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The Federal Reserve cut interest rates, and while it’s meant to support the broader economy, here’s how it helps homeowners go solar.

Last week, the Fed cut interest rates by a half point, lowering the benchmark lending rate to 4.75-5.25%. Over the past few years, higher interest rates meant that financing a solar system was more expensive, which pushed out the break-even point for those investing in solar. Many homeowners and business owners became hesitant to take the plunge.

But now, the Fed’s September rate cut – combined with dropping installation costs – makes going solar even more attractive. Homeowners will see faster returns on their solar investments compared to a year ago. According to a blog by EnergySage, this 50-basis-point reduction means that a $30,000 home solar system could cost around $3,000 less over the course of a 20-year loan, thanks to reduced interest payments.

Even though solar is a solid investment in any interest-rate environment, lower rates make the math even better. As Spencer Fields, director of insights at EnergySage, puts it: “This rate cut will save solar shoppers thousands of dollars in interest over the lifetime of their solar panels. Most solar adopters finance their system with a loan, so dropping interest rates will help make solar more affordable and likely drive up demand for new commercial and residential solar installations.”

How do lower interest rates make rooftop solar cheaper?

Your savings with solar depends on several factors, including local electricity prices, how much energy you use, and state policies like net metering. But if you’re financing your system with a loan, the interest rate is a critical part of the equation.

Just like with a mortgage, the lower the interest rate, the less you pay over time. The average home solar panel system costs about $30,000, and according to EnergySage, 85% of homeowners finance their solar system. A 4.75% interest rate on a $30,000, 20-year loan would cost you around $16,500 in interest. At a 5.50% interest rate, that same loan jumps to $19,500 in interest. That’s a $3,000 difference just from the Fed’s rate cut.

And if you manage to pay off your loan in less than 10 years, the combination of the rate cut and early repayment could save you as much as $10,000 in interest for a 20-year loan.

It’s also important to consider the full cost of the loan. Fees and other charges can vary depending on your lender. That’s why it’s crucial to look at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), not just the interest rate, as the APR gives you the full picture of your costs.

A faster payback period for solar

Solar isn’t just a green choice – it’s a smart financial move. Many homeowners pay off their solar loans in less than 10 years, which means everything after that is pure savings. If you lock in a lower interest rate, you’ll hit that payback period even faster.

EnergySage reports that the average homeowner using their Marketplace pays off their solar loan in under 10 years, even if they take out a 20-year loan. With rates down, you’ll be able to reach that milestone sooner and save even more in the long run.

Should you wait for interest rates to drop further?

There’s a lot of talk about the Fed cutting rates again by the end of the year and possibly more in 2025. But trying to time interest rate changes can be as tricky as timing the stock market. While the Fed has hinted at future rate cuts, nothing is set in stone. If inflation shifts or the job market takes an unexpected turn, the Fed could adjust its course. So while it’s tempting to wait, there’s no guarantee rates will keep falling.

Read more: Here’s how much money you’ll get with the Inflation Reduction Act

If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus gets up to $2,300 early-bird savings, EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra expanded bundle at new $5,604 low, more

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3 hours ago

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September 12, 2025

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Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus gets up to ,300 early-bird savings, EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra expanded bundle at new ,604 low, more

Today’s Green Deals is packed with power station deals, alongside some EVs, tools, and security devices too. Headlining our end-of-the-week edition is Jackery’s new HomePower 3600 Plus Portable Power Station, which is getting up to $2,300 in early-bird member-only discounts, starting from $1699. We also spotted EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra with an expansion battery (12.2kWh) hitting a new $5,604 low, as well as Anker’s SOLIX Fan Fest four-unit weekend flash sale, which has returned the F3000 Portable Power Station to its $1,599 Prime Day low, among others. From there, we have EcoFlow’s parallel Outdoor Sale, an exclusive deal on Anker’s newest solar-powered security cameras, Hiboy’s Fall EV Sale, a Worx backpack blower, and more waiting for you below. Plus, there are all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s exclusive Bluetti Apex 300 station and bundle deals, the Lectric Endless Summer e-bike Sale, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Get up to $2,300 in early-bird savings on Jackery’s new HomePower 3600 Plus LiFePO4 power station starting from $1,699

Jackery has just launched its early-bird member-only discounts (free to sign up) on its new HomePower 3600 Plus Portable Power Station starting from $1,699 shipped that will run through September 21, along with some bundle options, as well (more on those below). This new unit follows right behind the recent launch of the HomePower 3000 station, carrying a slightly higher full price of $2,799, and also coming in $100 higher at Amazon. This is the first chance at savings ahead of the new backup solution officially releasing, with it getting $1,100 here that sets the bar for future discounts down the road.

It’s quite a surprise to see Jackery releasing this new HomePower 3600 Plus unit not long after its HomePower 3000 model’s release, though it makes sense as this new descendant fills the gap between the 3000 and the brand’s Explorer 5000 Plus home backup unit. It starts with a 3,584Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity that can expand as high as 21kWh with additional equipment. It provides up to 3,600W of steady output and surges up to 7,200W for hungrier devices/appliances, complete with 10 port options that include five AC outlets, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and a car port.

