PENNSYLVANIA
Solar in Pennsylvania
While few would associate Oregon with solar power, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) currently ranks the state as 19th in solar power production across the country.* The progressively green state enjoys roughly 175 sunny days per year,* powering the 24,418 solar systems currently installed on homes, businesses, and solar farms.*
Solar potential in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a great potential for solar energy. The state receives an average of 4.6 hours of sunlight per day, which is above the national average of 3.8 hours of sunlight per day. This means that Pennsylvania has a good potential for solar energy generation.
Pennsylvania currently has the capacity to produce 786.7 MW of solar energy through existing systems, which is enough to power 96,859 homes across the state.* If the state continues with its current solar installation rate, it could begin producing 1,306 MW of solar energy annually within the next five years.
Cost of solar in Pennsylvania?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:
Household’s energy needs
Quality of the solar panels
Roof space
Weather
To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.
In Pennsylvania, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $11,500 to $20,100, or in other words from $2.30 to $4.02 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
Utilizing Pennsylvania’s solar incentives to your advantage can also reduce your costs of going solar.
The federal investment tax credit program allows homeowners nationwide to receive a 26% income tax credit after installing solar panels on their homes.*
Pennsylvania homeowners can also make money from their solar energy production system. The Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) program in Pennsylvania allows state residents to receive compensation for every kWh their solar systems generate.*
Additionally, Pennsylvania participates in net metering, which allows homeowners to sell their excess solar power to their utility companies at the same prices they would buy it. This program also reduces the overall costs of switching to and generating solar energy.*
Advantages?
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy. They do not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels can also help to make Pennsylvania a more sustainable state.
State incentives: Pennsylvania offers a number of incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, and grants.
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
Pennsylvania state policies?
Net metering: Pennsylvania has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to sell excess solar power back to the grid at the retail rate. This means that for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that you generate and send back to the grid, you will receive a credit on your electricity bill.
Property tax exemption: Pennsylvania exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the increased value of their home that is due to solar panels. This means that if you install solar panels and your home value increases by $10,000, you will not have to pay property taxes on that $10,000.
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): Pennsylvania offers Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) to homeowners who generate solar power. SRECs are tradable certificates that represent 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar generation. Utilities are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators in order to meet their renewable energy goals. The price of SRECs varies depending on the market, but they can provide an additional source of income for homeowners who generate solar power.
Solar Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS): Pennsylvania has a solar RPS that requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from solar power. The RPS is currently set at 4%, and it is scheduled to increase to 8% by 2030. This policy is expected to help drive demand for solar panels in Pennsylvania.
Community solar: Pennsylvania has a number of community solar programs that allow homeowners to participate in solar energy without having to install solar panels on their own homes. Community solar projects are typically located in central locations, such as at schools or community centers. Homeowners who participate in community solar programs receive credits on their electricity bills based on the amount of solar power generated by the project.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP): The DEP provides a number of resources and support for solar energy in Pennsylvania. These resources include information on solar incentives, rebates, and financing options. The DEP also provides technical assistance to solar installers and homeowners.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in Pennsylvania? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Pennsylvania, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!