8 Best Solar Companies in Erie, PA (Aug 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 8 in Erie based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Updated 7/19/2022
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Erie
When choosing between the best solar panel installers, Erie homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be overwhelming, but we're here to make adopting solar power less confusing. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can greatly bring down your electricity bill each month, if not entirely eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary greatly based on your home's configuration and your overall energy requirements. We recommend shopping around to get several quotes and comparing them to figure out which is the best installer for your home. To get free, no-pressure quotes from vetted solar companies in Erie, click the link below.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Erie
Nationwide Service
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Regional Service
Average Cost
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
Nationwide Service
Average Cost
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Local Service
Solar Revolution LLC
- Offers a free quote process
- Can browse portfolio on website
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
Regional Service
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Regional Service
Average Cost
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Regional Service
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Local Service
City Solar
- Offers a free quote process
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Erie
While solar panels can help save you a good amount of money on energy over time, it's important to take into consideration the upfront costs. Some main factors that influence how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, and how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can make.
- The kind of solar panels you want: More efficient models have higher prices, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be an expensive option for homes that don't consume a lot of energy a month.
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar system this year can save 26% of their overall solar costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $17,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.
Thanks to the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as several solar incentives, they are a sound investment for many homeowners.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and help protect the environment by installing solar panels, you can try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Erie, PA.
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Solar Incentives in Erie
Adopting solar power has plenty of wonderful benefits. Not only can it help protect the environment, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. These incentives normally consist of cash rebates, tax benefits and/or performance-based incentives. They can lower the cost of going solar by 26 to 50% in some cases. The table below lets you know about the incentives you can take advantage of in Erie.
| Name | Solar Alternative Energy Credits |
| 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 Max | Varies based on market conditions; SACP does not represent a price ceiling because it is only determined after the fact |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | High Performance Building Incentives Program |
| Incentive Amount | Vary by project, but program generally requires matching funds at least equivalent to DCED funding |
| Incentive Max | Residential loans/loan guarantees: $100,000 Commercial loans/loan guarantees: $2 million Grants: Lesser of 10% of project costs or $500,000 |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | ITC |
| Type | Tax Incentive |
| Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
| Website | Visit here |
| Name | High Performance Buildings Incentive Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Erie
If you're considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the main reasons why may be to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions. Something many homeowners might be asking themselves is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? Your energy usage is a key factor to consider. The more energy your household consumes, the bigger your impact when you go solar. After you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be lowered by about 50 pounds every year. As you can see, going solar has so many other perks outside of saving money. One of the most important ones is that you can help save the environment too.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Erie, PA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Erie?
In Erie, Solar Revolution LLC is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.18 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
What are a few of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
The advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, completely eradicate your electricity bills, improve your home's value and lower your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save a lot if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 10.6 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How long do solar panels last?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency after that time.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.