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Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of Reading. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
To complete a high-quality solar panel installation in Reading, Pennsylvania, you'll need to hire a properly certified, qualified and experienced solar installer. We've assembled a list of the best solar companies in Reading to help you choose the right one.
Prior to picking an installer, ask others for suggestions, assess potential companies and request multiple quotes to find the right company for your needs. You can choose a local solar company in Reading or use a well-known national brand.
Even though solar panels are a significant upfront investment, you can lower your energy bills over the long term. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that switching to solar energy allows Reading homeowners to save about $1,000 per year.
Solar companies do not all have the same services and products. You should look at different companies and ask for quotes before scheduling your solar panel installation.
Look for Reading solar companies that have a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars in customer ratings on Google Reviews and similar review platforms. The company should also have a high rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Look at reviews to learn about other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and watch for mutiple bad reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Places with different sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like Reading, can still benefit from solar power. The top reasons to adopt solar energy are:
Per a survey we carried out in October 2023, the typical cost of putting in solar panels across the country is $11,743.
The price of installing solar panels differs based on several factors, including your location, sunlight access, roof orientation, shading, system size and labor. Be prepared to pay extra if you pick any extras like solar trackers, batteries or animal guards.
According to statistics from NASA, the EIA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the average expense to install solar panels in Reading is $16,528.
Solar panel installation is a sizable initial investment, but you can expect to see considerable savings reflected in your energy bills with time.
In Reading, you can anticipate saving money after going completely to solar. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage impact how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
Transitioning to solar not only saves money but also decreases your carbon emissions and environmental footprint. Our calculations using NASA and EPA data show the projected CO2 emission reductions achievable by going solar.
Experts Ready to Help
Homeowners in Reading can qualify for several solar incentives. Some are available statewide for all Pennsylvania residents, and others are based on your utility company, municipality and city.
The following solar incentives are offered to Pennsylvania residents, according to DSIRE:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Loan Program High Performance Buildings Incentive Program | Residential loans/loan guarantees: $100,000 Commercial loans/loan guarantees: $2 million Grants: Lesser of 10% of project costs or $500,000 |
Loan Program Wind and Geothermal Incentives Program | Manufacturer loans: $40,000 per job created within 3 years Manufacturer grants: $5,000 per job created within 3 years Loans for geothermal systems: $3 per square foot of space served up to $5 million; also limited to 50% of eligible costs for residential systems. Loans for wind energy production projects: $5 million Grants for wind energy production projects: $1 million Grants for feasibility studies: 50% of cost up to $175,000 Loan guarantee grants: Up to 75% of deficient funds up to $5 million |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Solar Alternative Energy Credits | Varies based on market conditions; during 2015 the market price for PA-sourced SRECs has ranged from approximately $32 - $55/MWh ($0.032 - $0.055/kWh) although individual trades have taken place at substantially lower and higher prices. |
Grant Program High Performance Building Incentives Program | Vary by project, but program generally requires matching funds at least equivalent to DCED funding |
Rebate Program First Energy (MetEdison, Penelec, Penn Power, West Penn Power) - Residential Solar Water Heating Program | $500 |
Rebate Program FirstEnergy (MetEdison, Penelec, Penn Power, West Penn Power) - Residential Energy Efficiency Programs | Appliances Refrigerator: $75 Clothes Washer: $25- $50 Clothes Dryer: $50 Freezers: $25 Dehumidifiers: $25 Fridge/Freezer Recycling: $50 HVAC HVAC tune up: $50 Furnace Fan Motor: $150 Ductless Minisplit AC : $200 Central AC: $100 - $200 Air Source Heat pump: $250 - $500 Geothermal Heat Pump: $600 Packaged Terminal AC: $75 Packaged Terminal Heat Pump: $150 Programmable Thermostat: $25 Others Solar Water Heat: $500 Heat Pump Water Heater: $500 Home Energy Audit: $250 Lighting: Available as in-store discount in participating stores |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
Before choosing a solar panel installation expert, reflect on these important questions.
The size of your system relies on your household’s energy consumption and the solar panel system's production ratio. Larger households typically use more energy and may require a bigger setup. If the system isn’t large enough, it may lack enough energy to power your entire home.
Required permits and local or state regulations could influence your solar project. Be sure to secure necessary permits through your local building department and book an inspection.
Not all homes receive the same amount of sunlight. Surrounding trees, rain and severe weather conditions in your area can impact sunlight access. If your home doesn’t get enough sunlight, then you may require more panels with a higher wattage.
A solar battery facilitates the storage of extra power in solar panel systems. This becomes incredibly helpful when you're trying to prevent power loss in overcast weather conditions. The extra battery storage could raise the cost of installation.
You can select from several types of solar panels, each varying in efficiency, design and life expectancy. These factors not only influence the price, but also the speed at which you’ll need to replace panels and how much space the panels take up on your roof.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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