In 2010, Pennsylvania ranked among the top five states in the nation for solar development. However, since then, it has fallen to 48th in overall renewable energy growth across the 50 states.
Thankfully, thousands of homeowners across the state are helping to turn this trend around. By choosing to install solar on their homes, they’re generating clean, renewable power on-site while taking control of rising energy costs. As power prices continue to climb every year, these forward-thinking homeowners are taking matters into their own hands.
For Pennsylvania homeowners, the economics have never been more favorable! Here are a few reasons why:
- Upcoming legislation could make state-level solar incentives more valuable if passed.
- The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides an excellent 30% federal tax credit for solar energy systems, with an uncertain future under the new administration.
- Energy prices in Pennsylvania are projected to increase by at least 25% over the next two years.
At Exact Solar, we’ve installed over 2,500 residential solar systems locally in the last 20 years. Our team knows firsthand how residential solar systems can significantly reduce electricity bills, generate income, and increase long-term savings for homeowners — and we’re here to help you do the same.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything Pennsylvania homeowners need to know about installing solar, from the basics to the incentives and financial considerations that make it more affordable than ever.
The Economics of Solar in Pennsylvania
Over the last decade, the cost of installing a home solar system in Pennsylvania has dropped by 37%. This massive price reduction has made solar energy more accessible than ever. However, despite this significant cost savings, Pennsylvania still lags behind many other states in solar adoption. Why is that?
One reason is that many homeowners simply aren’t aware of how beneficial going solar can be—both financially and environmentally. But for those who have made the switch, the results speak for themselves.
Now, with energy prices continuing to rise and solar becoming more affordable, there’s never been a better time for Pennsylvania homeowners to embrace solar energy. The financial benefits are clear: by installing solar, homeowners can reduce their monthly energy bills, protect themselves from future rate hikes, and enjoy substantial savings for many years. In fact, the savings on utility bills alone can provide an exceptional return on investment.
At Exact Solar, we’ve seen first-hand how homeowners are benefiting from solar energy. Homeowners who invest in solar systems can save anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000 over the life of their system. On average, the solar systems we install pay for themselves in 5 to 8 years. After that, homeowners enjoy 20+ years of discounted, or even free, electricity.
The combination of lower installation costs, long-term savings, and federal and state incentives makes this the ideal time to go solar. With the 30% federal tax credit available through the Inflation Reduction Act, along with Pennsylvania’s Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program, the financial incentives are better than ever.
Take it from Steve Cickay, an Exact Solar customer who installed his system five years ago:
“Five years later, it looks like I made the right decision. First of all, I have two beautiful grandchildren, and I am doing my small part to give them a greener world. But secondly, I haven’t had to pay PECO a nickel. In fact, I get refund checks from PECO every year because my solar panels produce more energy than I use.”
— Steve Cickay, Exact Solar customer in Bucks County
If you’re curious about just how much homeowners can save, we recently published a five-year case study that outlines exactly how much Steve Cickay saved after switching to solar. It’s a great example of how solar systems can deliver both financial and environmental benefits.
Deciding if Solar is Right for Your Home
When considering solar power, not every home is a perfect candidate. The feasibility of installing solar depends on several factors, including the condition of your home’s electrical infrastructure, how much sunlight your roof receives, or even the specific rules of your local homeowners’ association (HOA).
If you’re in the beginning stages of your research and just starting to gather information, a great first step is to use PVWatts, a free tool developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. By entering details about your home’s location and roof, PVWatts can give you a rough estimate of the solar system size you may need based on local weather patterns and energy consumption.
However, because solar systems are highly customized to fit the unique needs of each home, it’s impossible to get a completely accurate picture without a consultation with a local expert. Every home is different, and only an experienced, professional installer can assess your roof’s condition, evaluate shading factors, and consider other specifics to determine the ideal system for you.
To get the most accurate information about how solar can work for your home, you can schedule a free consultation with our team at Exact Solar. We are a locally owned company in Bucks County, helping our fellow Pennsylvanians go solar since 2005. We’ll help you understand your options and guide you through the process, making it simple and straightforward.
