PA urges solar applications for rebates

P.A. Urges Solar Applications for Last $1 Million in Rebates

Pennsylvania urges solar applicationsPennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett is reminding residents that they could qualify for a significant rebate if they install rooftop solar panels before the end of the year.

With just two months left in 2013, the state has $1 million in rebates left to distribute.

While $1 million in rebates might seem like a lot, it’s only one-seventh of the $7 million allocated for the year and there’s still a sixth of a year left before 2014 starts. That means state decision makers measured out the rebates pretty well when compared to states that run out of rebate funds within days of launching their programs.

Local media reports, however, have noted that commercial adopters haven’t been stepping up to take advantage of the generous 50 to 75-cent per watt rebate program the way residential homeowners have been.

Small businesses with up to 100 employees can qualify for a Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Rebate of up to $52,500. Residential homeowners can get up to $7,500 at 75 cents per DC watt.

Home and business owners can also get rebates of up to 35 percent of the installed cost of a solar hot water system.  This tallies up to $5,000 for residential and $50,000 for commercial applications.

The remaining $1 million will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The rebate was designed to spur the green energy economy in Pennsylvania and requires home and business owners to work with a Department of Environmental Protection certified installer.

With the clock ticking, state leaders expect several applications for new solar projects. This is in stark contrast to many other states that are whittling down their solar rebates as the installed cost of solar continues to slip due to market forces that have reduced solar panel prices by more than 70 percent in the last three years.

Though residents don’t likely need much of a push to get their applications in, the state is actively reminding home and business owners to do so as quickly as possible.

"We encourage Pennsylvania's residents and small business owners to not delay in taking advantage of this funding before the program expires," said Chris Abruzzo, Acting Secretary of the DEP.