Unlocking Energy Incentives in Pennsylvania: A Guide for Commercial Property Owners and Managers
As Pennsylvania continues to ramp up its clean energy goals, a growing number of energy efficiency and renewable energy incentives are now available to property managers, housing companies, and business owners. Pennsylvania energy incentives are designed to lower energy costs, reduce emissions, and encourage sustainable development across the state.
However, navigating these programs—and ensuring your building qualifies—can be challenging without the right tools. That’s where accurate Gross Floor Area (GFA) reports come in. GFA data is often required to comply with energy benchmarking regulations and apply for incentives. With the right reporting partner, you can unlock valuable savings and stay one step ahead of regulatory requirements.
As defined by Energy Star Portfolio Manager, The Gross Floor Area (GFA) is the total “property” square footage, and a “property” can be a: Single building, campus of buildings, or part of a building (such as a single tenant space).
Below, we’ll break down the top Pennsylvania energy programs available in 2025 and explain how GFA reports can help you take full advantage.
Alternative and Clean Energy Program (ACE)
Incentive type: Grants and loans
Who it’s for: Businesses, economic development organizations, and government entities
What it covers: High-performance building projects, alternative energy systems
Pennsylvania’s ACE program, administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, provides funding for the development of alternative energy and high-efficiency buildings. Grants can cover up to 10% of project costs for high-performance buildings, while loans may support up to 50% of overall expenses.
High Performance Buildings Incentive Program
Incentive type: Financial assistance for sustainable construction
Who it’s for: Building developers and owners
What it covers: Green building construction or renovation to meet energy-efficient standards
This program incentivizes new construction and major renovations that meet energy and environmental performance benchmarks. It’s ideal for developers looking to align with LEED or other green certifications.
🔗 Learn about high-performance building incentives
PPL Electric Utilities – Business Incentive Program
Incentive type: Rebates based on energy savings
Who it’s for: Non-residential PPL Electric customers
What it covers: Lighting, HVAC, custom projects
PPL Electric offers performance-based rebates of $0.08/kWh saved annually for business customers undertaking energy efficiency improvements. This includes lighting retrofits, HVAC upgrades, and other custom projects.
PECO Commercial Energy Efficiency Program
Incentive type: Rebates for commercial upgrades
Who it’s for: PECO commercial and industrial customers
What it covers: Efficient lighting, motors, HVAC, controls
PECO’s program offers cash rebates to offset the cost of high-efficiency equipment installations, helping reduce upfront costs and improve ROI for building owners and operators.
Solar Energy Incentives & SREC Market
Incentive type: Performance-based credits and financial support
Who it’s for: Solar project developers and building owners
What it covers: On-site solar installations
Pennsylvania’s Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) market allows solar owners to earn income by selling credits based on how much energy their systems produce. There are also direct incentives for installing solar through state-supported programs.
Net Metering in Pennsylvania
Incentive type: Utility bill credits for excess energy
Who it’s for: Property owners with on-site generation
What it covers: Solar, wind, and other eligible renewable systems
Net metering enables building owners to receive bill credits for excess electricity sent back to the grid. This significantly improves the payback period on renewable energy investments.
Act 129 Utility Efficiency Requirements
Incentive type: Utility-administered efficiency programs
Who it’s for: All utility customers in PA
What it covers: Lighting, appliances, insulation, and more
Act 129 mandates that utilities offer energy-saving programs. These range from prescriptive rebates to whole-building retrofit support. Depending on your utility, you may be eligible for cash incentives or technical assistance.
Residential and Commercial Rebates by Utility Providers
Utilities such as Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, and West Penn Power also offer standalone rebates for energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and insulation upgrades. These are accessible to both residential and small business customers.
Building Code Compliance and Benchmarking
Incentive type: Compliance-driven eligibility for other incentives
Who it’s for: New construction and major renovations
What it covers: Mandatory building performance standards
Pennsylvania has adopted building energy codes that establish minimum efficiency standards. Ensuring compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s also a gateway to accessing state and utility incentives.
Why GFA Reports Are the Key to Unlocking Pennsylvania’s Energy Incentives
From energy benchmarking to rebate qualification, accurate building data is essential. One of the most requested pieces of data in state and utility applications is the Gross Floor Area (GFA) of a building.
GFA reports help you:
- Ensure compliance with Pennsylvania energy benchmarking requirements
- Accurately report energy usage for utility incentive applications
- Qualify for performance-based rebates that depend on square footage
- Simplify energy audits and project planning
Ready to Maximize Your Incentives? Let’s Work Together
If you’re managing a property in Pennsylvania and want to take advantage of these incentive programs, don’t let the paperwork or reporting stand in your way.
We specialize in GFA reports that are custom-built for compliance with Pennsylvania’s energy regulations. Whether you’re benchmarking for Act 129, applying for a utility rebate, or pursuing high-performance building incentives, our reports make sure your data is accurate, formatted, and ready to go.
Let us help you unlock the full value of your energy projects.
Reach out today and let’s get started on simplifying your compliance—while maximizing your savings.
