Solar Panels in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranked 26th in the U.S. for solar energy in 2022, but it has invested an unexpectedly large amount of money into it. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the Keystone State has invested over $3.2 billion in solar energy up to the second quarter of 2023, with 1,195 megawatts of solar installed.
The Best Solar Companies in Pennsylvania
The Solar America Reviews Team has chosen the top providers in Pennsylvania from a list of the best solar firms in the country. They include the following:
Sunrun
Sunrun was established in 2007 and has an impressive 285,000 solar installations under its belt. They offer a range of high-quality solar panels accompanied by storage options, integrating solar and storage units into new home communities with finesse.
Their bumper-to-bumper warranty assures customers of free equipment replacement, system repairs, and a decade-long guarantee against roof penetration damages.
Services Offered
Site survey
Design review
Permitting
Installation
City inspection
Utility connection
Payment Options
Sunrun offers the following flexible finance solutions:
Solar lease
Solar loan
Full purchase
Trinity Solar
The solar sector has been a focus of Trinity Solar since 1994 and has done more than 85,000 installations already. They have the most experience out of all the companies on this list—they serve ten states, including Pennsylvania. They provide premium Q Cells solar panels and extra gear to customize your system, including solar storage choices from Generac and Tesla.
Solar equipment comes with manufacturer warranties (e.g., a 25-year warranty on solar panels). Trinity offers varying workmanship warranties if you lease or purchase your system.
Services Offered
Installation
Design and survey
Consultation
System monitoring (Trinity app)
Repair and maintenance services
Payment Options
Trinity Solar offers up to four different payment options:
Solar lease
Solar loan
Power purchase agreement (PPA)
Full purchase
Palmetto Solar
Palmetto Solar offers high-quality monocrystalline solar panels and smart home solar batteries. According to Palmetto, they require solar panels they install to meet their minimum manufacturer warranty standards.
Palmetto offers a variety of customer service alternatives, including phone, email, and online chat. The company also provides a unique protection plan, including support, regular inspections, thorough performance reports, and system monitoring.
Services Offered
Installation including consultation, survey and design, and permitting
Energy efficiency audits
Solar panel removal and reinstallation
System monitoring
Maintenance
Payment Options
Solar loan
Full purchase
Solar lease
PPA
Freedom Forever
Freedom Forever is a national solar installer that offers a variety of financing options, including zero-down solar financing and a 25-year production guarantee warranty on their solar panels. The company was founded on the principle of providing sustainable and affordable energy solutions.
Freedom Forever’s 25-year performance guarantee ensures that one’s solar panel system will “meet its promised production amount for 25 years.”
Services Provided
Solar panel installation
Backup battery installation
Payment Options
Solar lease
PPAs
Solar loans
Full purchase
Vision Solar
The solar energy systems offered by Vision Solar feature high-performance monocrystalline panels (polycrystalline silicon and thin film solar panels are also available).
Vision Solar offers a 25-year equipment warranty when you install solar panels with them, with solar panel manufacturers typically providing warranties against manufacturing flaws and problems. The business also offers no-cost maintenance and repair of a solar system under PPAs.
Services Provided
Consultation
Solar installation
Maintenance
Payment Options
Solar lease
PPA
Solar loan
Cash purchase
Momentum Solar
Customers can easily customize their systems with Momentum Solar’s assortment of solar panels, together with inverters and other solar components. The business collaborates with Enphase to provide solar battery storage.
Momentum offers a 25-year warranty on its solar system. This warranty provides thorough coverage for both products and labor.
Momentum Solar provides educational resources through its blog and an engaging mobile app to monitor system performance.
Services Provided
Solar panel installation
Solar battery installation
System monitoring
Maintenance options
Payment Options
Solar purchase
Solar lease
PPA
Solar loans
Cost of Solar Panels on Average in Pennsylvania
According to HomeAdvisor, the average price of Pennsylvania solar panels is $31,100, and a complete installation is estimated between $8,000 and $114,500 as of November 2022. The equipment alone will set you back between $7,200 and $23,800 for a 3 kW to 10 kW residential solar installation. Compare this to the cost of solar panels in PA as of September 2023, which ranges from $12,835 to $17,365 for a 5 kW system, as reported by EnergySage. The cost of this system in Pennsylvania typically averages at $15,100.
Although Pennsylvania solar power installations may cost a little less, keep in mind that the state’s location may make it less effective than southern states with less cloud coverage. Typically, the system will pay for itself over several years.
Tax Credit, Incentives, and Solar Rebates in Pennsylvania
Even though solar panels are pricey, there are federal, state, and local initiatives that can help you save money. Below are the leading Pennsylvania solar incentives that households can take advantage of.
Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Credit Program
The Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Credit Program offers credits for solar energy produced by your system that, in turn, can be sold to organizations wishing to invest in renewable energy. One AEC is created for every 1,000 kWhrs generated.
Federal Tax Credit
You may be eligible for a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of your solar installation. The solar tax credit is also known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). In 2033, this rate will drop to 26%
Net Metering
You can sell the extra energy your system produces to Pennsylvania utility providers through net metering programs in exchange for a credit toward future utility bills. The Pennsylvania Electric Company (PECO) provides such a program.
How to Choose the Right Solar Company
Here are some of the crucial factors to consider when choosing a solar panel company:
Cost
Even though some businesses provide affordable solar panels, it’s essential to assess the quality and other services provided or lack thereof. By having to pay for costly repairs or replacements more frequently, cutting corners on quality or customer service may be detrimental to your investment.
Warranty Length
You should consider long-term expenditures just as much as immediate ones. Choose a firm with a guarantee that covers more than just equipment if you want a system that lasts and has complete coverage in case of problems.
Financing Options
Limited funding choices for a firm aren’t necessarily a deal-breaker. Although solar leases and PPAs may enable you to save money upfront, they prevent you from benefiting from certain financial incentives.
Customer Reviews
You can guess the quality of customer service by checking reviews from past customers about their experiences with the provider. Additionally, read customer reviews to learn about the help offered by various companies.
Get Help from Professionals
Choosing a solar company can be an overwhelming task with so many installers out there. Take your time to research and compare different companies to find the best fit for your specific energy needs. You can rely on Solar America to connect you to top-rated solar installation professionals in Pennsylvania. Call us today at 1-855-999-6970 or visit our website to get started on your solar journey.
