Are you considering solar in Pennsylvania? Solar energy is a great, sustainable alternative to traditional power grid use. Pennsylvania is currently ranked 24th in the country for solar installation and use. The ranking is moving forward, as it was 26th in 2022.
Solar is becoming more common and relevant across the state. In fact, the growth projection is that Pennsylvania will rank 13th in the nation in the next five years. This means if you haven’t hopped on the home solar panel train yet, you might want to consider doing so.
The state is continuing to invest in solar, totaling $2.6 billion. The good news is that solar prices have dropped 53% over the last ten years. It’s never been more affordable to install solar panels on your home with Bluebird Sky Solar in Pittsburgh. Continue reading to get all your questions answered about solar energy in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Incentives for Solar
Pennsylvania is the second-largest net supplier of total energy (especially natural gas) to other states. It’s important to start thinking about renewable energy alternatives.
Did you know you can be rewarded for installing solar panels on your home? State and federal governments offer incentive programs for choosing solar energy. There are three programs that you could qualify for:
- Pennsylvania net metering: Net metering allows you to sell solar electricity you don’t use back to the power grid at the price you would normally purchase energy for.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): You can sell the SRECs your panels generate. As of 2021, you could earn $24-$41 for the certificates
Federal Solar Tax Credit: With the Residential Clean Energy Credit program, you can reduce the cost of your solar energy by up to 30%
Solar Legislation in Pennsylvania
There are constant conversations around solar legislation to ensure fair and reasonable expectations for installers, homeowners, businesses, and other stakeholders. SEIA recently launched a committee in Pennsylvania to advance bills that create market opportunities for all solar markets in Pennsylvania and defend against anti-solar legislation. You can track pending legislation related to solar energy when you visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Is Solar Worth it in Pennsylvania?
Let’s start with the facts. Pennsylvania gets an average of 179 sunny days per year. While this is below the national average (205 days), the state still produces enough solar energy to power almost 97,000 homes. The solar installation rate is skyrocketing with more homeowners and businesses opting for solar energy.
We already mentioned the possible monetary incentives you could qualify for if you install solar panels on your property. Some homeowners completely eliminate their electricity bills through solar panels, so they are one of the best home improvements a homeowner can make. In Pennsylvania, it’s safe to say that the pros far outweigh the cons of installing solar panels.
Solar Panel Cost in Pennsylvania
We know this is what you really want to know, and the answer is — it depends. A home solar system varies in cost because of things like the household’s energy needs, the quality of the panels installed, roof space, and the weather.
There is clearly a benefit to installing solar panels in Pennsylvania. The number of installations on homes and businesses has increased monumentally in the last few years, and the cost to do so has gone down by over 50%. Now is the best time to act and consider installing solar on your home. Contact Bluebird Sky Solar for a free estimate today! We look forward to helping with your solar questions and needs in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas!
