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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners in Chester. A new solar energy system can help you add value to your property, decrease your carbon footprint, and provide a dependable source of power. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a trustworthy solar installer. Luckily, we've done the research and created a guide to the best and most dependable solar installation providers in Chester.
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Reliable customer support
Informative resources
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Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners cut utility bills while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current best installation 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.
Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and TrustPilot to see feedback from past customers about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. The quotes should list all costs and identify the solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the best value for your budget.
Quality solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee addresses any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees show that a company is confident in its work.
Going solar can help lower your electric bills over time. When considering the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the solar technology used. The average solar system in Chester has a capacity of 6.5 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $3,550 per kilowatt; the average Chester homeowners spends roughly $16,181 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for things like the panel type, size, and capacity of the planned system, and should include costs for labor, permit fees, and preliminary work.
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.
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
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
There are many benefits to home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, raise your property values, and qualify for tax benefits. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
Of course. The grid in Chester already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Chester amount to $1,066.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Chester, meaning your payback period could last 15.2 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can sell the solar energy you don't use to the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
While solar energy might not be the best performing choice for some in dark or wet areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could boost your property's solar viability enough to achieve a return on investment. A contractor could also recommend a different primary source of renewable energy like wind or geothermal to boost your generation.
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 consult with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.
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