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residential financial incentives

For a current list of all state and federal incentives, please visit the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

PA SUNSHINE PROGRAM IS HERE!!!

The long-awaited PA Sunshine Solar Rebate Program opens on Monday, May 18th.

Residential rebates will be available for Photovotaic (electric) installations at a rate of $2.25/watt for up to 10 kW; that's a maximum rebate of $22,500. Small businesses can qualify for rebates for systems up to 200 kW in a stepped amount program. Solar Hot Water systems are also eligible for the program with a maximum available rebate of $2,000.

SunLion Energy IS an approved contractor!

Rebate recipients must use a state-approved contractor. Applications for rebate reservation must be submitted, along with required documentation and an application fee. SunLion will be completing all required paperwork and submitting it for our customers. The state will approve the rebate and reserve those funds for you, to be paid when the installation is done and inspections are completed.

With the Federal Tax Credit of 30% and the
new PA Solar Rebate Program, NOW is the
time to make the move to Solar!

If you have not contacted us for an estimate for YOUR HOME or SMALL BUSINESS, contact us today and provide us with your annual Kilowatt Hours (kWh) consumption from a recent electric bill. If you have already received this information and have been waiting for the rebate program to finalize a contract or schedule your site inspection with us, NOW is the time to move ahead!



FEDERAL

Residential Solar Tax Credit
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 included an extension of the federal tax credits for renewable energy installations. Extended through 2016, residential solar electric (PV) installations are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit, for systems commissioned after December 31, 2008. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 upgraded the tax credits for Solar Hot Water and Small Wind investments. Solar Hot Water and Small Wind installations now qualify for a full 30% federal tax credit, through 2016.

Note that the tax credit does not apply to solar water heating property for swimming pools or hot tubs.

The tax credit is calculated based on the individual’s cost to install the system. Expenditures include labor costs for the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of the system and for piping or wiring to interconnect the system to the dwelling. Consumers who receive other incentives are advised to consult with a tax professional regarding if there is an impact to their federal tax credit. If the federal tax credit exceeds tax liability, the excess amount may be carried forward to the succeeding taxable year.

To be eligible for the full credit, a system must be "placed in service" or activated on or after January 1st of the tax year the credit is claimed. Expenditures with respect to the equipment are treated as made when the installation is completed. If the installation is on a new home, the "placed in service" date is the date of occupancy by the homeowner.


STATE

Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (Keystone HELP)
Funded by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department and administered by AFC First, the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) is a low-interest loan program for homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. Many efficiency improvements are covered by the program, including improvements to heating and cooling systems, upgrades to windows, doors, insulation and siding and upgrades of lighting and ceiling fans. In addition, this loan covers the purchase and installation of solar, wind and geothermal systems.

Most loans have a 10-year repayment term with a 8.99% interest rate, but some low-income participants may qualify for a lower 6.99% interest rate. There is no pre-payment penalty, equity requirement or outside fees. The improvements must be completed by an AFC First or Fannie Mae-approved contractor.

Net Metering
In Pennsylvania, investor-owned utilities must offer net metering to residential customers that generate electricity with systems up to 50 kilowatts (kW) in capacity. Systems eligible for net metering include those that generate electricity using photovoltaics (PV), solar-thermal energy, and wind energy (in addition to other systems).

Net metering is achieved using a single, bi-directional meter that can measure and record the flow of electricity in both directions at the same rate. Any customer net excess generation (NEG) will be credited at the utility's retail rate and carried over to the customer's next bill during a 12-month period.

The PUC adopted net-metering rules and interconnection standards for net-metered systems and other forms of DG in 2006, pursuant to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004.



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