17 Best Solar Companies in Northampton, PA (Feb 2023 Review)

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Northampton

Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you must first pay to install your panels. The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:

• Your location: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
• The model of solar panels you have the money for: This depends on what your budget is.
• Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 30% of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $15,000 over 20 years with your system, too.
• Your current power bills: Solar panels can greatly lower, or completely eradicate, your utility bills. In Northampton, you can save an average of $89 a month.

Due to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a solid investment for most homeowners.

Solar Incentives in Northampton

Since solar power is better for the environment than burning fossil fuels, there are a number of government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch. There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn some money back after installing a solar panel system. For more information about local incentives, see our our article on solar incentives.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Northampton

Lots of people want to do their part to help the planet, which often is the prime motivation to install a solar system. But how much can switching to solar actually help the environment? In a place like Northampton where commute times can be very long, using solar power can help help reduce the carbon footprint of driving. Though solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In Northampton, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. If you want to do your part for the environment, you'll likely understand that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.