Mid-Atllantic Consumer's Guide to Buying a Solar Electric System

Are you thinking about buying a PV system for your home or business? If so, this booklet will provide basic information that you need to know. Consumers in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, and New Jersey are showing increased interest in solar electric systems for their homes and businesses. Photovoltaic (PV) systems are reliable, pollution free, and use a renewable source of energy-the sun. Although they are still expensive, they are becoming more affordable all the time.Aside from the excellent technological advances and cost reductions in PV technology, several state and federal PV programs and incentives are available to Mid-Atlantic region customers that are making PV systems more economical than ever before. For example, several state government offices offer financial assistance in the form of grants and tax credits to prospective PV customers.The availability of net metering across the region is also providing an environment more conducive to the provision of cost-effective PV and renewable energy development. Net metering means that when your PV system generates more power than you need, the meter runs backwards, resulting in an even swap for the grid power that you use at other times. In essence, you receive full retail value for all the power that your PV system generates.This booklet is designed to guide you through the process of buying a solar electric system. A word of caution: this is not a technical guide for designing or installing your system; for that information, we recommend that you consult an experienced PV system designer or system supplier ("PV provider") who will have detailed technical specifications and other necessary information. A PV system can be a substantial investment, and as with any investment, careful planning will help ensure that you make the right decisions.These materials also provide information on PV programs, incentives, and policies for the states across the region. As the guide evolves, updated and more detailed information on state PV programs and policies will be provided.