Pennsylvania Solar Guide 2026
Everything Pennsylvania homeowners need to know: costs, incentives, net metering policy, and what makes this state unique for solar.
Quick answer
Pennsylvania solar economics depend mainly on 4.2 average peak sun hours, an estimated $3/W installed cost, 15.0¢/kWh electricity, and the state's current net-metering rules.
Reviewed 2026-07-26
- Best for
- Pennsylvania homeowners comparing solar costs, incentives, and payback assumptions.
- Inputs needed
- annual kWh usage, utility rate, installed $/W, net-metering policy
- Formula used
- Typical production = system kW × peak sun hours × 365.
- Source checked
- state incentive data, utility tariff checks, Wattcrunch price benchmarks
Key fact about Pennsylvania solar
Pennsylvania's SREC market adds value above retail net metering. PA-SREC prices fluctuate but can add $20–$40 per 1,000 kWh generated, providing meaningful additional income over 10+ years.
Peak sun hours
4.2
hrs/day avg
Avg electricity rate
15.0¢
per kWh
Median install cost
$3/W
before incentives
Typical payback
10 yrs
8 kW system, avg usage
Typical 8 kW system in Pennsylvania
Annual production
12,264 kWh
Year-1 savings
$1,840
System cost (est.)
$24,000
No federal tax credit — Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
Pennsylvania Net Metering Policy
Full retail net metering
Pennsylvania requires full retail net metering under Act 129. PECO, PPL, and other utilities credit excess at retail. PA has an SREC market (AEPS) that adds significant value.
Pennsylvania Solar Incentives
Available in addition to any utility rebates. Federal 25D credit is $0 for homeowner-owned systems from 2026.
- ✓SREC market (PA-SREC currently ~$20–$40/SREC)
- ✓Property tax exemption (some municipalities)
- ✓Sustainable Energy Fund loans
Top Utilities in Pennsylvania
Interconnection timeline: 5–10 weeks
State-specific decision guide
What to verify before signing a Pennsylvania solar quote
In Pennsylvania, the financial result depends on more than sunshine or the headline installation price. Confirm the export rule, program eligibility date, and interconnection timeline for your exact utility before treating a payback estimate as a promise.
Export value
This page models full retail net metering. Ask which tariff and export credit apply to your account, not only which program name appears in the proposal.
Incentive eligibility
Check equipment, income, installer, application, and placed-in-service rules before subtracting an incentive from the quote. Programs can close or change terms.
Interconnection
Budget for the published 5–10 weeks and confirm who pays for a required meter, service upgrade, or engineering review.
Source trail: production assumptions use NREL PVWatts; incentive discovery should be checked against DSIRE; electricity-market context is available from the EIA. Confirm final tax treatment with the IRS and your utility.
Calculate your Pennsylvania solar economics
Our calculators are pre-filled with Pennsylvania data. Run any tool below.