Solar Calculators for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Free tools with illustrative Philadelphia planning inputs. Replace energy rates and installation costs with your bill and written quote.

Quick answer

Start with your exact utility account and roof design. The 4.1 sun hours and 14.0 cents/kWh below are planning assumptions, not verified current rates for Philadelphia. Confirm PECO eligibility and export settlement.

Notes updated 2026-07-26

Best for: Philadelphia homeowners comparing a proposal or estimating savings before calling installers.
Inputs needed: 12-month kWh usage, roof shade, PECO, quoted $/W
Formula used: Local production = system kW × local peak sun hours × 365, then adjusted for losses.
Method references: NREL PVWatts, PECO, Pennsylvania incentive rules

Peak sun hours

4.1

hrs/day planning assumption

Illustrative energy rate

14.0¢

per kWh (PECO)

Typical install cost

$2.95/W

planning assumption, not a market median

Net metering policy: Full retail net metering ✓

What Philadelphia homeowners should check

Philadelphia rowhouses often have narrow flat roofs with parapets, vents, neighboring shade, and limited access. A useful proposal should show the actual fire setbacks, attachment method, roof condition, and expected shading losses.

PECO manages most local interconnections. Homeowners should confirm the proposed meter work, application responsibility, and Pennsylvania credit assumptions before comparing net costs.

At the state level, Pennsylvania currently uses full retail net metering. A typical interconnection takes 5–10 weeks, but utility review and local permitting can extend that range. Check current rules before relying on a proposal's export-credit or installation-date assumptions.

What should I verify before signing a solar contract in Philadelphia?

Confirm that the quote names your actual utility, uses a recent electricity rate, includes measured shade and roof-condition findings, and explains who handles permits and interconnection. Ask the installer to separate guaranteed equipment and workmanship terms from estimated production, incentives, and savings.

Illustrative 8 kW system in Philadelphia

Annual production

10,286 kWh

Retail-value ceiling

$1,440

System cost (est.)

$23,600

Energy-only cost/value ratio

~16 yrs

Illustrative 4.1 peak sun hours, 14.08% production losses, 14.0 cents/kWh and $2.95/W. The retail-value ceiling assumes every kWh earns retail value; lower export credits reduce it. The cost/value ratio is not a full payback model and excludes repairs, financing and rate changes. No new Section 25D homeowner credit in 2026.