Countries around the world are getting conscious of the energy choices their citizens make. They are promoting the usage of renewable energy resources like solar energy. Even at the base level, there are many environment-conscious individuals trying to learn more about renewable energy resources and the programs supporting their use. If you are an individual living in Pennsylvania and want to learn more about the initiatives your government is putting to save the environment, you must learn about the PA Sunshine program and the energy assistance programs in PA.
What is a PA Sunshine Program?
A state-funded program called the PA Sunshine Program aims to encourage the use of solar power in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) administers this program, which gives residents, companies, and many organizations which are interested in solar panel installation financial benefits, technical support, and curricular resources.
Through the Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Program, household owners and small businesses in Pennsylvania can get rebates worth $100 million to help pay for solar power (solar photovoltaic), solar hot water (solar thermal), and battery backup systems. This program is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection and section 306 of the Alternative Energy Investment Act.
Also, there are several incentives given in this program, which include non-profit organizations that install solar panels on their property, with the amount of the rebate depending on the solar system size and the property type. Low-interest loans are also available for those interested in installing solar panels, covering the cost of the system, installation, and related expenses. The program also offers performance-based incentives, providing payments to solar energy generators based on the amount of electricity they produce, with the aim of encouraging the development of large-scale solar projects in the state.
Does PA Have a Free Solar Program?
After learning about the benefits offered by PA Sunshine Program, it isn’t rare for you to question does PA have a free solar program. Well, in addition to many Pennsylvania solar incentives that offer assistance in saving you money on the solar energy system, there are indeed a few distinct programs that provide free solar panels to residents, which include –
1. Power Purchase Agreement
A PPA is an agreement between you and the solar installers whereby they install your solar panels and sell you the electricity they generate for a predetermined amount of time at a pre-set price. If you don’t want to or are unable to pay for the expense of buying the solar system entirely and paying for the complete installation upfront, this can be a great alternative.
2. PA Sunshine Program
As you have seen already, this program is administered by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). It acts as monetary aid for low-income households or residents who intend to put solar panels on their residences or place of business. You are eligible to install free solar panels only after fulfilling certain requirements. For instance, if your household income is more than 80% of the median income for the whole state, you will no longer be eligible for the PA Sunshine Program.
Along with the state-wide solar initiatives, there are plenty of local solar incentives that serve to assist you in saving money on your solar panels such as the Allegheny County Program, which provides solar energy systems for free or at a reduced cost. For this, you need to have a home in Allegheny County as this program is made for residents of the same area and is offered by the Energy Pittsburgh Initiative.
What is the PA Sunshine Solar Program Guideline?
According to PA Sunshine Program Guidelines, the funding is provided in the form of rebates to residents and small business owners. Qualified candidates will receive rebates on a first-come-first-serve basis.
1. For Residents
Households are eligible for two rebates-one solar thermal incentive with a ceiling of $2,000 and one solar photovoltaic (PV) rebate for up to 10 kW of installed PV generating capacity. An application fee of $100, which is non-refundable, is required to be paid by the candidates. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare will waive the application fee for residential applicants whose family income is less than 60% of the state median income. Investment properties and vacation homes need to be qualified as residential projects for funding purposes.
2. For Small Businesses
The project and rebate procedure must be finished before submitting another application, and a small firm is only permitted to submit one PV and one solar thermal application at a time. Every small business with common ownership will be treated as a single small business applicant for the purposes of this program. You are also supposed to submit a fee of $150 that is usually non-refundable.
Moreover, every applicant must show evidence of a $250 minimum deposit with a certified solar installer. In addition, the applicant must state that the project must be completed within 12 months after the approval of the rebate reservation.
Battery backup systems or any roof repairs are not considered for the rebate funding calculation. However, all charges incurred prior to receiving confirmation of a reservation are incurred at the applicant’s risk. This should have briefly explained what is the PA Sunshine Solar Program.
Also See: Buying a House with Solar Panels Already Installed: Things to Know
What is PA Sunshine Program Application Process?
To apply for the PA Sunshine Program, the applicants need to submit the PA Sunshine Program application through the DEP’s online portal. In this application process, you’ll need to provide information about the proposed solar energy system, like its size, location, and capacity. The applicant needs to provide all the information about his/her utility provider as well as energy consumption.
Once, this application is submitted, the DEP will review it and decide if the proposed energy system is eligible for rebates. If the application gets approved, the applicant will get a rebate payment for a portion of the cost of the solar energy system. This amount is determined on the basis of the capacity and size of the solar energy system. Additionally, it’s subject to the available funding.
Also Read: What Happens When You Pay Off Your Solar Panels?
What are Other Energy Assistance Programs in PA?
Apart from PA Sunshine Program, Pennsylvania offers several other energy assistance programs for eligible low-income residents who need help paying their energy bills. Some of these programs are:
1. LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program): This program aids help low-income households pay for heating and cooling bills. Depending upon the size of the residential house and income, eligibility is decided. LIHEAP also offers crisis grants for households in emergency situations.
2. CARES (Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services): This program offers financial assistance to low-income customers who are experiencing a temporary hardship that makes it difficult to pay their energy bills.
3. Customer Assistance Program (CAP): This program offers payment assistance and a monthly payment plan for customers who are behind on their energy bills.
4. Dollar Energy Fund: This program provides grants to eligible low-income customers to help pay their utility bills.
Weatherization Assistance Program: This program offers free weatherization services to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.
Out of all the dynamic changes scenarios in and around the world, one thing is certain the world needs the energy to function. Our dependency on energy is such that all the operations relating to day-to-day life will become haywire in its absence. With time, people have realized the importance of knowledge, technology, economy, and power, all of which are fuelled by the amount of energy produced by wide-ranging sources. To deal with this, Pennsylvania has planned to integrate renewable energy on a large scale, which requires a focus on marketing, policies, and frameworks set by the government. PA Sunshine Program and other energy assistance programs in PA are initiatives that bring the country one step closer.
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