why was my solar credit put into "Non-Refundable Credits"?

[derkylynn]

why was a portion of my solar energy credit non-refundable?

[MindyB]

The solar credit is a non-refundable credit.  This means, that you are not eligible for a refund above your tax liability.  Per the IRS: "A taxpayer claiming a nonrefundable credit can only use it to decrease or eliminate tax liability. A taxpayer will not receive a tax refund for any amount that exceeds the taxpayer’s tax liability for the year."