FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Solar panels work by absorbing sunlight with photovoltaic cells, generating direct current (DC) energy and then converting it to usable alternating current (AC) energy with the help of inverter technology. AC energy then flows through the home's electrical panel and is distributed accordingly.

While the winter months provide the fewest amount of hours of sunlight (and thus the lowest amount of potential solar production), it’s important to note that the goal of your solar energy system is to offset your energy usage over an entire year, not any given day, week, or month. In the sunnier summer months, your system can generate more energy than you use, generating electric bill credits. In the cloudier, winter months, your system may generate less energy than you use, and you can use the credits you generated during the summer. And that is why solar is very viable in Pennsylvania — just like it is in Michigan and Ohio, our two other northern markets.

So the good news is that a properly installed photovoltaic system won't damage your roof or void your roof's warranty. In fact, solar panels can make your roof last longer by shielding it from temperature extremes and sun damage. And, if the property has enough acreage, the customer may go with a ground mount.

Net metering is the policy that allows people with solar to get a credit on their electric bill for the energy they produce from their system. Also, Solar renewable energy credits (SRECs), also called alternative energy credits in Pennsylvania, may help customers finance and invest in a solar system. SRECs

A common concern for homeowners who are considering solar is, “What happens if I move after installing solar panels?” A typical solar panel system lasts for 25 to 30 years. If you don’t plan on owning their house for that long, you may wonder if solar still makes sense. The good news is that solar increases the value of your property and can actually expedite the process of selling the property when the time comes. The housing market is filled with buyers excited by the prospect of acquiring a solar home that comes with the benefit of zero utility bills.

In Pennsylvania, net metering rules require electric distribution companies and default service providers to offer net metering to customer-generators that meet program requirements. In practical terms, net metering can credit you for electricity your solar system produces—helping you offset your bill across seasonal swings (when production and usage don’t always line up month-to-month). Pennsylvania also has an Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) framework where energy credits exist as tradable instruments. Pennsylvania defines an Alternative Energy Credit as representing 1 megawatt-hour (1,000 kWh) of generation, and PennAEPS explains that PJM-GATS is the credit registry selected by Pennsylvania to issue AECs, which can be transferred to buyers once issued. These rules and market dynamics change over time, so we treat incentives as part of a project’s design conversation—not a one-size-fits-all promise.

Federal incentives and timelines matter—but they also change. For homeowners, the IRS states the Residential Clean Energy Credit equals 30% for qualifying property installed from 2022 through Dec. 31, 2025, and the credit is not available for property placed in service after Dec. 31, 2025 (with carryforward rules for unused credit amounts based on eligibility). Because tax situations are individualized, we recommend confirming eligibility with a qualified tax professional. For commercial and public-sector projects, the IRS describes the Clean Electricity Investment Credit for qualifying facilities and energy storage placed in service after Dec. 31, 2024, with a base credit and potential increases, and it also notes options like elective payment/transfer may be available to certain tax-exempt and government entities (with pre-filing registration). We coordinate closely with your financial stakeholders so the technical system design supports your procurement and compliance requirements.

Solar is a long-term asset, and performance depends on upkeep. Solar Opportunities offers inspections, troubleshooting, repairs, and professional cleaning—and the company states it can service systems even if it didn’t install them. Whether you need a one-time diagnostic or an ongoing maintenance plan, we help you protect output, reduce downtime, and extend the useful life of your equipment.