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As the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus is a bolstered descendant to the HomePower 3000, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that it brings much of the same charging capabilities to the table, with plugging into a standard outlet having it back to a full battery in 2.5 hours, while also offering options for dual AC and DC charging, gas generator bypass charging, a maximum 1,000W solar input, and a car port to charge as you drive.

Jackery’s early-bird HomePower 3600 Plus member deals:

Jackery’s Amazon-only HomePower 3600 Plus deals:

EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra powering computer during blackout

You can now save $3,195 on EcoFlow’s expanded DELTA Pro Ultra 12.2kWh bundle at a new $5,604 low

Over at Wellbots, we just spotted an amazing opportunity for anyone wanting to go big with their home backup support, with EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra Power Station bundled with one expansion battery at $5,604.05 shipped, which appears after an automatic 5% discount is applied in your cart, and currently beats Amazon’s pricing by $894. While it carries a $9,397 MSRP directly from the brand (currently $6798), at Wellbots, however, it starts off at a lower $8,799 full price. The discounts we’ve seen up until today have only ever dropped costs on this package as low as $6,299, which we last saw during July’s Prime Day event. The deal here gives you more savings than ever as $3,195 is cut from the tag (not to mention it’s $3,793 off its MSRP), landing it at a new all-time low price.

If you want to learn more about this power station’s capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Anker SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station sitting in front of open refrigerator

Anker’s SOLIX Fan Fest weekend flash sale drops new F3000 power station back to $1,599 Prime Day low

As part of its ongoing SOLIX Fan Fest Sale running through September 21, Anker has launched a weekend flash sale that is bringing the costs down on four different units. Among them, we spotted Anker’s new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station with a FREE 120V generator input adapter dropping down to $1,599 shipped, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $51, and sadly, the extra 5% savings code isn’t valid for these deals. It was already brought down from its $2,599 full price to $1,649 in the sale, with the flash savings here returning it to this rate for the first time since it appeared during July’s Prime Day event. You’re looking at the second-ever chance to pick it up at the best price we have tracked – plus, you’re getting the free adapter cable that is valued at $99 normally, which only sweetens the pot.

If you want to learn more about this power station’s capabilities, as well as the three other offers, be sure to check out our original coverage of this flash sale here.

man drinking beverage outside RV next to EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max power station

EcoFlow’s parallel Outdoor Sale gears you up for adventures in nature with up to 62% discounts starting from $90

Running alongside its Home Backup/Hurricane Preparedness Sale, EcoFlow also has a separate Outdoor Sale running through September 14 with up to 62% discounts on power stations, power banks, and bundles tailored for adventures in nature, complete with bonus savings. Among the lineup, we spotted EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station bundled with an 800W alternator charger at $1,139.05 shipped, after using the code 25EFDCAFF at checkout for a bonus 5% off, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $760. This bundle fetches $2,498 at full price direct from the brand, though it can usually be found for $1,899 at Amazon. Discounts over the year have dropped costs as low as $1,049, with those two deals both happening in July. The deal we’re seeing here is a combined $1,359 markdown off the MSRP, which lands it at the second-lowest price we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this particular bundle, or check out the other great outdoor backup power solutions seeing discounts, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

Anker EufyCam S3 Pro solar security camera mounted to exterior wall on sunny day

Save an exclusive $120 on Anker’s solar-powered EufyCam S3 Pro 4K 2-camera kit at second-best $430

We’ve secured an exclusive deal from Wellbots on the Anker EufyCam S3 Pro Solar-Powered 4K 2-Camera Kit with HomeBase 3 for $429.99 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5EUFY120 at checkout. Normally going for $550 at full price, this newer security alternative has mostly seen drops to $440 throughout 2025, with a one-time fall to the $380 low back during July’s Prime Day. The deal here is giving you a 22% markdown that cuts $120 off the going rate for the second-lowest rate we have tracked and the best current price we can find.

If you want to learn more about this 2-camera bundle, be sure to check out our original coverage of this exclusive deal here.

man riding Hiboy's EX6F Folding e-bike down road

Hiboy’s Fall Sale takes up to 50% off EVs, like the new and improved EX6F Folding e-bike at $980

Hiboy has launched its Fall Sale that is taking up to 50% off its lineup of e-bikes and e-scooters, with three tiers of extra savings at certain price thresholds. Among the lineup, we spotted the brand’s new EX6F Low-Step Foldable e-bike at $979.98 shipped, after using the code FALL20 at checkout, which beats out Amazon’s current pricing by $170. This model hit the market mid-June with a $1,580 price tag, which has mostly kept down at $1000 in sales since, save for the original launch deal that saw it drop to $950. The deal we’re seeing during this sale is a combined 38% markdown that cuts $600 off the tag for the second-lowest price we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this new e-bike, as well as the other models seeing discounts, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

man clearing leaves with Worx Nitro 80V Cordless backpack leaf blower

Worx’s Nitro 80V cordless backpack leaf blower kit produces up to 800 CFM clearing power for $400

Amazon is offering the Worx Nitro 80V 800 CFM Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower for $399.99 shipped. It normally fetches $500 at full price, with the discounts we’ve seen through the year having regularly returned costs to this same rate. While we did see it fall within a range of $362 to $349, that was a one-time occurrence that we haven’t seen again since late April, with you otherwise getting the next-best pricing here. You’ll save $100 off the going rate for the best price we can currently find, all while upgrading your arsenal from more standard hand-carry models.

