45 Southeastern PA Communities Take Advantage Of Solar Tax Credits

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — A regional organization is calling on municipalities, businesses,
faith-based organizations, charitable groups, and schools to take advantage of federal tax credits for solar installations before they expire.

Nearly four dozen municipalities throughout southeastern Pennsylvania have already committed to powering their facilities and vehicles with renewable energy, including five municipalities in Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester counties that have installed solar panels and arrays, and have dramatically cut their energy costs.

In its fourth year of solar power use, West Rockhill Township has offset the $16,000 annually in taxpayer expenses associated with the 84 megawatts used to power municipal operations, including local government buildings, parks, traffic infrastructure, and water wells.

In addition, the 16.3-square-mile Bucks County municipality has reduced carbon emissions by 644,814 pounds, according to a 2025 presentation.

Bill Sabey, a volunteer with Community Advocates and Ready for 100 – Montgomery County,
encourages municipalities to make the switch to solar power – and take advantage of federal tax credits in the process. To qualify for the 30 percent federal tax credit, entities, including nonprofits, schools, faith-based groups, and commercial businesses, must start installation by July 4, 2026, or finish by the end of 2027.

“By installing solar power systems and transitioning to clean energy, municipalities can significantly
reduce carbon emissions, enhance public health by mitigating air pollution, set an example for the
community, and save substantial amounts of money over time through lower energy costs,” Sabey said.

“The move to solar energy is not only a financial decision, but also a public health, public safety, and
environmental strategy. Moreover, it positions municipalities as leaders in sustainability, benefiting from the numerous financial, social, and environmental rewards that come with a greener energy future.”

Community Advocates works with towns to set goals of transitioning to 100 percent clean
renewable electricity by 2035. To date, 45 municipalities have adopted similar clean energy resolutions, which also includes reaching clean energy for heat and transportation by 2050 community-wide and developing a plan to get there.

With solar installation incentives soon set to expire, Sabey hopes more communities get on board.

Doylestown Borough, earlier this year, finished a solar installation on its administration building roof and a section of its police station. The municipality received a one-time federal credit of $114,318, PECO rebates, and other solar incentives. Borough Manager John Davis said solar will save the borough more than one-third of its energy costs.

Horsham Township announced in 2023 that the governing body had approved a solar project that would equip key buildings, including the municipal building, police station, community center, and public works building, with solar panels.

“Solar energy is a clean and renewable resource that will lower the township’s energy costs and help
mitigate the environmental impacts associated with traditional energy sources,” according to Horsham’s 2023 State of Horsham report.

To learn more about solar power installation funding help, grants and federal tax credits, click here.