Could we get an authoritative follow-up to this question? The instructions for Form 5695 do not say that the credit is only available to OWNERS of a home. The only requirement is that it be the taxpayers residence. Here's a quote:
Who Can Take the Credit
You may be able to take the credit if you made energy saving
improvements to your home located in the United States in
2019.
Home. A home is where you lived in 2019 and can include a
house, houseboat, mobile home, cooperative apartment,
condominium, and a manufactured home that conforms to
Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety
Standards.
You must reduce the basis of your home by the amount of
any credit allowed.
Main home. Your main home is generally the home where
you live most of the time
