Top 5 Best Solar Companies in Pennsylvania (2023 Reviews)

How to Save Money When Hiring a Solar Company in Pennsylvania

On average, the cost for Pennsylvanians to go solar is around $21,675, before any incentives. After the federal solar tax credit, that number can drop to around $15,173. These totals are based on Pennsylvania’s average price per watt of $2.55 and assume you’ll need the 8.5 kilowatt (kW) system that most other residents require to offset electric bills.

This total is below the national average — which is $23,940 before the tax credit or $16,758 after — so Pennsylvania homeowners get more bang for their buck when converting to clean energy. However, it’s still expensive, so like most residents, you may be looking for ways to keep prices down. Below we list a few tips to reduce costs when choosing an installer in Pennsylvania and explain why these tips can help.

• Choose an experienced company that can help you take advantage of local benefit programs.
• Choose an installer that has high-efficiency panels.

Take Advantage of Local Benefit Programs

One of the reasons we recommend experienced companies — and specifically installers that have operated in Pennsylvania for some time — is because they are more often knowledgeable about available incentives. Pennsylvania is home to federal, state and local incentives, and a company that is familiar with these will likely save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Below is a list of the available solar incentives in Pennsylvania. You can ask your installer about available benefit programs to gauge how likely the company is to save you money.

Choose Panels With a High Efficiency Rating

Next, we recommend choosing an installer that offers high-efficiency solar panels. Since the weather in parts of Pennsylvania can be cloudy more often than in other states, efficient panels are a must-have if you want to offset your utility bills. Cloud coverage can drop production by up to 90%, and a high efficiency rating will help keep production up in all conditions.

Companies that provide Maxeon panels are the best suited for Pennsylvania residents, as these are the highest efficiency panels in the industry. Other good options include Panasonic, REC, Tesla, Silfab, Canadian Solar, Q-Cells and Trina Solar. Tesla solar roof shingles are up there as well, although they are quite expensive.

The highest-quality solar panels often cost more, but they’re likely to save you money by offsetting more of your utility bills over time in Pennsylvania.

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value in Pennsylvania?

Yes! Installing solar panels should increase your home value by around 4.1%, which is huge in Pennsylvania.⁵ The average property value in the Keystone State is around $270,000, so your panels will provide an average increase of around $11,070.⁶ Considering the typical system after the ITC in Pennsylvania costs just over $15,000, this makes PV equipment well worth the investment.

Since solar energy systems tend to provide a fractional bump, more expensive areas in Pennsylvania will naturally see greater benefits from solar conversion. The below cities in the area are some of the most expensive in the state, which means the return on investment (ROI) from solar should also be the highest:

• Villanova
• Gladwyne
• Haverford
• New Hope
• Philadelphia
• Fort Washington

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Should Pennsylvania Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer or DIY?

It’s often tempting for Pennsylvania residents to consider a DIY solar installation, as the average cost is well below what you’d pay for professional installation. Unfortunately, it’s not always a good idea to attempt a solar installation yourself. Below, we explain why.

• DIY panels have a lower efficiency, which may not be suitable for the low-sun conditions in parts of Pennsylvania.
• DIY solar installations leave your roof at higher risk of leaking, which is an issue given the above-average rainfall in Pennsylvania.
• Professional systems have better warranty coverage to keep your equipment protected from the sometimes harsh conditions in Pennsylvania.

Panel Efficiency is Lower in DIY Kits

First and foremost, you should carefully consider the panel’s efficiency. DIY panels almost always have a lower efficiency rating than professionally installed options. Efficiency is important in Pennsylvania, especially on the western side of the state where residents are prone to more cloud coverage.

It’s true, DIY installation would be cheaper than having a professional do the work for you. However, using high-efficiency panels will almost always offset more of your energy bills, which could end up saving you more over time. This is especially true in a climate like Pennsylvania’s.

Roof Leaks Are More Common With DIY Installations

A leaking roof is one of the most common problems with solar installations. Most professional companies include workmanship warranties that provide some peace of mind that you’re unlikely to have issues stemming from improper installation techniques.

Professionals with years of experience are far less likely to make errors in the installation process than inexperienced DIYers. That means that installing your own panels will leave you more prone to roof leaks. Unfortunately, roof leaking is more of an issue in Pennsylvania, which receives above-average rainfall and snowfall each year.

Again, installing your own panels will save you money on installation costs. However, if you make any mistakes and cause damage to your property, you could end up spending more repairing your roof or water damage than you’d save on installation upfront

Warranty Coverage is Less Appealing With DIY Panels

Finally, DIY panels don’t include much in the way of warranties. Most come with coverage for between one and five years for manufacturer defects, but they often lack efficiency warranties and never come with workmanship coverage. Professional installers often include coverage for all three and for much longer — up to 25 or 30 years in many cases.

Solar warranties provide peace of mind that your panels will continue to produce energy and remain safe through the thunderstorms, snowstorms, tornadoes and other harsh weather that can frequent Pennsylvania. Efficiency warranties, specifically, can help guarantee that you see a higher return on investment in the long run.

What Should Pennsylvanians Look For in a Solar Installer?

