PA Sunshine Solar Program
Contractors: The PA Sunshine Program is, as of August 19, 2011 in the " Waiting List " phase of the program. PA Sunshine rebate reservations will continue to be received. However, a PA Sunshine rebate is not guaranteed. Applications will be received but only assigned if money becomes available through attrition. While in the "Waiting List" phase, applications will be received, reviewed and deemed complete. The installer will have to complete the job within one year without a guarantee of receiving a PA Sunshine grant. Guidelines for applying to the waiting list can be found in Section VIII of the Pa. Sunshine Guidelines for Residential & Small Business solar Program found at the next link.
NOW OPEN: PA Sunshine Residential/Small Business Solar PV Program
Click here for the "PA Sunshine Guidelines for Residential & Small Business Solar Program" (PDF) Please note, consumers do NOT submit the application. Consumers must choose an installer from the approved installer list. Installers will complete and submit the application online. The online PV application is now available; please click here to access the application.
Contractor Notice: The PA Sunshine participating contractor program for "new companies" has closed. The Pa Sunshine participating contractor program is no longer accepting "new company" PV and Solar Hot Water contractor applications. Applications to replace already approved qualified installers, thru attrition, will be accepted and reviewed on a case by case basis.
If you have any questions, please contact RA-eppasunshine@pa.gov
Click here for the "PA Sunshine Program Waiting List Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)".
Click here for American Resource Recovery Act (ARRA) Funding Compliance Form: Contractors please download the ARRA compliance form, complete it, and submit this form with every residential application. Continue the practice of submitting the ARRA compliance form until the Sunshine program ends. Submitting the ARRA form will help expedite payments if additional ARRA funding is transferred to the Sunshine Program
Position on "Double Dipping" of Solar Rebates from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: "The Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) position is that the PA Sunshine rebate may not be combined with other such rebates or subsidies to receive multiple benefits for the same solar project. Projects for which other rebates or subsidies are accepted are not eligible for the PA Sunshine rebate. This policy does not extend to the use of federal tax credits in conjunction with Sunshine rebates, which is encouraged where applicable."
Click here for the list of qualified PV installers (PDF). Applicants must choose an installer from this list.
Click here for the list of qualified thermal installers (PDF). Applicants must choose an installer from this list.
Click here for The Annual Contractor Conference Presentation & Notes (7/7/2011)
Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (RTF).
Click here for the project completion form (PDF).
SHW Annual Meter Reports: As part of the PA Sunshine Annual meter reading requirements for SHW, the form should be submitted in conjunction with either a RETscreen analysis or an F-Chart analysis. Both are software used to "analyze" the contribution/production of the SHW systems. Click this link for a RET Screen software
Click here for the Annual Meter Report form (PDF) or the Annual Meter Report form (Word). Important: The form should be submitted in conjunction with a picture of the meter at the time of the reading.
Contractors; As part of the PA Sunshine Annual meter reading requirements, The following reports contain the one year anniversary date for your specific solar installation. Contractors should review this report to keep informed on the one year anniversary date. The meter reading report should be submitted with a 30 day window of this anniversary date.
Photovoltaic and Solar Hot Water Meter Reading Anniversary Dates as of 12/2/11 (Excel)
Click here for the consumer protection notice.(PDF)
Click here to determine if a low income resident can qualify for additional incentives through the program (Word).
Click here for information on entering Shading Data into Power Clerk.(PDF)
Please note, the incentive amounts offered for both PV and thermal will decline at a pre-established rate as the market grows and develops. Please click here to view the rate schedules (PDF).
The PA Sunshine Program is in it's final stages and any new projects coming in as of 8/19/2011 are being put on a waiting list.
Typical Costs for all Applications Submitted in July 2011:
|
High Cost ($/Watt) |
Median Cost ($/Watt) |
Low Cost ($/Watt) |
Median System Size (kW) |
| Residential |
$10.75 |
$5.32 |
$2.90 |
8.21 |
| Small Business |
$6.92 |
$4.55 |
$2.82 |
22.56 |
What is the Pennsylvania Sunshine Program?
The Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Program will provide $100 million in rebates to help fund solar electric (solar photovoltaic, or PV) and solar hot water (solar thermal) projects for homeowners and small businesses in Pennsylvania. This program is authorized by section 306 of the Alternative Energy Investment Act, Act of July 9, 2008 Spec. Sess., No. 1, (P.L. __, No. 1) (73 P.S. 1649.101 et seq.). Funding may also be provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Pub.L. No. 111-5 (2009).
Program Overview:
Funding will be deployed in the form of rebates for residential and small business projects. Rebates will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis to approved applicants. Households may receive one solar photovoltaic (PV) rebate for up to 10 kilowatts(kW) of installed PV generating capacity plus one solar thermal rebate not to exceed $2,000. A small business may only submit one PV and one solar thermal application at a time and must complete the project and rebate process prior to submitting another application.