“I highly recommend this company. They did a 26 solar panel rooftop install and 3 Enphase 5P battery installation for me and the installation was just as expected. Work was super clean and they did the necessary testing and commissioning, and did the coordination with MET-ED to get the PTO. We did the install in March and even though the system was installed in the middle of a billing month, my bill for this month was around $10 (which was mainly utility fees) where it normally would have been $120.“
— Ray Thierren, Exact Solar customer in Northampton County
Pennsylvania Residents That Have Gone Solar
Each year, Exact Solar sponsors and participates in an annual event known as the ASES National Solar Tour. The ASES National Solar Tour is a free, annual event where homeowners and businesses share their genuine experiences with solar energy. Below, you will find a few of our very own customers who participated in the tour to share their real experiences going solar. See our complete collection of solar tours by clicking here.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Going Solar in Pennsylvania
Step 1: Choose a Local Trusted Installer
Choosing the right solar installer is the most critical step of your solar journey. Look for a reputable, experienced company with proper licensing and certifications in your area. Take time to read reviews, request quotes, and ensure the installer has a solid track record. A well-established company that knows your area well can help save you time and money in the long run.
Going with a reputable, locally owned solar installer can save you time, money, and potential headaches down the road. Local installers, like Exact Solar, have years of experience working with your specific utility company and understanding the permitting processes in your area. They’ve likely worked on homes just like yours, so they know the ins and outs of local regulations and requirements.
In contrast, out-of-state or national installers likely do not have the same familiarity with these processes. This can lead to delays, miscommunication, and unexpected challenges. Many of these companies rely heavily on subcontractors for installations, which can result in a less than favorable experience. You may not know who will be coming to your home or how much attention to detail they’ll provide. Subcontracted teams may not be as invested in your project’s success, and there can be inconsistencies in the quality of service.
By going with a local installer, you’re ensuring that the people working on your home are part of the community and have a vested interest in providing the highest quality service. Local installers typically handle every step of the process themselves, from design to installation, without outsourcing to third parties. This means more control over the project and a more seamless experience for you.
Choosing a local company like Exact Solar also means you have a direct line to the team that installed your system for any future needs or questions. At Exact Solar, we’ve proudly served Pennsylvania since 2005. We understand the local utility companies, permitting processes, and what it takes to install solar systems successfully. We’re here for the long haul, offering reliable customer service and support for the lifetime of your system. You’ll work with the same local team from start to finish.
Beware of companies that:
- Require you to commit to purchasing a system before they’ll consult with you or inspect your home. This is a red flag and suggests they might be prioritizing sales over genuine customer service. A free consultation is the industry standard, and any reputable installer will gladly provide one.
- Pressure you to buy an expensive system on the spot. High-pressure sales tactics are often a sign that the company is more interested in making a quick sale than in understanding your individual needs and recommending the best solution for you.
Instead, look for installers who:
- Take the time to understand your energy needs and budget.
- Provide a detailed proposal outlining the specific system they recommend for your home, including the cost, estimated energy production, and payback period.
- Are happy to answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have.
- Offer excellent customer service before, during, and after installation.
Step 2: Consulting With Your Installer
Once you’ve found the right installer, it’s time to schedule your consultation. During a typical consultation with Exact Solar, our highly-experienced sales engineers will assess your energy usage and goals for solar energy. They’ll also evaluate the condition of your roof, its orientation, shading, and suitability for solar panels. If needed, they’ll connect you to our financing partner to explore your options.
At Exact Solar, we use state-of-the-art technology to ensure that we provide the most accurate proposal possible. After you receive your initial consultation, we’ll schedule a site visit. During our site visits, we use the Autel Robotics Drone, which is recommended for solar site surveying, along with specialized software provided by Scanifly. Our team will fly a drone over your property to capture video footage, then cross-reference that footage with the Scanifly software to determine the ideal panel placement and estimate energy output. Your sales engineer will provide you with a comprehensive proposal based on this information.
Step 3: Permits and Interconnection Applications
Once you’ve decided to move forward with your proposal, your installer will handle all the necessary permits and interconnection applications with your local municipality and utility company. The permitting process typically takes 6 to 10 weeks, depending on your location and time of year.
With over 20 years of experience, Exact Solar has built strong relationships with local utilities like PECO, JCP&L, PSE&G, and ACE. Our local knowledge helps ensure the permitting process runs smoothly and efficiently, so you don’t have to worry about unnecessary delays.
Step 4: Installation
Once the permits are in place, our team will schedule your installation. At Exact Solar, we send only our full-time, locally-based employees to handle installations—not subcontractors. You can rest assured that the team installing your system is trained, experienced, and committed to providing excellent service.
