GOING SOLAR IN THE STATE OF VALUES
Why go solar in Pennsylvania
Produce your own clean energy, all while saving money with net metering, incentives, and batteries! Pennsylvania has a goal for solar power to make up 10% of total power generation, so you can be certain there is a bright future for solar energy in the state.
Save on energy
Pennsylvania is improving lucrative benefits and incentive programs. Net metering can help you save on your monthly bill. By generating your own energy throughout the day, you can avoid paying for electricity from the grid. If you decide to install batteries, you can save excess energy for night use. That means you might not need energy from your utility at night either.
Be prepared for outages
Power outages are inconvenient in the winter months. Unforeseen weather can increase power demand and cause the grid to fail. Batteries can help you run off your own power during outages. Depending what batteries you have and how much excess energy your system produced, you may have enough power for the whole night, or more. Talk to your dealer about what batteries are right for you and your lifestyle.
Preserve Pennsylvania’s outdoors
Pennsylvania is home to beautiful forests filled with some of the tallest trees in the northeastern U.S. Each Pennsylvania home that shifts to solar energy for electricity is supporting the removal of tons of CO2. Beyond the cost savings and cash rebates, helping sustain the local environment is a powerful incentive for homeowners to go solar.
Have predictable payments
Your bill may vary according to what time you are using the most electricity. This is due to peak pricing. Rather than trying to do the math and plan your energy usage, try going solar and installing batteries. By doing so, you can have a better idea as to what your energy bill will be each month. If you are like most solar homeowners, you may only have a minimum bill.
Invest in your home**
Home equity is a big reason why some homeowners decide to go solar. When you go solar, you are putting money back into your home, not into your utility provider. The average PA home is worth approximately $215,939, that’s a 9.6% annual growth from the previous year. By investing in your home, you can keep up with rising values. A solar system may also make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
Solar incentives in Pennsylvania**
Pennsylvania offers two main state-level incentives to go solar. First, net metering allows solar-equipped homes to sell excess electricity they generate back to the power grid, as well as bank excess power for future use. Net metering is available for all eligible customers of investor-owner utilities. Pennsylvania is also one of the states that offers Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). SRECs are credits that solar homeowners can sell to local utilities, without a fixed ceiling. Both of these incentives make going solar in Pennsylvania even more financially appealing.
Pennsylvania homeowners are also eligible for the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC).*** The ITC allows you to deduct 26 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes.
Solar panels perform in all kinds of weather
Going solar is a big decision, and although there are many factors you should consider, local weather shouldn’t be a deterrent. Solar panels are designed to work in almost any type of weather… even snow and clouds!
Sunny
There are sunny days ahead for solar. The more sun you have access to, the longer your panels work during the day. Your panels work best at converting energy when sun rays shine directly at them. The more energy you produce, the more excess you may be able to send back to the grid. Take advantage of the excess through net metering and other incentive programs.
Rainy
As the rain pours down, your panels will continue to be hard at work. Solar panels will work with reflected or partially blocked sun rays to keep your home powered. Your production is linked to the amount of clouds. Rain will have some effect on your production, but the rays will still penetrate through the rain. It may actually help keep your panels working efficiently as they wash away any dust or dirt.
Cloudy
It is a misconception that panels don’t work on cloudy days. The best way to know how much the clouds affect your system’s performance is to monitor your system on sunny days and compare. Your system may actually be more efficient without the excess heat. This is because solar systems prefer the cold! The sun’s rays are still able to penetrate through cloudy skies and keep your system running.
Snowy
Amazingly enough, even when covered in snow a solar system can still produce power! Scattered light filters through snow and reaches solar panels even when the snow cover is fairly heavy. Your solar panels may actual be more efficient in light snow. Cold weather helps them perform better, and usually snow slides right off. Power production may be reduced with heavier snowfall, but your system can still produce.
Windy
Solar panels are highly reliable and sturdy, they hardly notice your average winds. In most cases, damage from wind will be due to weakened roofs, not solar panels. This is why we assess your roof condition and reccomend any repairs prior to installing your system. In the event that higher winds cause an outage in the grid, you will still have power if you have batteries with your system.
Solar power freedom starts here. Get 25 years of clean, reliable solar power with Freedom Forever’s Production Guarantee! Your energy freedom starts here. Terms and conditions apply.
*Customers are encouraged to check with their local utility providers for the most up to date and accurate information regarding solar incentives and programs available.
**This information is current as of May 5, 2021 and figures are only approximations. We advise you to consult with the appropriate professionals (including, but not limited to, your solicitor or attorney, accountant, CPA, CGA, or any other financial or legal advisor) for the implications of any information contained in our website and in any link you access through our website.
***You should contact a qualified tax expert and consult with them. Neither Freedom Forever’s family of independent authorized dealers nor Freedom Forever itself can give you tax advice. A qualified tax professional will understand your situation and be able to give you the most relevant advice.