Solar Training Courses:
IREC ISPQ Accredited Trainers
All installers applying to participate in the PA Sunshine Program that do not have NABCEP Certification must provide proof of completion of an Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Institute for Sustainable Power Quality (ISPQ) accredited course or a solar manufacturers course. The link above provides a list of groups and instructors that have been approved to offer IREC ISPQ accredited solar training courses.
The links above are organizations that are currently offering IREC ISPQ accredited solar training courses in Pennsylvania. If your organization is offering an IREC ISPQ accredited solar training course in Pennsylvania, but has not been listed above please contact pasunshine@pa.gov.
The PA Sunshine Program is proud to share that Philadelphia-based Infinite Solar Inc. has received IREC ISPQ accrediation for their five-day Entry Level Solar PV Installation and Design Course. This group is the first in Pennsylvania to receive this national accreditation for solar training. For more information about upcoming courses, please visit www.solarschoolpa.com.
The PA Sunshine Program would like to congratulate the Electric Education Center of Bensalem for its recent IREC ISPQ accreditation award for their five-day Solar PV Entry Level Design and Installation Course. For more information about their upcoming courses please visit: http://www.electriceducationcenter.com.
ONTILITY, in partnership with Penn State University offers ISPQ accredited entry level and advanced solar energy training at locations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and at PSU Fayette in Uniontown. In addition, ONTILITY offers wholesale distribution of solar components to its network of more than 500 dealers nationwide. For more information, visit www.ontility.com or call 877-558-7479 and choose option 2.
Solar PV Basics
Photovoltaic Cells
Photovoltaic (PV) cells, or solar cells, convert sunlight directly into electricity. As the sun strikes a PV cell, the semi-conducting materials within the cell absorb the sunlight, producing electricity. Solar cells are often used as simple systems that power small calculators and wristwatches. More complicated systems provide electricity for pumping water, powering communications equipment, lighting homes, and running appliances. A series of solar cells form a PV array or solar panel. Between 10 and 50 solar panels are needed to power an average household. PV panels are installed on buildings in places of maximum sun and minimal shade in order to take full advantage of the sun's power. There is very little maintenance required to sustain solar equipment. Panels that are kept clean, can last 20 to 30 years.
Solar power can be used in a grid-tied system or in a distributed system. A solar grid-tied system links a series of solar panels through a power inverter to the utilities electric grid. The solar panels generate a direct current (DC) by drawing on energy from the sun. The inverter then converts that direct current to an alternating current (AC), which electronic devices and appliances can use. Batteries are not necessary to supplement the system and any excess electricity generated by the solar panels is redirected by the inverter back into the grid where it can be used on other premises.
Distributed systems work independently from a utilities electric grid, using batteries to store the power. Similar to a grid-tied system, distributed solar panels typically use a power inverter to convert the direct current from the sun into an alternating current, to be used on location. However, some systems function without an inverter and run only DC appliances.
Thanks to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard Act of 2004, 18 percent of electricity sold at retail in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2021 will be required to be generated by alternative energy sources.This includes 800 MW from solar energy, known as the "Solar Share". See this Solar Share Fact Sheet (PDF) for more information.
Energy Efficiency First!
The department encourages energy efficiency before investing in solar PV. Energy efficiency is often a no-cost or low-cost way to reduce energy consumption. Energy efficiency will also maximize the benefits of a PV system. Don't know where to start? Please see the departments energy efficiency site above for more information!
Check out these helpful links for more information on PV:
Solar Hot Water Basics
Solar Hot Water Systems
A common use of solar energy in Pennsylvania is to heat water. Thousands of solar water heaters have been installed across the state. Solar water heating systems are an excellent application of solar energy because hot water is needed year round, including the summer when we receive a lot of sunlight.
Water heating is usually the second highest energy need, after space heating, in homes. For a family of four, water heating is approximately one-quarter of the families energy consumption. Numerous conservation measures can be implemented to reduce this cost. Low flow showerheads, temperature reductions, tank and pipe insulation are a few of the cost-effective energy measures that should be implemented prior to considering a solar hot water system.
The concept of heating water with solar energy is very simple. A good example of solar water heating is a garden hose left out in the sun. The hose absorbs the sun's energy, turns it into heat and transfers it to the water. Some solar water heaters are not much more complicated than this simple example.
Solar water heating can be used to produce hot water for a wide variety of uses. Obvious uses include washing, cooking, cleaning, and any other domestic uses of hot water around the home. However, applications are not limited to residential structures. Solar water heating is also common for service hot water in commercial and institutional buildings.
Check out these helpful links for more information on solar hot water:
www.solarschoolpa.com.