There are only two days during the installation process that we’ll need you to be present:
- The day your system is installed.
- The day your utility company performs its final inspection and approval.
Here’s what one of our customers had to say about their installation experience:
“When it came time to install, Nick and his team were very courteous and professional. The team was efficient and careful with everything they did. I enjoyed the educational aspect during the installation process. Everyone on the crew was well-informed and didn’t hesitate to answer any technical questions I had.”
— Vu Le, Exact Solar customer in Montgomery County
From initial consultation to installation, the entire process typically takes around 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the complexity of your project.
How Much Does a Solar System Cost in Pennsylvania?
The cost of a solar system in Pennsylvania varies based on factors such as the system’s size and components. On average, Pennsylvania homeowners typically invest between $20,000 and $40,000 for a residential solar system. However, several incentives and rebates are available to help make this investment more affordable.
There are several financial incentives that can significantly reduce the cost of installing solar in Pennsylvania:
- Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, homeowners can claim a 30% federal tax credit on the total cost of their solar system through 2032. This credit applies to homeowners who purchase or finance their systems outright, but not to those who lease their system. Eligibility for the ITC is based on your financial situation. If your tax obligation is less than the credit, you may carry over the unused portion of the credit to future years. We recommend consulting with a tax professional for more information.
- Net Metering: Net metering allows homeowners to “bank” the excess solar energy their systems produce during sunny periods. On long summer days, your system may produce more electricity than you use, and your utility company will buy this excess energy. In the winter or at night, when your system isn’t producing enough power, the utility company will provide you with the energy you need. Thanks to net metering, homeowners who install systems to fully offset their energy usage often only pay a minimal service fee to their utility company each month, with the rest of their energy costs eliminated.
- Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs): SRECs are earned for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity your solar system generates. These credits are valid for three years and can be sold or traded. The value of SRECs fluctuates depending on market conditions, but homeowners who produce more energy than they use can earn several hundred dollars per year from selling their credits.
Maintaining Your Solar System
Solar panels are designed to last at least 25 to 30 years, and residential solar systems are generally very low-maintenance. However, periodic cleaning and inspections are important to ensure your system continues to operate at peak efficiency.
While rain typically helps keep the panels clean, it’s essential to prevent debris from accumulating under the panels. Annually clearing any debris from around and beneath your system, ideally when cleaning your gutters, can help avoid blockages and ensure optimal performance.
Regular checks on the overall condition of the system and its components are also recommended to catch any potential issues early and extend the lifespan of your investment. Exact Solar has a full-time, in-house service department. If you happen to notice any issues with your system while inspecting, reach out to us and our service team will be happy to help – even if we didn’t originally install your system!
Our Exact Solar Guarantee
At Exact Solar, we’re here for you for the long haul. We’re not just installing solar; we’re building relationships that last for the lifetime of your system. That’s why we offer a 10-year workmanship guarantee on all the components we install, so you can feel confident that we’ve got you covered.
Our solar panels and microinverters are backed by a 25-year warranty from the manufacturer, and we extend the central power inverter warranty to 25 years as well. We also guarantee 80-84% of the original production from our panels over a 25-year period, giving you peace of mind that your investment is built to last.
We take great pride in offering genuine, reliable customer service. If you ever run into any issues, we’ll be right there with you to resolve them. With thousands of solar systems installed across Pennsylvania, many on homes just like yours, you can count on us to handle things quickly and professionally.
Every system we install comes with an easy-to-use app that lets you track your solar system’s performance. If a panel isn’t performing as expected, just reach out to us, and we’ll take care of it for you.
As a homeowner, your role is simple. Just check the online monitoring system or app from time to time to watch for any alerts. If an issue arises, you’ll get a notification through the app or by email. Just let us know, and we’ll investigate right away—most of the time, we can handle everything remotely. We’re here to make sure your system continues running smoothly, year after year.
Ready to Explore Your Solar Options?
If solar energy has been on your mind, now could be the perfect time to explore your options. Incentives are at their highest ever, payback periods are shorter, and with rising electricity costs, solar is more accessible and cost-effective than ever before.
At Exact Solar, we’re here to help you decide if solar is right for your home or business. Our team has over 20 years of experience and focuses on an educational and low-pressure approach. While solar may not be the right fit for everybody, we’d love to help you explore the option and see if it makes sense for your home or business. You will never get any pressure tactics from our team, just honest information and a thorough evaluation of your home’s solar potential.