15 Best Solar Companies in Reading, PA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Reading based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Reading, PA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Reading homeowner saves $1,208/year with solar panels
Updated February 01, 2024
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Reading
If you’re a homeowner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in Reading, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which company to choose. But, it's worth it since adopting solar energy is typically a good choice. With an average energy bill of $1,243 per month in Reading, switching to solar power can reduce your monthly bills by about that much.
In this article, we’ll let you in on the top Reading solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home’s sustainable energy needs.To get an estimate of what it would cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Reading
SunPower Builders
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
Stokes Solar LLC,
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
Lumina Solar PA
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Commercial Panels
PowerStream Solar & Electric
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Pinnacle Exteriors
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Full-Service
- Skilled Repairs
Bright Eye Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Green Home Systems
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
Evoke Solar, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Full-Service
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
PosiGen
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
- Energy Efficiency Audit
- Solar Panel Upgrades
TerraSol Energies, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
Advanced Solar Ideas
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Maintenance
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Battery Storage
Smucker's Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Commercial Panels
KC Green Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Maintenance
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Commercial Panels
- Energy Efficiency Audit
Green Way Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
Wind and Solar LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Solar Roof Assessment
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Reading
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Reading based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Reading
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Pennsylvania solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Reading
The cost of putting up solar panels has decreased greatly in the past several years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.There are several factors you should consider when determining the overall cost and how much you can save, including:
- Incentives: One thing that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your power bills, which can give you an average of $14,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The model of solar panel system you have the money for: This is dependent on how much you’re willing to spend upfront.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: This, and the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can make.
- The cost of electricity in your area: If your local electricity rates are quite high, there's a better chance you'll end up with a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Reading, you can save an average of $1,243 a month on your electricity bills.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to reduce your energy bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Reading homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Reading
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make going solar more affordable and accessible.Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some local incentives that stack with the ITC too. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can find in Reading.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Reading
There are a few main reasons why many people are considering solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.Something many might be wondering about is how much can they really help protect the environment by switching to solar power anyway? In a place like Reading where commute times can be pretty long, using solar power can help help reduce the carbon footprint of being on the road a lot.When you go solar, your carbon emissions can be reduced by about 50 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll no doubt recognize that there are many benefits of adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Reading, PA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The highest-rated local solar company in Reading is SunPower Builders, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Producing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
Solar panels need a considerable upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What are the different types of solar panels?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. In terms of efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by the layout of your roof, how much you're willing to spend and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.