Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Kent, Pennsylvania. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A highly-rated, local Pennsylvania company specializing in turnkey residential and commercial solar installations. They are known for personalized service, in-house expertise, and deep knowledge of state-specific incentives like the PA Sunshine Solar Rebate Program. They handle everything from initial consultation and design to installation, maintenance, and financing.
A premier, employee-owned solar installer with a strong presence across Pennsylvania, including the region surrounding Kent. They are renowned for their high-quality installations, exceptional customer service, and industry-leading warranties. They offer comprehensive energy assessments and are experts in both grid-tied and off-grid battery backup systems.
A regional solar developer with operations in Pennsylvania, known for its strong focus on customer education and a wide array of financing options. They provide a full suite of services from design to maintenance and have strong partnerships with top-tier equipment manufacturers, ensuring high system performance and reliability.
** The home solar market for Kent, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding Elk County region is best characterized as a **developing market served by high-quality regional specialists**. Due to the rural nature of the area, there are no major national installers (e.g., Sunrun, Tesla) with a physical local presence, which shifts the market toward established Pennsylvania-based companies. * **Average Quality & Competition:** The competition is not saturated but is composed of a few highly competent, reputable firms. These companies compete on service quality, warranty strength, and local expertise rather than being the lowest-cost option. The average quality of installation and customer care is generally high because these companies rely on their sterling reputations to secure business across a wide geographic area. * **Typical Pricing:** Pricing is competitive with the national average, typically ranging from **$2.80 to $3.50 per watt** before incentives. For an average 8 kW system, this translates to a gross cost of ~$22,400 - $28,000. The excellent federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), along with Pennsylvania's net metering policies and the potential for local rebates, can reduce the net cost by 30-50%. The providers listed above are all well-versed in these financial incentives.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Kent regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Kent, Pennsylvania.
For a typical 6-8 kW system in Kent, homeowners can expect an average gross cost between $18,000 and $28,000 before incentives. Crucially, Pennsylvania offers strong financial benefits, including the federal solar tax credit (26-30% of system cost) and the state's Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program, which allows you to earn income for the electricity your system generates. Additionally, your local utility, likely PPL Electric Utilities, offers net metering, crediting you for excess power sent back to the grid.
Kent experiences all four seasons, with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Solar panels are efficient in cold, sunny weather and actually produce less in extreme heat. While winter days are shorter and snow cover can temporarily reduce output, panels are installed at an angle to help shed snow, and Pennsylvania receives sufficient annual sunlight to make solar highly viable. The key metric is yearly production, and systems are sized to account for seasonal variations.
Installing solar in Kent requires compliance with local building codes and securing permits from the Borough of Kent. Your chosen installer will typically manage this process, which includes an electrical permit and a building permit to ensure your roof structure can support the system. The final step is an inspection and approval from your local building code official and a "Permission to Operate" from PPL Electric Utilities to connect your system safely to the grid.
Prioritize installers with strong local experience in Bradford County and Pennsylvania-specific licensing (Home Improvement Contractor registration). Ask for references from recent installations in Kent or nearby towns like Towanda to see their work firsthand. Verify they are certified by organizations like NABCEP and ensure they provide detailed proposals that include handling SREC registration, local permitting, and a clear explanation of PPL's net metering process.
No, a key benefit for Pennsylvania homeowners is that a solar panel installation is exempt from state property tax increases. This means the added value to your home from the solar system will not result in higher property tax assessments. This exemption, combined with the SREC income and energy savings, significantly improves the long-term financial return on your investment in Kent.