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 is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for West Chester residents. Going solar helps cut your utility bills and shrink your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a qualified installation company first. Luckily, we've done the research and created a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation providers in West Chester.
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could reduce your electricity payments while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when researching local solar installers are as follows.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. 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 terms.
Check review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with companies that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Contact 3–5 solar companies to receive free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly outline all costs and list the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the best value based on your budget.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship guarantee covers any installation defects (such as poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Solar panels can help lower your electricity costs over time. When evaluating solar panel's cost and value, be sure to weigh these considerations.
The cost of home solar panels in West Chester varies depending on several factors, including your system's expected capacity and the type of panels you'll use. Generally speaking, a complete solar energy system will cost $3,550 per kilowatt, not including permit fees, labor, or preliminary work. Most solar systems in West Chester are 6.5 kilowatts, and the typical West Chester homeowners spends $16,246 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels and 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 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, save money, and reduce emissions. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you further energy independence 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 West Chester, 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 West Chester, meaning your payback period could last 15.2 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Although solar energy is a great option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, a contractor might recommend 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 help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
The best type of residential solar panel will depend on your specific needs and goals. In most cases, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for houses in West Chester. However, if you have a limited budget, then you could polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels. When you're gathering estimates, make sure to ask about the types of solar panels an installer offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
