Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy comes with multiple perks. Let's look at a few of them.
- Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, decreasing your regular electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant number of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
- Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is one of the universe's most abundant clean energy sources, meaning you can lower or beat your home's dependence on fossil fuels.
- Better energy independence: Adding a battery storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during grid outages and storms.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Upper Darby Homeowners?
Pennsylvania's public agencies and power companies offer a range of solar incentives to help lower your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of available solar programs where you live.
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: 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 Upper Darby
The more comprehensive your provider search is, the better your solar panels will ultimately function. Consider each of these criteria in your business search.
Licensing and Training
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not issue state-level contracting licenses, so each city or county can set its own requirements and terms. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most respected are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, backed 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 Upper Darby
Your solar panels' style will affect how much power you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.
You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can maximize your solar system's performance. Not every solar company provides these additional features, so look for a company that installs them if it's important for you.
You can plan to spend about $17,750 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Upper Darby. Use the table in this section to get an idea of what amount Upper Darby solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,257 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $980 |
| Thin-Film | $573 |
| Solar Battery | $804 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $3,016 |
Financing Solar Energy in Upper Darby
Solar companies use multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs), cash payments and solar leases. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most economical choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a home or auto loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for money-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put 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 based only on the energy you use, like an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and cannot use solar incentives. Ask each company you're vetting about the payment options it offers. A staff member can help you determine the best option for your pocketbook.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Upper Darby.
The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal solar tax credit on the full cost of the solar system, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own financing programs, rebates, and incentives 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 Upper Darby
How much energy and money could I save per year by switching to solar?
How popular is solar energy in Upper Darby?
Will solar energy systems boost my Upper Darby home value?
How do I care for my new solar system?
What size should my new Upper Darby solar system be?
What is the average payback period for Upper Darby solar panels?
How does "net metering" work, and do I need to participate?
Some states or power companies oblige you to join net metering when purchasing your solar system, while others give you a choice. Either way, once you sign up, you'll earn a check or bill credit for your excess generation at a wholesale or retail rate.
Should I get quotes from multiple Upper Darby solar companies?
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