Solar Incentives

Are you waiting for solar equipment costs to go down before having a system installed?

Alternative forms of energy are becoming increasingly popular with people today, including residents of Lancaster, PA. And solar incentives help make it easier! While solar equipment cost may come down a little over the next few years, federal and state incentives are currently at their best. The federal and state government plans to phase out the incentives over the next several years in hope that the incentives will not be needed to keep the alternative energy market strong.

The time to go solar is now. Current tax credits, incentives, and rebates exist at the federal, state and local level making it a perfect time to invest in solar energy for your home or business.

Solar Electric Financial Incentives

The solar electric system installer MUST be on the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) list of improved installers. Bright Eye Solar is an approved installer by the Pennsylvania DEP.

State Rebate (PA Sunshine Grant Rebate)

Residential:
The PA rebate covers only the first 10KWs installed. Customers can install larger systems and still take advantage of other incentives however the PA rebate will only provide reimbursement for up to the first 10KW installed. Currently the rebate reimbursement is for $.75 for every watt installed. Applicants must be Pennsylvania residents. The applicant must be the owner of the home where the project will be installed and it must be the homeowner’s primary residence. Vacation homes and investment properties will not qualify for funding.

Commercial:
The PA rebate covers the first 200KWs installed. Currently the rebate amount is $.75 per watt for the first 10KW and then $.50 per watt for the next 90KW and $.25 for the other 100KW. For example a 300 KW system would get a rebate check for $77,500.00. Small business applicants must be a for profit business located in PA. The applicant must be a separate legal entity with no more than 100 full time employees. Applicants must not have any outstanding obligations to the commonwealth, including but not limited to outstanding taxes.

Bright Eye Solar Procedures

Bright Eye Solar must prepare your pre-installation application for the DEP and will charge the customer $275 for this service in addition to the $100 application fee that the DEP charges. Bright Eye Solar LLC will not charge customers for the pre-installation application if we find that the site is not a feasible location for a solar installation and we will not submit an application to the DEP.

Once the information is entered in to the DEP’s online system the funds will be reserved pending that the supporting documents are sent in the mail within 30 days. The DEP requires that a shading analysis be conducted and detailed blue print plans be sent showing the wiring diagram, specifications of the individual components, plot plan and approvals. Bright Eye Solar charges $775 for this service.

Once your application is approved with the DEP you will receive a reservation number for your grant. Please note that all grant reservations expire in 12 months, so it is important to deploy your PV solar system promptly to guarantee reimbursement.

Once Bright Eye Solar completes your system install; Bright Eye Solar will file a Post-Installation Reimbursement Application on behalf of the customer. The state will then issue the rebate to the customer after reviewing the post-installation application. Please be aware that it may take up to 4 months for the state to issue the check.

Federal and State Incentives

Bright Eye Solar will install your residential system for an average cost of $5.25 per watt using only components that have proven to be of the highest quality in the industry. The customer will be entitled to receive a state reimbursement of $.75 per watt.

As an example; a 5KW grid-tied system will cost $5.25 per watt x 5000 watts = $26,250 to install. The customer will then be entitled a rebate from the state for $.75 per watt x 5000 watts = $3,750. The customer will also be entitled to a 30% federal tax credit of total installed system cost, which represents another $7,875. Thus, your installed price after the rebate and tax credit will be about $14,625.00.

Energy Credits

In addition to the federal tax credit and state rebate you are entitled to receive energy credits for the renewable energy that you will be producing. For every megawatt that your system produces annually you will earn one energy credit. A 5KW system generally produces 5 energy credits per year. You than sell your energy credits to a broker who will pay you the going rate which is currently around $250- $300 each. For our 5KW example; you should expect to earn $1500- $1800 per year.

Ask us how Bright Eye Solar can guarantee you quarterly payments automatically for your energy credits and lock you in at the current rate for 3 or 5 years at a time!

Sunshine Grant Funds Are Limited And Will Run Out!

If you're interested in Lancaster, PA solar incentives to help free you from your current high-cost electric usage, the team at Bright Eyes Solar has the answers you're looking for. Contact us today to speak to one of our solar energy installers to discuss your project!