Solar Savings

Q: How much does a solar energy system cost?
A: It is impossible to give a simple answer, since this depends on system capacity, home layout, and other variables. Certainly the cost has gone down dramatically in recent years, and now there are many tax breaks, electricity buy-back programs, and incentives. Please contact us for pricing and more information.

Q: How does electricity buyback work?
A: This is often called “net metering” and is available from many utility companies. If you generate more electricity than you use, the excess goes back to your utility company, spinning the meter backward and giving you a credit for the electricity your PV system generated.

On Nov. 30, 2004, Governor Edward Rendell signed the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act 213 into law.
Act 213 requires electric distribution companies and electric generation suppliers to include a specific percentage of electricity from alternative resources in the generation that they sell to Pennsylvania customers. The level of alternative energy required gradually increases to 18 percent in 2020 under a schedule provided in Act 213. Alternative sources defined in the legislation include hydro, wind, solar, waste coal, landfill methane and fuel cells.
The regulations also establish the net metering and compensation provisions that allow utilities to reimburse customer-generators for surplus energy supplied to the electric grid.
Additionally, the act establishes regulations governing interconnection for customer-generators.

Q: Where can I find out about federal and state incentives?
A: The US Department of Energy (www.dsireusa.org) has a database of federal and state
incentives for renewable energy.