There are a few things you should look for in Pennsylvania when choosing a solar installer to help maximize your savings and keep upfront costs down.

• High-efficiency panel brands
• Extensive warranty coverage
• Good customer satisfaction and response times

Panel Brands Available

As we’ve mentioned, parts of Pennsylvania — notably the western side of the state — can see cloudier weather, so sunlight availability can be relatively low in those areas. To take full advantage of the sun that is available, we recommend you choose a company that provides efficient panels.

Given the state’s weather conditions, companies that offer Maxeon panels are the best options in Pennsylvania. These provide the most energy production of any brand on the market, so they’ll give the highest return on investment, even in low-sun conditions. However, any brand that has over 20% efficiency should suffice.

Ample Warranty Coverage

Pennsylvania residents contend with the potential for harsh weather, including rainfall that is well above average. Warranties that protect your system from damage — from things like fallen tree limbs and blown debris — are a great option.

More importantly, we recommend you choose an installer that provides efficiency and workmanship warranties. Efficiency guarantees help to ensure your panels will continue to save you money on utility bills for years in Pennsylvania.

Workmanship coverage is also great, as it can provide peace of mind that the above-average precipitation won’t lead to solar roof leaks and property damage.

Customer Service and Communication

Pennsylvania is home to over 180 solar installation companies, and with the recent surge in demand, many of them are struggling to keep up with the number of solar projects.⁷ Some companies provide below-average customer service as a result, which you want to avoid.

Poor customer service can not only lead to a bad experience when converting to solar power, but it can also mean slow response times to warranty claims or even no response at all.

To avoid this, we recommend reading through some positive and negative customer reviews for any installer you’re considering. That will give you a snapshot of what you can expect throughout the installation process and beyond.

Methodology: How We Ranked Pennsylvania’s Solar Installers

We look at many factors when reviewing solar companies to find the best in your area, then weigh those factors based on the impact each will have on your experience and the industry as a whole.

Our goal is to deliver unbiased reports and honest reviews, thus, our methodology is not affected by commercial partnerships and is specifically tailored to Pennsylvania homes.

• Solar Services (20%)

• Qualifications, Reputation & Certifications (20%)

• Solar Warranty & Customer Support (15%)

• Solar Financing Options (15%)

• Experience (10%)

• Availability (10%)

• Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Factors (10%)

Solar Services

In our opinion, one of the most crucial factors for PA residents looking to convert to solar is the services offered to them by a provider.

Pennsylvanians see an average of just 179 days of sunshine per year, which is well below the national average of 205. A lack of available sunshine means lower levels of solar production, which means your potential for savings will be lower than in most other states.

A good way to maximize your long-term savings and reduce your payback period is to install high-efficiency solar panels. We prioritize companies that specialize in high-quality panel brands, as they’re more likely to deliver a system that’s worth your money.

Qualifications, Certifications and Reputation

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reports that there are over 160 solar installation companies that serve PA. While there are many options available to you, not all providers bring the same quality of service to the table. Plus, in an area like PA with high demand, there are companies that pop up just to turn a profit and are less than reputable.

We prioritize companies that have industry certifications and qualifications, including certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), B-Corp certification and more. These companies are far more likely to cut through the noise of 160+ installers and provide an overall better experience for you.

Experience

In a state where new companies and fly-by-night installers are prevalent, we give precedence to installers that have years of experience. We look specifically for experience in Pennsylvania, as this helps ensure your installer is well-versed in local laws and regulations.

Warranty Coverage

Pennsylvanians are no strangers to extreme weather. Remnants of hurricanes and tropical storms are not uncommon in the area, nor are above-average amounts of rainfall and snowfall each year.

When you pay tens of thousands of dollars for your equipment, you’ll naturally want to make sure your system is protected from damage and the elements to which it will be exposed. Companies that have robust and lengthy warranty coverage are best in PA, so we rank them higher.

Solar Financing Options

The average solar energy system in PA will cost around $15,173 after the federal tax credit is considered, or over $21,500 before the credit. Since paying this amount upfront in cash is unattainable for many PA residents, we prioritize companies that offer robust financing options.

We look first for good solar loan programs that have low-interest rates, reasonable terms and low or no down payment requirements. These will be most accessible to Pennsylvanians. We also consider lease and PPA options, although we generally recommend against those.

Availability

Not all of the solar installers in PA will serve the entire state. Some only service specific regions of Pennsylvania, while others focus on singular major cities and surrounding areas. Naturally, companies with a wider service range will appeal to more people, so we consider availability when ranking companies.

Social & Environmental Impact

Since we’re a website focused on environmental friendliness and the advancement of the clean energy movement in PA, we give precedence to companies that have a positive environmental impact.

We rank companies higher if they do what they can to make solar more accessible, couple panel installations with other energy-efficiency home improvements and align themselves with other eco-friendly associations and organizations, like the Philadelphia Solar Energy Association or the PA Solar Center.

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Read More About Going Solar in Pennsylvania

• Is Solar Worth It in Pennsylvania?
• Pennsylvania Solar Incentives Guide
• Find Cost Savings on Solar Panels in Pennsylvania
• What to Know Before Buying Solar Panels in Pennsylvania