First thing I would say, is talk to a licensed CPA about your specific circumstances.
What most CPAs advise is that you can only claim the tax credit on roofs that have panels. Some CPAs interpret it more narrowly where the tax credit should be claimed based on the square footage covered by panels as a percentage of total roof square footage.
The home has to be a residence to claim it on the 5695 and it has to be your residence although it does not have to be your primary residence. You would not use the 5695 if the house in question was strictly an income property that you did not occupy at all.
Half way down on the right hand side is the portion of the tax credit instructions applicable to PV solar:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i5695.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i5695.pdf</a>
you can also go to the following and find help from the IRS near you
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="
https://apps.irs.gov/app/officeLocator/index.jsp">https://apps.irs.gov/app/officeLocator/index.jsp</...>
