On January 1, 2009, photovoltaic solar panel system installers received a break when Congress removed the $2,000 cap on the 30% solar rebate on approved photovoltaic solar panel systems. Overnight, the solar rebate made photovoltaic solar panel systems a financially competitive investment by reducing the payback period of a solar panel system and increasing the return on investment (ROI) to 8-15%.
Following the United States federal government’s lead, many states and local utility companies added additional solar rebates. Pennsylvania released the Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Program in May of 2009. The Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Program offers $100 million in solar rebates to small businesses and homeowners installing a photovoltaic solar panel system between 1 and 10 kW. It costs $100 to apply for the solar rebate, requires a minimum $250 solar system deposit, and the photovoltaic solar panel system must be operational within 12 months. Homeowners and business owners must apply for the Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Program solar rebate before purchasing a solar system because the solar rebate does not apply to previous costs. <read more about Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Program>
Rich Hessler
