Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy has several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home functioning through blackouts and emergencies. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
- Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is a highly abundant clean energy source, meaning you can lower or beat your home's dependence on fossil fuels.
- Lowered energy bills: With solar panels, you produce power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant number of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Lower Paxton Homeowners?
Governments and utilities often incentivize homeowners for going solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits or other programs you could qualify for.
Incentive Type: Loan Program
Website: newpa.comIncentive Amount:
Residential loans/loan guarantees: $100,000
Commercial loans/loan guarantees: $2 million
Grants: Lesser of 10% of project costs or $500,000
Incentive Type: Loan Program
Website: newpa.comIncentive Amount:
Manufacturer loans: $40,000 per job created within 3 years
Manufacturer grants: $5,000 per job created within 3 years
Loans for geothermal systems: $3 per square foot of space served up to $5 million; also limited to 50% of eligible costs for residential systems.
Loans for wind energy production projects: $5 million
Grants for wind energy production projects: $1 million
Grants for feasibility studies: 50% of cost up to $175,000
Loan guarantee grants: Up to 75% of deficient funds up to $5 million
Incentive Type: Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Website: pennaeps.comIncentive Amount:
Varies based on market conditions; during 2015 the market price for PA-sourced SRECs has ranged from approximately $32 - $55/MWh ($0.032 - $0.055/kWh) although individual trades have taken place at substantially lower and higher prices.
Incentive Type: Grant Program
Website: newpa.comIncentive Amount:
Vary by project, but program generally requires matching funds at least equivalent to DCED funding
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: energysavepa-home.comIncentive Amount:
$500
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: firstenergycorp.comIncentive Amount:
Appliances
Refrigerator: $75
Clothes Washer: $25- $50
Clothes Dryer: $50
Freezers: $25
Dehumidifiers: $25
Fridge/Freezer Recycling: $50
HVAC
HVAC tune up: $50
Furnace Fan Motor: $150
Ductless Minisplit AC : $200
Central AC: $100 - $200
Air Source Heat pump: $250 - $500
Geothermal Heat Pump: $600
Packaged Terminal AC: $75
Packaged Terminal Heat Pump: $150
Programmable Thermostat: $25
Others
Solar Water Heat: $500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Home Energy Audit: $250
Lighting: Available as in-store discount in participating stores
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit
Website: ecowatch.comIncentive Amount:
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.
How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Lower Paxton
Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and valuable solar system. Make your choice based on the following crucial aspects.
Licensing and Training
There are no state-level contracting licenses issued in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so each city or county can set its own requirements and regulations. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most recognized are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, awarded by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.
Cost of Solar Panels in Lower Paxton
Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels provide a lower price point but produce less power. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.
You can also add electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can maximize your solar system's performance. Not every solar company provides these add-ons, so look for a company that sells them if it's essential for you.
Generally speaking, it costs about $17,750 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Lower Paxton. This table shows more specific costs for different solar panel types and system components in your area.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,136 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $886 |
| Thin-Film | $518 |
| Solar Battery | $727 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,727 |
Financing Solar Energy in Lower Paxton
Choosing the best financing plan will affect your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include power purchase agreements, leases, loans, and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they save you from paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Much like a home or auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, like an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the panels and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Ask each installer you're considering about the payment options it offers. A representative can help you determine the best option for your financial situation.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Lower Paxton.
The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal solar tax credit on your new solar panels, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own rebates, incentives, and financing programs that could save you more money.
| Solar System Capacity | Estimated Payback period |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 2.5 years |
| 2 kW | 5.0 years |
| 5 kW | 12.5 years |
| 10 kW | 25.0 years |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Lower Paxton
How much money could I save by going solar in Lower Paxton?
Is solar energy easily accessible in Lower Paxton?
Should I expect a property value increase after installing solar panels?
What if I live in a dark or heavily-wooded
What can I do to assess my home's solar potential?
How do I care for my new solar system?
How can I maximize my solar panels' performance?
- optimize the panels' position with your solar installer
- regularly clean your solar panels
- upgrade to a more efficient inverter trim or cut down trees in the way of your panels
- use energy-efficient appliances
What is "net metering," and how does it work?
Some states or energy providers require you to enroll in net metering when installing your solar system, while others give you a choice. Either way, once you sign up, you'll earn a bill credit or check for your excess generation at a retail or wholesale rate.
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