Solarize Delco completes largest project to date as the county takes a fresh approach to sustainability

 Press Release

April 20, 2022

Solarize Delco joined with the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) today to announce a new Solar Savings Grant Program to make the savings of rooftop solar power installations available to low-income homeowners, in celebration of Earth Day 2022.  Solarize Delco’s volunteers will provide homeowners with no pressure information and help them decide if solar is right for them.  CAADC will provide eligibility screening for the Grant Program, as it does for its current Free Home Weatherization Program. Homeowners can contact either Solarize Delco (www.solarizedelco.org)  or CAADC (www.caadc.org) to find out if they can participate in Delaware County’s transition to clean energy and lower their energy bills.

Those who can pay or borrow the project cost already know that home Solar power provides excellent financial payback.  Solarize Delco provides a simpler approach that improves the financial returns and removes the worry of contracting for this home improvement for everyone, but income limited homeowners who may have poor credit scores may access these savings.  Solarize Delco is making this option more affordable, both to scale up this important climate action solution and to ensure that the transition to clean energy is equitable and inclusive.

The Solar Savings Grant Program demonstrates that residents from every neighborhood in Delaware County can participate in the transition to clean energy. Participants can power their home with sunshine, nature’s clean, renewable energy, while also saving significant money on their family’s electric bills. 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. Solarize Delco is offering a $5,000 grant while funds last, to low income households that own the property. Income guidelines* are based by family size and verified by CAADC: 1:$27,180, 2:$36,629, 3:$46,060, 4:$55,500, 5:$64,940, 6:$74,380 * Income guidelines are subject to change by the Federal Government.

Solarize Delco (www.solarizedelco.org), an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, is neighbors helping neighbors learn if solar is right for them.  All Delaware County homeowners, businesses and non-profits can receive our help. Since the program launched in 2019, over 200 homeowners have learned about solar through the program, over 40 homes and houses of worship have gone solar, and over 280 kW of power generating capacity has been installed.

Community Action Agency of Delaware County (www.caadc.org) is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that has been serving the economically disadvantaged residents of Delaware County social services, energy services and employment training for over forty (40) years – including free energy audit, weatherization and fuel assistance.

Get more information on how to go solar the easy way, view educational videos or sign up for a consultation with your solarized neighbors at https://solarizedelco.org/ or email us at SolarizeDelco@gmail.com.

2022 is the last year to take advantage of the 26% federal tax credit! Next year in 2023, the tax credit rate drops to 22% and the final year for residents to apply. In 2024 there is only a 10% rebate available ONLY to businesses. Solarize Delco can help assist non qualifying groups, such as houses of worship, non profits or even municipalities, on how to fund  a solar project. Solar PV costs have decreased in the past decade but due to rising material cost, shipping delays and oversea taxes we have seen an increase in solar PVC. Don’t wait any longer; the time to act is NOW! Send us an email today to lock in our low prenegotiated rates with one of our two prevented installers for this years program.

Our window for installations in 2021 has closed due to the high demand for solar. We hope you are still interested in Solar for 2022 installation. Solarize DelCo will continue to offer unbiased information, initial assessments and access to a qualified installation at a discount.  To start the process for 2022 and qualify for a 26% tax rebate for the next tax year, please either contact us for a telephone discussion appointment or enter your email to receive our survey for assessment.

100% of your tax deductable contribution to Solarize Delco will be used to
provide Solar Affordability Grants to help income qualified home owners go
solar and get the same long term reduced power costs that other home owners
have been getting by installing Solar PV.  Our 100% volunteer team means all
of your contribution will be translated into grant dollars for low income
home owners.

Help your neighbors fight climate change! If you have a solar home, electric vehicle or buy renewable power in Delaware County (PA), you can get a motivational lawn sign to help move the needle in your community. We are hoping to get folks throughout the region to display a sign, especially those on a high visibility street. Send an e-mail to havswitch@gmail.com with name, address and phone number and the subject: I want a {Solar, EV and/or Buying Renewable Power} lawn sign and tell us which sign.