A solar skylight is a venting skylight that opens and closes with a solar-powered motor instead of a manual pole or hardwired electricity. A small photovoltaic panel on the frame charges an internal battery, that battery runs the opening mechanism, and a factory-fitted rain sensor closes the unit automatically when it starts to rain. No wiring runs to the roof, so an electrician is not part of the job, and at October 2026 retail a VELUX VSS solar unit costs the same as the wired VSE of the same size ($1,743 for the smallest C01).
The tax picture changed in 2026. Many product pages and older buyer’s guides still promise a 30% federal tax credit on these units, but the Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025, per the IRS, and VELUX itself stopped certifying solar skylights for that credit in 2024. What is left is the price: VELUX’s solar deck-mount VSS lists at $1,743 to $2,472 at retail, and VELUX quotes $2,900 to $5,150 installed for a replacement.
What is a solar skylight?
A solar skylight is a roof-mounted venting skylight whose open-close motor is powered by a built-in solar panel and rechargeable battery, not by household wiring. VELUX sells it as the Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylight, model code VSS (deck-mounted) or VCS (curb-mounted); Fakro’s versions are the FVS (deck-mounted) and FVC-S (curb-mounted). VELUX says the panel charges “a small, concealed battery even on cloudy days”, so the vent still operates after dark on stored charge.
The term is sometimes confused with a solar tube (a tubular daylight device such as a VELUX Sun Tunnel or Solatube) or a rooftop solar panel. A solar skylight is neither. It is a glass venting skylight where solar power runs only the motor, rain sensor and any solar shade, while daylight and fresh air come through the opening itself.
How a solar skylight works
A solar skylight replaces the crank or pole with a battery-powered actuator and a rain sensor. The VELUX Fresh Air product page and Fakro’s FVS page describe the same five parts, and none of them draw power from the house.
- Photovoltaic panel: a small cell on the frame or hood (on the Fakro FVS G31 it sits on the skylight hood on a metal console), sized only to charge the battery.
- Rechargeable battery: stores charge so the skylight opens on demand at night or during overcast weather.
- Chain actuator: the motor that pushes the sash open.
- Rain sensor: VELUX Fresh Air units use a piezoelectric sensor that reacts to the sound of rain hitting it; Fakro’s FVS sensor is active only while the skylight is open and switches on a few seconds after opening.
- Remote control: VELUX ships a pre-programmed remote; Fakro’s FVS uses a Z-Wave radio system for smart-home integration.
Because the system is self-contained, a solar skylight installs with the same flashing and curb work as a manual unit of the same size code. The difference sits in the frame, not in the roof penetration, and the same IRC R308.6 skylight glazing and curb rules apply.
Solar vs electric vs manual vs fixed skylights
The four skylight types split on two questions: does it open, and how is the opening powered. Holding the size constant shows the real premium. The prices are VELUX deck-mounted units, each sold with a solar room-darkening shade, as listed on SolarSkylights.com on October 19, 2026.
| VELUX size code (deck mount) | Fixed FS | Manual VS | Electric VSE | Solar VSS | Solar premium over manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C01 (21 x 26-7/8 in) | $618 | $947 | $1,743 | $1,743 | $796 |
| C06 (21 x 45-3/4 in) | $711 | $1,038 | $1,900 | $1,900 | $862 |
| M06 (30-1/16 x 45-3/4 in) | $795 | $1,122 | $2,042 | $2,042 | $920 |
| S06 (44-1/4 x 45-3/4 in) | $963 | $1,375 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $1,032 |
At this retailer the solar VSS and the electric VSE carry identical list prices at every size, so the choice between them comes down to wiring: the VSE needs a circuit run to the opening, the VSS does not. Against a manual VS of the same size, the solar unit costs $796 to $1,032 more. If you are still deciding whether the room needs an opening unit at all, our guide to fixed vs vented skylights compares light, cost, and leak risk.
| If your situation is | Pick | Why (published figure) |
|---|---|---|
| Opening out of reach of a crank pole, no power in the attic | Solar VSS or Fakro FVS | No circuit needed; VSS lists at the same price as the electric VSE |
| Open attic with a circuit nearby, or a hardwired control system | Electric VSE | Same list price as VSS; no battery to replace |
| Opening within reach, ventilation wanted | Manual VS | $796 to $1,032 less than VSS at matched sizes |
| Light only, no ventilation | Fixed FS | $618 to $963 with a solar shade |
| Roof flatter than 3:12 | Curb-mounted VCS or Fakro FVC-S | IRC R308.6.8 requires a curb at least 4 in above the roof plane below 3:12 unless the maker’s instructions say otherwise |
| Counting on a federal tax credit | Price the job without one | 25D and 25C both ended for property placed in service after Dec 31, 2025 |
What does a solar skylight cost in 2026?
