Commercial Solar Installer PECO Region: Why TerraSol Leads the Market
TerraSol Energies is the top commercial solar installer in the PECO region, having installed 1 in every 5 kW of industrial and commercial solar projects completed since the launch of PECO's production grant program.
The company, a PECO Trade Partner Ally, designs and builds solar systems for businesses across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, and was the first installer to bring a solar-plus-storage project online in the PECO region under the program.
This guide covers what that track record means for a business considering solar, how a commercial solar installation differs from a residential project, what incentives are available through PECO and the federal government, and what to check before you hire a commercial solar installer.
TL;DR
TerraSol Energies has installed 1 in every 5 kW of commercial and industrial solar built under PECO's production grant, making it the top commercial solar installer in the PECO region.
The company designs and builds systems for businesses across PA, NJ, and DE, holds NABCEP-certified expertise, handles PECO interconnection and permitting directly, and helped a Pennsylvania business become the first solar-plus-storage project in the region.
Businesses get net metering at full retail rate, PA SRECs, and the federal commercial Investment Tax Credit (active through 2027) to bring down system cost.
TerraSol Energies Is the Leading Commercial Solar Installer in the PECO Region
PECO's production grant rewards businesses that generate their own power through solar. Since the grant launched, TerraSol has installed roughly 20% of the commercial and industrial solar capacity built under the program in PECO's service territory, which covers Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs.
That market share reflects work across a portfolio of commercial solar projects spanning retail, educational, and industrial properties, from under a hundred panel units on small commercial buildings to thousand-panel arrays on industrial rooftops.
TerraSol's commercial work includes the first solar-plus-storage project built in the PECO region under the production grant, and a battery storage installation at Sycamore International, a Pennsylvania technology recycling company, where a 110kW roof-mounted array was paired with a 75kW/400kWh flow battery.
TerraSol is a family-owned company founded in 2009 and has also completed an off-grid solar and battery project for a residential client, work that draws on the same engineering team used on commercial sites.
The company's service area covers PA, NJ, and DE, including Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, Chester County, and Delaware County. Businesses outside PECO's direct territory but inside the broader PA solar market also work with TerraSol, since Pennsylvania ranks among the more active solar states in the Mid-Atlantic for commercial installation volume.
See how TerraSol's commercial projects compare to your building. Request a roof and energy assessment.
Why Commercial Solar Installation Is Different From a Residential System
A commercial solar installation requires different and more complex engineering than a residential project. Industrial and commercial roofs vary widely in age, slope, and structural design, and a reputable installer evaluates the roof's age and weight load capacity before any panels go on the building.
This step determines whether the roof can support the system as designed or whether reinforcement or a different mounting approach is needed.
Most commercial installations use high-efficiency panels to maximize output on compact roof areas, since industrial buildings don't always have unlimited roof space relative to their energy needs. The panels produce power throughout the day and feed it into the building's electrical system, offsetting what the business would otherwise pay the utility.
Installation timelines vary by project size. Smaller commercial systems can be installed in 1 to 3 days, similar to a residential project, while larger industrial rooftops and multi-building campus installations take longer due to the scale of the electrical work and the number of inspections required.
As a reputable installer, we also offer ongoing monitoring and maintenance after the system is operating, so the business owner has visibility into how much the system is generating and can flag any drop in output early.
Roof-Mounted and Ground-Mounted Solar Systems for Pennsylvania Businesses
Solar panels can be roof-mounted or ground-mounted, and the right choice depends on the property. Roof-mounted systems use existing building space and are typically the lower-cost option.
Ground-mounted systems generally cost more than roof-mounted systems because they require their own racking, foundation work, and sometimes land clearing, but they can be a better fit for a business with available land and a roof that isn't suited to solar, whether due to age, shading, or limited weight load capacity.
Some businesses also explore leasing land for a ground-mounted array, either their own underused property or a nearby parcel, as an alternative to a rooftop installation. Our assessment looks at both the roof and any available land before recommending a system design.
Solar systems are designed to last 25 years or more, and many systems continue producing power for up to 30 years with normal upkeep.
That lifespan is part of the return-on-investment calculation: the system needs to generate enough savings over its operating life to justify the upfront cost, and a longer-lasting system extends the years of savings after the payback period.
Request a custom solar proposal from our team right now.
PECO Net Metering, SRECs, and Other Solar Incentives in Pennsylvania
PECO offers net metering at the full retail rate, which means a business earns a bill credit for every kilowatt hour its system sends back to the grid, valued at the same rate the business pays for power it draws from the grid.
