The average price for solar panels in Pennsylvania is $2.38 per watt, which is lower than the average $3 per watt for most states in the U.S. Thanks to the 30% Federal tax credit, the cost of a 5 kW – 6 kW solar system, which is used in most residential properties, is $9,500 – $12,700 on average.

The average installation cost for a solar system in Pennsylvania is between $12,900 to $19,500 for a 6 kW system. The installation cost depends on the type of solar panels, the installation company, whether the system is tied to the grid or off the grid, and additions such as a battery backup.

Solar panels can eliminate almost your entire electricity bill. As long as you are connected to the grid, it is impossible to eliminate all your electricity bills since you still get charged a basic connection fee. Since most people don’t install batteries for their solar systems, most systems work by selling the extra energy generated during the day to the grid and then withdrawing that energy during the night. Therefore, as long as the extra energy generated during the day matches the energy withdrawn from the grid at night, then you can eliminate your electricity bills. Since Pennsylvania has a net-metering incentive, if the energy you generate is much higher than the energy you draw from the grid, then you stand to make a profit and increase your savings. In 9 – 12 years, the solar system will cost and earnings will have evened out at which point the system will have paid for itself. 

Pennsylvania enjoys an average of 179 sunny days, which is only slightly below the 205 sunny days national average. The state currently has a capacity of 786.7 MW production in solar energy. As an individual, however, it is good to note that the solar energy generated from residential solar panels is more than you would need, especially if you make use of all the available roof space. The production capacity depends on roof space, the amount of sun exposure, and the equipment used in your solar system. The average home uses an estimated 10,500 kWh of electricity in a year. About twenty-eight 320-watt solar panels utilizing the entirety of a 500-foot roof space, with about 5 hours of sun exposure, could generate 45,000 kWh of energy, which is a lot more than the needed average for most households.

Monocrystalline panels, polycrystalline panels, and thin-film panels are the major types of solar panels installed in Pennsylvania. Your choice should depend on the cost, roof space, and how much you need in terms of efficiency and power rating.

Monocrystalline solar panels are made up of cells that are each made of a single silicon crystal, making it easier for electrons to flow through. They provide efficiency ratings of between 17% to 22%, which provides a power rating ranging from 320 watts to 375 watts or even higher. They are the most efficient type of solar panel and are ideal for those with limited roof space due to their high power capacity. However, they are also the most expensive type of solar panels, whether in terms of purchase price or installation.

Polycrystalline solar panels are also made up of silicon cells but each cell contains multiple silicon crystals, which reduces efficiency compared to monocrystalline solar panels. The multiple silicon crystals reduce the efficiency with which the electrons flow. They provide efficiency ratings of between 15% to 17%, which provides a power rating ranging from 240 watts to 300 watts, with some having a power rating higher than 300 watts. The production and installation costs are in the mid-range, which makes this type of panel an excellent choice if you want the crystalline panel’s performance but can’t meet the price for monocrystalline panels. 

Thin film solar panels are made by placing a layer of photovoltaic substance on a solid surface, usually glass. Since there are different types of photovoltaic substances, the energy efficiency ratings are varied with an average efficiency rating of 11%. The sizes are also not uniform, which makes the power rating dependent on the size of the panel. Common photovoltaic substances used in thin film solar panels include copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and amorphous silicon (a-Si). They are easily portable and can be flexible, which makes them easy to install and the most affordable option among solar panels. If you have a lot of roof space, you should consider installing thin film panels.

Yes. The installation of solar panels increases the property’s market value by an estimated 4%. Unfortunately, the state doesn’t provide an exemption for property taxes, which means an increase in property taxes after solar installation as well as an additional state sales tax for your solar system components during a sale.

Cost is certainly an important consideration when purchasing solar panels but it is not the most important. Although there isn’t a factor that should be considered more than others, you should look into the efficiency and power rating of the panels with a more critical eye than cost. That is especially the case since you enjoy incentives and rebates in Pennsylvania, which could be useful in lowering the cost. Additionally, you can even secure a loan to cover the cost of your solar panels. Aside from the efficiency and power rating of the panel, you should also consider your roof space, HOA and environmental zoning specifications, and panel size.

Solar power helps the environment by reducing the number of fossil fuels burned for energy and the need to do so. Burning fossil fuels results in air pollution and increases greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. The fewer of these we have in the environment, the better. Solar power generation doesn’t contribute to pollution, which is why it is noted as clean energy. Additionally, the generation of solar power doesn’t consume non-renewable resources as is the case with energy generated from fossil fuels.