Pennsylvania Solar Installation

Call three or more solar contractors to schedule a site visit to determine if your house meets the rebate guidelines. To participate in the program, homeowners must use a contractor who is on the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved list. Schedule the site visits for a time when you can be present to ask questions and provide access to your house.

Review the proposals from each contractor. Verify that all components proposed are new and listed on the California Solar Initiative's list of eligible equipment, per PA rebate guidelines. Confirm that the contractor you favor employs at least one North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) approved installer and is in good standing with the DEP. The solar system can't be smaller than 1 kilowatt (kW) or greater than 10 kW. Compare your historical kWh consumption from your electrical bills to the estimated kWh projections provided by the contractor.

Select a solar contractor. The contractor will submit the pre-approval application to the DEP in an effort reserve funds for the solar installation. If the application is approved, you will have 12 months to complete the installation.

Schedule the solar system installation. The contractor should pull all pertinent permits and schedule inspections. Upon completion of the installation, the contractor is required provide an owner's manual including one-line diagrams and warranty information.

Demand a walk-thru from the solar contractor to confirm that the system is working. Ask the installer to explain how to read the utility meters and how to determine if the system is performing to expectations.

Confirm that the solar contractor has submitted the Post-Installation Reimbursement Application form with required supplemental materials. Net-metering and interconnection paperwork from your utility must be included, along with a final invoice confirming the installation has been paid in full.