Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Perkiomen homeowners. A rooftop solar array 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 lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a trustworthy solar installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and compiled a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation providers in Perkiomen.
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
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 save money on electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when deciding if a solar installer is reliable.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not issue state-level contracting licenses, so each city or county can set its own requirements and regulations.
Check consumer review platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see feedback from past customers about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with installers that have hardly any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. The quotes should list all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship guarantee covers any installation defects (such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar energy can help reduce your energy expenses over time. Be sure to weigh these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
Solar panel costs vary based on system capacity and the technology being used. The average solar system in Perkiomen has a capacity of 6.6 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $3,550 per kilowatt; the average Perkiomen homeowners spends about $16,365 on a new solar system 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 company will account for factors such as the size, capacity, and panel type of the planned system, and should include costs for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees.
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.
Incentive 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
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar water heating system.
There are a number of benefits to home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, reduce emissions, and raise your property values. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on where you live and what type of panels you're installing. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Perkiomen, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Perkiomen, meaning your payback period could last 15.6 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to receive compensation for the amount of energy they put back into the grid. It's available in most states and is a great way to reduce energy costs.
Although solar energy is an ideal option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, you could consider other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still lower your emissions and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
Yes, solar panels can still supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system can keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
