Pennsylvania solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels

Last updated 12.02.21

Pennsylvania State 53 solar panels available

  • $2.03 / W Average gross price of a solar power system as of March 2023
  • 8 years Average system payback period
  • $49 150 Average savings from going solar in Pennsylvania
  • 7 ¢ / kWh Levelized cost of solar energy
  • 5.62 kW Recommended system size

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What our happy customers say

A1 SolarStore is a great place to purchase solar panels. When I was first loaded into the page I had seen a plethora of options to choose from. I only needed one type but it was not a hard search to find what i needed. definitely a great store.
Jtookooo
Via Google
Mar 18, 2023
There’s a lot of stores for any particular product and it’s no different for solar panels. A1solar has an easy to navigate website, an open line to communicate if a customer has any questions and most importantly they deliver a solid product. If you’re in the market for solar panels please check them out because they have a wide variety to choose from.
Nic H
Via Google
Mar 10, 2023
I was looking for a good website to purchase solar panels and I came across the A1 solar webpage. The website is straight to the point and well-designed. I am pleased to say, that I will continue to go through with this company.
stmark
Via Google
Feb 27, 2023
I like this company. Good service 👍
Daiga Ellaby
Via Google
Sep 19, 2022
I was choosing between a1solar and another store, the prices finally convinced me,
and I contacted A1. Everything was processed, packed and delivered to Fresno, CA
in under a week. We kept in contact during the installation and I got a few additional
parts from them. A1SolarStore deserves a solid five stars!
Michael Grubb
Via Google
Sep 7, 2022
I ordered some solar panels. The top 4 ones were damaged during delivery (A1 had emailed me in advance what to check for before I took delivery which I followed even though the truck driver was pushing not to inspect them as thouroughly) and A1 replaced them in a timely manner and kept me informed. The price on the panels were some of the best on the internet (delivered). I would buy from them again.
Robert Broughton
Via Google
Nov 27, 2021

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Solar laws, incentives and rebates in Pennsylvania you need to know

Save 30% of your PV system cost with Federal Solar Tax Credit

The US government wants more people to go solar: it’s a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.

Finance your solar project with the help of loan programs in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania you can get additional financing for your solar project with different programs. They are designed primarily to help businesses switch to renewable energy.

One of the examples is the Sustainable Energy Fund. Solar loans are issued for businesses, nonprofits and municipalities. The size of a loan may vary from $5,000 to $1,000,000: the length of a loan and interest rates depend on the project and its scale. You can calculate the loan and interest on the SEF website.

Get a $1,000 rebate for installing solar in Philadelphia

Since 2019 Philadelphia is willing to pay rebates for those who installed solar panels. Residential solar owners get $0.10 per watt and commercial systems are eligible for a $0.20 per watt rebate. Overall, incentive payments average $1,000 per home, the maximum size of incentive is capped at $100,000. Currently, the program is closed due to COVID-19 budget cuts, but you can still apply and the officials will put you on the waiting list.

Join Net Metering program to cover your electric bills

Net Metering is the main way in which a solar system pays for itself in the US. The idea is always the same: you sell your excess solar energy into the commercial grid, gain credits and use them to cover your next electric bill.

Electricity that you send to the grid is credited to your next bill at the full retail kWh rate, which includes generation, transmission, and distribution charges. All the remaining NEG are compensated at the utility's "price-to-compare" at the end of the year. The customer gets to keep the RECs that his system produces. Contact your utility for exact rates and net metering conditions. 

Save additional $200-400 a year trading SRECs

For generating clean electricity any person can get Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). Unlike with Net Metering, you don’t need to sell any electricity to get credits – the certificates are simply given to you. One SREC is granted for 1 MW of power. A 5kW system can generate over 7 MW over the year, so in theory it’s possible to get 5-7 SRECs in 12 months if you would send all your energy into the grid. 

In Pennsylvania SRECs or alternative energy credits (AECs) can be traded using the PJM-EIS Generation Attributes Tracking System (GATS) platform. The price of a SREC in Pennsylvania floats around $20—$60. It may increase in the future so it makes sense to store credits for later. The lifetime of an AEC is 3 years. To participate, register your system at PJM EIS platform.

Get a permit and install your solar panels in Pennsylvania with no worries

Generally, it is legal to install solar panels on your house in Pennsylvania after you get a permit from your local authorities. Requirements for installation may vary from city to city. For example, in Philadelphia you need to get an electrical and building permit, and for some systems it is combined in one.

Be aware that city or county officials can impose additional fees on you for inspections and documents – in Philadelphia the fee for a permit is $25 per $1,000 labor and also equipment in some cases. Usually your installer knows all the details about permits in your area and handles most of the process. 

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