability and drive up costs. By Safe Harboring your project before the end of 2025, you lock in financial certainty while staying flexible on timing and implementation.
It’s a strategy that blends fiscal responsibility with environmental stewardship — something many of our partners have already embodied.
The Business Case: SBFI North America
For SBFI North America, a global manufacturer with a facility in Western North Carolina, solar energy represented both smart business and sound environmental strategy.
When Procurement Manager Zach Gilgen joined the team, he saw the company’s sprawling campus as “the perfect solar opportunity.” Under SBFI’s broader “Road to 50” sustainability plan, he pitched the project as “Green on Green” — green for the planet and green for the company’s bottom line.
Partnering with Sugar Hollow Solar, SBFI installed a 125.13 kW system made up of 258 Q CELLS panels, reducing their energy consumption by 75% in the first week alone.
By leveraging the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and MACRS depreciation, SBFI received over $123,000 in incentives, cutting their upfront cost nearly in half and putting them on track for a 6–8 year ROI.
“The return on investment is a small fraction of the lifespan these panels have... You’re talking 17–18 additional years of offsetting energy costs. That’s a huge gain — and the environmental impact is just a win-win.”
— Zach Gilgen, Procurement Manager at SBFI North America
In just six weeks, SBFI’s system produced over 25.81 MWh of clean energy, the equivalent of 305 trees planted and 20,000+ pounds of coal avoided. For a manufacturer running 24/5 operations, the results were immediate and measurable — lower utility costs, reduced volatility, and clear progress toward their net-zero by 2030 goal.
A Story of Faith, Leadership, and Action: Trinity Presbyterian Church
In 2018, a Sunday school class at Trinity Presbyterian sparked a conversation about climate change — and ultimately, a movement within the congregation. Guided by members like Enrique Sánchez and Tom Karvonen, the church launched a fundraising campaign to bring solar to its campus.
By partnering with Sugar Hollow Solar, Trinity installed 129 solar panels in two phases, reducing their electricity expenses by 67% and saving over $30,000+ since 2020.
More importantly, their system has offset over 90% of their carbon emissions, equivalent to planting more than 3,000 trees.
Their story proves what’s possible when communities act with purpose — and do so at the right time.
The Takeaway: Secure Your Safe Harbor Now
Whether you’re a church, nonprofit, municipality, or business, Safe Harboring your solar project before December 31, 2025, can be one of the smartest financial and environmental decisions you make this decade.
By locking in today’s incentives, you’re protecting your organization’s bottom line, reducing operational costs, and strengthening your community’s energy independence — all while contributing to a cleaner, more resilient future.
Now Is the Time to Act.
Talk with one of our Commercial Energy Consultants to learn how we can help you Safe Harbor your project before the deadline. From financing options to free proposals, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
👉 Reach out today to get started.