A solar skylight costs $1,743 to $2,472 for a VELUX VSS deck-mount unit and $2,113 to $2,243 for the two VCS curb-mount sizes listed, before installation, at October 2026 retail. VELUX’s own project pricing for its skylight systems is $2,900 to $5,150 for replacing an old skylight and $3,900 to $7,150 for a new single skylight, including labor for interior and exterior finish work. A new opening costs more because it adds cutting the deck, framing a header between rafters, and building and finishing the light shaft.
| Line item | 2026 figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| VELUX VSS solar deck-mount, with solar shade | $1,743 (C01) to $2,472 (S06 with options) | SolarSkylights.com, Oct 19, 2026 |
| VELUX VCS solar curb-mount, with solar shade | $2,113 (fits 49-1/2 x 33-1/2 in curb) to $2,243 (49-1/2 x 49-1/2 in) | SolarSkylights.com, Oct 19, 2026 |
| Replacement, product plus installation | $2,900 to $5,150 | VELUX USA project pricing |
| New opening, product plus installation | $3,900 to $7,150 | VELUX USA project pricing |
| VELUX warranty | 10 years installation, 20 years glass, 10 years product, 5 years shades and controls | VELUX USA solar Fresh Air page |
For a full breakdown of how skylight prices move by type and size, see our skylight installation cost by type guide, and the VELUX Fresh Air skylight lineup for model-by-model pricing.
The solar skylight tax credit ended after 2025
Solar skylights do not qualify for a federal tax credit in 2026. The Residential Clean Energy Credit (Internal Revenue Code Section 25D) was ended by Public Law 119-21 (signed July 4, 2025), and the IRS now states that “the credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025.” Per IRS guidance on that law, the expenditure counts when installation is completed, so a unit finished in 2026 gets nothing.
The credit was shaky for skylights even before the law changed. VELUX’s federal tax credit page says that “after a recent review of US tax law, we find that we are unable to certify that any solar powered skylight, accessory or related installation cost qualify under the Residential Clean Energy Credit 25(D)”, and that VELUX will refrain from promoting 25D. Retailer pages that still advertise “30% federal tax credit, through 2032” are repeating the Inflation Reduction Act schedule that both VELUX’s 2024 statement and the 2025 law overrode.
Two points remain for past installs. First, if a solar skylight installation was completed on or before December 31, 2025 and you claimed 25D, the IRS allows unused credit to carry forward to later years, but VELUX’s statement means you should have a tax professional confirm the item qualified. Second, the separate Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C) covered skylights that meet ENERGY STAR Most Efficient requirements, capped at $600 a year for windows and skylights combined, and the IRS 25C page limits it to improvements made through December 31, 2025. Our federal solar tax credit rules guide tracks what survived for larger solar systems.
Is a solar skylight still worth it without the credit?
Without a credit, a solar skylight is worth it mainly for convenience and ventilation. You pay $796 to $1,032 more than a manual VS of the same size for three things: automatic rain closing, remote operation of an opening you cannot reach, and no circuit to the roof. VELUX also says its shades can improve a skylight’s energy performance by up to 45%, depending on size and placement, and the solar shade is included in the listed prices above.
The strongest arguments for paying the solar premium over a manual vented skylight:
- Hard-to-reach openings: high ceilings, stairwells, and bathrooms where a crank pole is impractical.
- Storm regions: the rain sensor closes the unit when you are away or asleep, which manual skylights cannot do.
- No attic wiring: retrofits where running a hardwired circuit to the roof would cost more than the solar premium.
If none of those apply, a manual VS delivers the same glazing and the same opening size for $796 to $1,032 less at October 2026 list prices. Glazing performance is covered in energy-efficient skylight glazing.