If a system owner generates more electricity than the property uses in a given billing period, the excess credits roll over to the next billing period rather than expiring. (PECO's net metering policy has the current terms.) This is more favorable than some neighboring utilities; Duquesne Light, for example, caps how much excess generation it will purchase, while PECO does not.
Pennsylvania businesses that generate solar power can also sell PA SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates), a separate revenue stream tied to the electricity the system produces rather than what the business uses.
On the federal side, the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for commercial solar currently covers a share of system cost for projects placed in service through 2027, subject to labor and domestic content requirements set by the U.S. Treasury.
A reputable installer should explain and help leverage this credit as part of the project's financing plan; current eligibility details are published by the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Office.
Businesses financing a project, whether through a loan or a cash purchase, should ask their installer for a detailed ROI and savings analysis before signing a contract.
That analysis should account for the overall cost of the system, expected energy production, PECO net metering credits, SREC income, the federal credit, and the utility's current price per kWh, since rising energy costs are part of what makes solar a stronger investment over time.
TerraSol's own analysis of rising electricity costs and ways to cut appliance and building energy usage covers related ground for property owners weighing the numbers.
How to Choose a Commercial Solar Installer in the PECO Region
Choosing a solar installer requires evaluating local expertise and technical certifications, not just price. A few things to check before hiring:
- NABCEP Certification. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification is considered the industry gold standard for solar professionals. NABCEP maintains a public directory of certified installers by state, so a business can confirm a contractor's credentials directly.
- Proven regional experience. A company should have direct experience with PECO's interconnection process specifically, since each utility in Pennsylvania has its own application, fee, and inspection steps. Installers familiar with the municipalities served by PECO can also anticipate local permitting requirements.
- A real roof assessment. A reputable installer performs a thorough roof condition assessment before installation, covering age, structural load, and remaining roof life, so the business isn't installing a 25-year system on a roof that needs replacement in five.
- Warranties. Installers should provide strong, long-term warranties for solar panels and workmanship, not just the manufacturer's standard coverage.
- Post-installation support. Confirm whether the company offers ongoing monitoring and maintenance after the system is operating, and what that includes.
Check your eligibility for commercial solar panel installation.
How Our TerraSol Process
A TerraSol project starts with a consultation that assesses the property's roof, available land, and electricity needs. From there, TerraSol's team designs the system, submits the required paperwork to the township, and handles the interconnection application that must be submitted to PECO for the system to connect to the grid.
As a PECO Trade Partner Ally, TerraSol's project managers are familiar with local permitting and PECO's net-metering program, and coordinate with PECO before the business incurs major construction costs, which reduces the risk of delays mid-project.
Once the utility approves the interconnection agreement, the system passes a final inspection, and the business receives permission to operate (PTO) from PECO. From that point, the system owner begins generating and using their own power, with any excess sent to the grid for credit.
Get Started with TerraSol Energies
TerraSol Energies works with business owners, schools, auto dealerships, and agricultural operations across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware on projects ranging from a single rooftop to multi-building campuses.
Related reading on the site includes how solar power benefits auto dealerships, common solar power myths, and questions agricultural operations ask about solar.
To request a consultation and find out what a system would generate and save on your property, contact TerraSol Energies, the top commercial solar installer in the PECO region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PECO's solar production grant?
PECO's production grant is an incentive program tied to commercial and industrial solar projects in PECO's service territory. TerraSol has installed 1 in every 5 kW of solar capacity built under the program since it launched, the highest share of any installer in the region.
How much does a commercial solar installation cost?
Cost depends on system size, whether the array is roof-mounted or ground-mounted, and the building's electrical setup. Ground-mounted systems generally cost more than roof-mounted systems. An installer should provide a detailed quote that breaks down the upfront cost against expected savings, incentives, and the system's payback period.
How long does a commercial solar system last?
Most systems are designed to last 25 years or more, and many continue operating for up to 30 years with routine maintenance.
What incentives are available for solar in Pennsylvania?
PECO net metering at the full retail rate, PA SRECs, and the federal commercial Investment Tax Credit are the main incentives available to PECO-area businesses. A qualified installer can confirm which incentives a specific project is eligible for.
Is solar a good investment for a Pennsylvania business?
For many properties, yes. The combination of net metering, SREC income, and the federal tax credit lowers the overall cost of a system, and businesses that own their system lock in a portion of their electricity costs for the 25-plus-year life of the panels instead of paying the utility's rate, which tends to rise over time.
