Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated May 2024
Every year, more Berwick homeowners adopt rooftop solar panels to provide a dependable source of power and add value to their property. Switching to solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. Luckily, we've done the research and created a guide to the best and most dependable solar installation providers in Berwick.
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Family-operated business
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Going solar can be a great way to lower electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating if a solar installer is trustworthy.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. There are no state-level contracting licenses issued in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so each city or county can set its own requirements and terms.
Look at review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and TrustPilot to find out what previous customers have to say about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s dependability and customer service. Be cautious of companies with no reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Contact 3–5 solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and specify the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the option that best fits your budget.
High-quality solar installations should include robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's confidence in its installations.
Going solar can help reduce your energy expenses. Be sure to weigh these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
The average Berwick homeowner will spend around $17,211 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Berwick cost roughly $3,550 per kilowatt, with an average size of 6.9 kilowatts. A personalized estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees, and will account for your system's size, capacity, and panel type. Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels in order to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive 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 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.
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar water heating system.
With home solar PV, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, and gain additional energy independence.
It depends on where you live and the kind of panels you plan to use. Berwick can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the springtime to maximize your generation for the year.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In areas like Berwick with moderate sunlight, the period could last 20.3 years per 5 kW of power, but may be shorter if you have low electricity costs or a smaller energy capacity.
Of course. Solar panels are independent of the Berwick grid and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep in mind, however, that a solar system won't take you through a nighttime outage if you don't have a storage system. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
Regarding taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. For insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should talk with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.
Solar panels are gaining in popularity for their high efficiency and low maintenance costs. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