Solar skylight brands and models
VELUX and Fakro are the two makers with dedicated solar venting skylight lines on US retail shelves. VELUX markets its line as Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylights and uses a letter code that tells you the mount and the power type, so knowing it prevents ordering a manual unit by mistake, since the frames look similar. Size is a separate code, listed in our VELUX skylight size chart.
| Brand and model | Mount | Power | Published detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VELUX VSS | Deck-mounted | Solar | Piezoelectric rain sensor, remote included; $1,743 to $2,472 | VELUX USA; SolarSkylights.com |
| VELUX VCS | Curb-mounted | Solar | $2,113 to $2,243 for 49-1/2 in curbs | SolarSkylights.com |
| VELUX VSE / VCE | Deck / curb | Electric | VSE same list price as VSS by size | SolarSkylights.com |
| Fakro FVS | Deck-mounted | Solar | Roof pitch 15 to 85 degrees; Z-Wave; FVS G31 U-factor 0.45, SHGC 0.21 | Fakro USA FVS page |
| Fakro FVC-S | Curb-mounted | Solar | For flat and pitched roofs | Fakro USA shop |
Rooftop solar adoption numbers, as opposed to solar-powered accessories like these, are tracked in our solar roofing adoption report.
How a solar skylight gets installed
Installing a solar skylight follows the same sequence as any venting skylight, minus the wiring step. A same-size replacement reuses the existing opening; a new opening adds structural framing and interior finish, which is why VELUX’s new-install range starts $1,000 higher than its replacement range.
- Confirm the opening. Measure the existing curb or rough opening and match it to the maker’s size code (for VELUX, the size chart linked above). On a roof flatter than 3:12, plan a curb at least 4 in high per IRC R308.6.8.
- Cut and frame. Open the roof deck and, for a new hole, frame the rough opening with header and trimmer rafters; IRC R802.9 requires them doubled once the header span exceeds 4 ft.
- Set the skylight. Seat the deck-mounted or curb-mounted unit and fasten it to the framing per the maker’s instructions.
- Flash it. Install the manufacturer flashing kit matched to the roof material, with a self-adhered ASTM D1970 membrane collar under it and the field underlayment and shingles lapped to shed water.
- Pair the controls. Sync the remote to the motor and confirm the rain sensor closes the sash on contact with water.
- Finish the interior. Insulate the shaft, hang and finish drywall on a new opening, and set any blinds.
Because a solar skylight has no roof wiring, the leak risk is the same as a manual skylight: it comes from the flashing, not the electronics. VELUX lists a 10-year installation warranty on its skylight systems, so ask the installer to confirm in writing whether your job qualifies under VELUX’s terms.
Frequently asked questions
Do solar skylights qualify for the federal tax credit in 2026?
No. The IRS says the Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025, under Public Law 119-21. VELUX had already stated in 2024 that it cannot certify that solar powered skylights qualify for 25D. A solar skylight installed in 2026 does not qualify.
How much does a solar skylight cost?
A VELUX VSS solar deck-mount unit listed at $1,743 to $2,472 in October 2026, and VCS curb-mount units at $2,113 to $2,243. VELUX quotes $2,900 to $5,150 for a replacement with installation and $3,900 to $7,150 for a new single skylight.
What is the difference between a solar and an electric skylight?
Both open with a motor and include a rain sensor. An electric skylight (VELUX VSE) draws power from household wiring and needs an electrician. A solar skylight (VELUX VSS) runs its motor from a built-in solar panel and battery, so it installs with no wire run to the roof. At October 2026 retail the two carry the same list price at each size.
Do solar skylights work on cloudy days or at night?
Yes. VELUX says the Solar Powered Fresh Air panel charges a small, concealed battery even on cloudy days, and the motor runs on that stored charge. The skylight opens and closes on demand after dark or during overcast weather. Charging slows when sunlight is weak, so an extended stretch of clouds can reduce how many cycles the battery supports before it recharges.
Can you install a solar skylight yourself?
A handy homeowner can install a solar skylight on a same-size replacement, since no electrical wiring is involved. The hard part is flashing: a solar skylight leaks from a bad flashing integration, not from the motor. Cutting a new opening adds structural framing and drywall work, and VELUX’s 10-year installation warranty has its own terms, so read them before deciding to self-install.
Are solar skylights worth it now that the tax credit is gone?
Solar skylights are worth it in 2026 mainly for hard-to-reach openings, storm-prone areas, and retrofits with no attic wiring, where automatic rain closing and no electrician justify the premium. At matched VELUX sizes the solar VSS costs $796 to $1,032 more than a manual VS, so for an easy-to-reach opening the manual unit delivers the same daylight and airflow for less.
Weighing a solar-powered unit against standard models? See our picks for the best skylights in 2026.