It’s easier than ever in Delaware County for homeowners to convert to solar energy.

New incentives for low- and moderate-income households offer affordable ways to install rooftop solar panels, save on utility bills and promote clean energy.  

Solarize Delco is a nonprofit volunteer organization that teaches homeowners about solarizing their homes—from making the process affordable to finding contractors.

They’ve launched a partnership with a national solar leasing firm that’s offering a no-money-down solar panel leasing option. The company is set to install over 800 solar operating systems in Philadelphia this year.

The only requirements:  A suitable roof for solar panels and a good utility payment track record.

Homeowners pay nothing for installation, only a monthly leasing rate that is less than what many are paying on their monthly utility bills, according to Peter Puglionesi, one of the founders of Solarize Delco.

“If you’ve got enough sun and a good roof it works out that you can pay less on a monthly basis,” he says.

That makes solar panels accessible to a lot more people in communities like Chester, low- and moderate-income households, or those with poor credit scores.

Solarize Delco hopes that an increase in demand for home solar panels in places like Chester will also bring local jobs.  They are talking now with ECA, Energy Coordinating Agency, to bring a solar panel installation training program to Chester, Puglionesi said.

“What we’d like to do is produce jobs and economic development in Chester as well as installing solar on low-income homes,” he said.

The Solarize Delco Advantage

The volunteers from Solarize Delco want to bring down the barriers that stop people from using solar energy. One way to do that is to help them understand it, evaluate if it is right for them, and provide access to trusted contractors to do the solar panel installations.

They’ve evaluated and vetted a list of contractors who have a good reputation and provide pre-determined below-market pricing.

“We’re trying to be a trusted resource and make it easier for people to make that decision,” Puglionesi said.

Homeowners can pay for, get a loan or lease a system and for those who qualify, there is also a solar savings grant program. The Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. provides eligibility screening for the Grant Program, as it does for its current Free Home Weatherization Program. The solar tax credit just increased to 30% and makes it available to municipalities, houses of worship and non-profits for the first time ever.

Access for Everyone

Solarize Delco believes homeowners from every neighborhood in Delaware County can participate in the clean energy transition.

“It is critical that we support solar adoption in low-income communities and communities of color so that our most vulnerable residents can benefit from the savings, jobs, and resilience that result from installing solar on local rooftops,” states a Solarize Delco release.

Benefits of Solar

Electricity costs can make up a large portion of your monthly expenses. With a solar panel system, you are generating free power. Even if you don’t produce 100 percent of the power you consume, solar will reduce your utility bills.

Studies have also shown that homes with solar energy systems have higher property values and sell more quickly than non-solar homes.

Solar energy is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Buildings generate a third of all carbon emissions in the U.S. 

A typical residential solar panel system will eliminate three to four tons of carbon emission each year, equal to planting 100 trees annually.

Homeowners can get more information and set up an appointment with Solarize Delco’s volunteers who provide no-pressure information and review purchase, loan, grant and leasing options to help them decide if solar is right for them.

Find out more and click here for an appointment.

 About Solarize Delco

Solarize Delco is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. It is neighbors helping neighbors learn if solar is right for them.

Solarize Delco was started by Havertown residents Melisa Romano, Peter Puglionesi, and Noel Smyth, who are appointed members of the Haverford Township Environmental Advisory Committee.

These volunteers not only keep Solarize Delco going but are also users of solar/renewable energy and electric vehicles, with a passion to conserve resources and educate others.  

Since Solarize Delco launched in 2019, over 300 homeowners have learned about solar.

Solarize Delco is set to have helped over 50 homes and houses of worship go solar, and over 500 kW of power generating capacity through the end of this year.

Its largest project to date is a solar panel installation at Temple Lutheran Church in Haverford Township.

Click to get more information on how to go solar the easy way, view educational videos or sign up for a consultation with your solarized neighbors.

You can also email at SolarizeDelco@gmail.com.

The Haverford Environment Advisory Committee feature a video on the basics of solarizing your home.