16 Best Solar Companies in Richmond, PA (Sep 2022 Review)

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Richmond

Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to set up your panels. Some main factors that determine how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:

• System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
• Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly 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. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $14,000 over the first 20 years with your solar panels, too.
• The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Due to Richmond's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electric bills.
• How much you spend on energy: The typical household in Richmond shells out around $1,000 a year on energy alone, so you could gain that much in savings.

Though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your solar panel system and your local electricity rates.

Solar Incentives in Richmond

Switching to solar power has a lot of great benefits. Not only can it help preserve the Earth, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also possibly use the ITC with other state and city incentives. For detailed information about incentives for homeowners in Richmond, check out the table below.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Richmond

There are a few key reasons why homeowners want to invest in solar energy: for the good of their bank accounts and the planet. But — how much exactly can you help the environment by using solar power? How much energy you use is a key factor to think about. The more power you use, the larger your impact when you make the switch to solar power. In Richmond, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year once they go solar. As you can see, going solar has so many other benefits beyond saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the environment too.