At Station A, we know policy changes can create confusion — and costly delays. That’s why we’re here to help. On August 15, the U.S. Treasury released new guidance redefining when solar and storage projects officially “start construction” under the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This shift has left many project owners and developers confused.

  • Can I still qualify for the ITC?
  • What do I need in place to meet the new rules?
  • How much time do I really have?

To answer these questions with more than speculation, Station A surveyed our amazing network of providers this week — to give you the latest intel from the market.

✅ What You Need to Know

Question Answer
Can I still qualify for the ITC in 2025? Yes — if you act fast
What do providers need to get started? Payment, permits, interconnection, or an LOI
What’s the deadline to sign for large projects? ~November 15, 2025 (median)
What’s the latest I can sign for smaller projects? ~March 31, 2026 (median)
What if I wait until 2026? You may miss the ITC window entirely
Where can I find qualified developers? Station A’s Marketplace

📌 Our Guidance to Project Owners

Based on what we heard from the market, here's what we're recommending:

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🧾 What Changed on August 15

The IRS now requires projects to show tangible, site-specific signs of construction — not just deposits or contracts. The key changes:

  • Safe harboring no longer guarantees eligibility

  • Providers must show progress like:

    • Interconnection approval

    • Building permits

    • Site work

    • Signed LOI (for leases)

  • Delayed commitments could disqualify otherwise viable projects

📊 What the Market Is Saying

Can Providers Still Secure the ITC? Most developers still believe they can qualify — but only if documentation is signed soon.

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🛠️ What Developers Need

We analyzed which milestones providers say they need to begin construction confidently. The answers depend on project structure:

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⚠️ What Happens If You Wait

About 12% of providers said they cannot support ITC eligibility under current conditions. Reasons include:

  • Long utility interconnection delays (especially with IOUs)

  • Permitting bottlenecks (notably in CA and MD)

  • Incomplete or delayed customer commitments

“We can’t move forward without permits or interconnection approvals.”
“LOIs are the only way we can move on CS deals fast enough.”
“Too much risk to hold inventory without a signed contract.”

🙌 A Thank You to Our Provider Network

This guidance is made possible by real-time insights from the Station A provider community. Thank you to the dozens of developers who shared timelines, risks, and recommendations. Your transparency is helping buyers across the country navigate this transition with clarity.

✅ Have an Active Project?

  • Finalize your agreement this month.

  • Confirm your provider’s ability to meet IRS and Executive Order guidance.

📅 Starting a New Project?

  • List by September 22, 2025

  • Aim to sign by November 1, 2025

  • Use Station A to source competitive bids from qualified, ITC-ready developers

 

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