If you want to learn more about this leaf blower, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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Toyota is recalling over 590,000 vehicles and halting EV sales

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3 hours ago

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September 12, 2025

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Toyota is recalling over 590,000 vehicles and halting EV sales

Toyota-recalling-vehicles

Toyota was hit with a major recall on Friday, impacting around 591,000 vehicles in the US. The company is recalling certain RAV4, Camry, Corolla, Grand Highlander, and several Lexus models. The situation gets worse with another recall leading to a stop-sale of Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru electric vehicles.

Toyota recalls 591,000 vehicles, halts EV sales in the US

On Friday, Toyota issued a voluntary recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) involving roughly 591,000 cars in the US.

The recall affects select Toyota Venza, Crown, Crown Signia, RAV4, GR Corolla, 4Runner, Camry, Grand Highlander, Tacoma, and Highlander models, as well as specific Lexus LS, RX, and TX vehicles.

Toyota said the recall is due to a glitch with the infotainment system. The 12.3″ display screen could fail to turn on after starting the vehicle, or even worse, go blank while driving. Toyota will begin notifying those with impacted vehicles by mid-November 2025.

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In a separate notice last week, Toyota issued another major recall, impacting nearly 95,000 electric vehicles. The recall involved certain 2023 to 2025 Toyota bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterras.

Toyota-bZ4X-recall
2025 Toyota bZ4X Limited AWD Supersonic Red (Source: Toyota)

The bZ4X accounts for the majority of those being recalled, with nearly 41,500, followed by the Solterra at 32,320 and the Lexus RZ with 20,501.

Toyota instructed dealers to halt sales of bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra models produced up to mid-June. All of which are based on the same platform. According to the memo, the recall is due to a faulty defroster, which is pretty self-explanatory as to why it poses a safety risk.

2025-Subaru-Solterra-EV-recall
2025 Subaru Solterra (Source: Subaru)

If your vehicle is included in the recall, you can take it to a dealer, where they will update the HVAC control ECU software, free of charge.

Toyota plans to mail notification letters to owners on October 20, 2025. You can contact Toyota’s customer service hotline at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s recall numbers are 25TB07 and 25TA07. Lexus’ numbers for this recall are 25LB04 and 25LA04. Subaru’s recall number is WRD-25.

You can also contact the NHTSA hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the website NHTSA.gov for more information.


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VW on Tesla Supercharger access: be patient, it should be coming this year

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4 hours ago

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September 12, 2025

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VW on Tesla Supercharger access: be patient, it should be coming this year

public EV charging ports

VW is advising customers to be a little more patient with Tesla Supercharger access, as it claims to be experiencing technical issues.

The German brand is the last one to give Supercharger access to its North American EV owners.

Tesla first announced the opening of its Supercharger network to other electric vehicles in 2021, but the rollout has been slow.

The automaker successfully persuaded the rest of the North American auto industry to adopt its connector as the new standard. It struck deals with them to gain access to its Supercharger network, which is by far the best and most reliable fast-charging EV network in North America, thereby sweetening the deal.

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However, the transition wasn’t exactly smooth.

Last year, Elon Musk fired Tesla’s entire charging team, which had built the world’s best charging network, over a dispute with the team’s head. Tesla ended up having to rehire some of the staff, and other automakers admitted that this slowed down the Supercharger integration process.

Nonetheless, the integration started to be finalized this year, with electric vehicles from virtually all other automakers now having access to most Tesla Superchargers in North America.

However, there’s one big exception: VW electric vehicles, specifically the ID.4 and ID Buzz.

Last week, Porsche and Audi, which are both part of the Volkswagen Group, announced that their North American EV owners have now access to the Supercharger network.

This led people to believe that VW shouldn’t be too far behind.

VW has now commented on encountering “technical challenges” and has asked owners for their patience. The German automaker still believes that access should come by the end of the year (via PC Mag):

“Volkswagen looks forward to making it possible for ID. Buzz and ID.4 vehicle owners to gain access to the Tesla NACS Partner Superchargers. The timeline has been delayed by technical challenges, and we ask for customers’ patience. We still expect to deliver access this year.”

It’s unclear what those technical challenges are, but VW has been experiencing notorious software issues for years now.

More recently, the company decided to partner with Rivian for assistance with the software side.


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