Josephine NesbitContributing Writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Apr. 22, 2024
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Homefront Local uses a unique algorithm to score solar companies based on important factors like user reviews and how popular they are in your area.
High-quality solar panel installation in Haverford, Pennsylvania requires you to find a solar installer with proper certification, skills and experience. We've compiled a list of the highest-rated solar companies in Haverford to help you find the perfect installer.
Prior to choosing an installer, ask others for recommendations, review potential installers and get multiple quotes to determine the ideal company for you. You can choose a local Haverford solar company or select a reputable national brand.
Even though solar panels are a major upfront investment, you can lower your energy bills over the long term. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), changing to solar energy enables Haverford homeowners to save $1,100 on average each year.
Not every solar company has the same offerings. Ahead of scheduling your solar panel installation, weigh different companies' offerings and get quotes from each.
Look for Haverford solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars based on customer critiques on Google Reviews and comparable sites. Make sure the company has a high rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) when selecting a solar company.
You should look through past customer reviews to gain insight into other homeowners' thoughts about the company. Keep an eye out for repeated negative feedback as a potential red flag.
Even areas with variable sun amounts, including rainier and cloudier places such as Haverford, can still use solar panels. Key reasons to switch to solar include these:
According to our survey carried out in October 2023, the median national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
What you'll pay to install solar panels depends on factors such as your region, sunlight levels, roof positioning, shading, system size and labor. The cost goes up if you select any accessories like solar trackers, batteries or animal guards.
According to numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NASA and the EIA, solar panel installation in Haverford has an average cost of $16,181.
Putting in solar panels calls for sizable spending upfront, but you can make those costs back through major reductions in your energy bills down the line.
After moving completely to solar power, Haverford homeowners typically see cost savings. However, recovering the initial investment requires time, and elements like rain and tree shade impact the timeline for achieving returns on your solar investment.
Not only does adopting solar save you money, but it also reduces your carbon footprint and its impact on the environment. Below are approximated CO2 emission reductions you can expect from going solar, according to our calculations based on data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
There are a number of solar incentives open to homeowners in Haverford. Certain programs cover all Pennsylvania residents, while others depend on your city, municipality and utility company.
Here are solar incentives available to Pennsylvania residents, as listed by DSIRE.
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Loan Program High Performance Buildings Incentive Program | Residential loans/loan guarantees: $100,000 Commercial loans/loan guarantees: $2 million Grants: Lesser of 10% of project costs or $500,000 |
Loan Program Wind and Geothermal Incentives Program | 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 |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Solar Alternative Energy Credits | 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. |
Grant Program High Performance Building Incentives Program | Vary by project, but program generally requires matching funds at least equivalent to DCED funding |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 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. |
Consider the following before hiring a professional solar panel installation company.
Your solar panel system's size is influenced by your home's energy consumption and the system's production capacity. Bigger households use more electricity and might require larger solar panel systems. An undersized system could struggle to fully energize your house.
Required permits and local or state codes could affect your solar project. Be sure to apply for necessary permits through your local building department and plan an inspection.
Not every house gets the same sun exposure. Nearby trees, precipitation and extreme weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks adequate sunlight, you may need more panels with increased wattage.
Many solar panel systems provide a battery. Solar batteries store extra power, which is incredibly helpful when you want to avoid power loss when there's no sunshine. Adding battery storage may increase the overall expense.
Several solar panel varieties exist, each differing in design, life expectancy and efficiency. These factors impact pricing, the frequency of replacing panels and the amount of roof space you'll need.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
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