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 wondering:
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.
| 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 |
Based on what we heard from the market, here's what we're recommending:
The IRS now requires projects to show tangible, site-specific signs of construction — not just deposits or contracts.
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
✅ Most developers still believe they can qualify — but only if documentation is signed soon.
We analyzed which milestones providers say they need to begin construction confidently. The answers depend on project structure:
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.”
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.
If you're planning a solar or storage project and want to capture the ITC:
Finalize your agreement this month.
Confirm your provider’s ability to meet IRS and Executive Order guidance.
List by September 22, 2025
Aim to sign by November 1, 2025
Use Station A to source competitive bids from qualified, ITC-ready developers