There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
Pennsylvania has had an up-and-down solar incentives picture for over the past decade. The state currently has a strong net metering policy, which is good for you as a prospective solar panel homeowner. That means you get credited at near retail rate electric prices for the solar power you create but can’t use!
Also, if you’re lucky enough to live in Philadelphia, you can access new $200-per-kilowatt home solar rebates. Philly plays host to 10% of the state’s population, so the rebates have a chance to make a real impact in the lives of people who want to go solar.
There is another strong incentive pending in the form of a requirement for utilities to ramp up their harvest of clean energy from sources like your rooftop, which may lead to higher renewable energy certificate (SREC) prices. You can sell those SRECs your panels produce every year, so read on!
Learn what solar incentives are available to Pennsylvania homeowners
See what Pennsylvania solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or Pennsylvania solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Pennsylvania
If you install your photovoltaic system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor, and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 30% = $6,000.
The federal tax credit falls to 26% starting in 2033.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume and make sure you get credit for the surplus.
Since 2008, Pennsylvania law has required all investor-owned utilities to offer net metering to all residential customers with solar power systems up to 50 kW in capacity. If you produce more energy than you consume, the surplus is carried over to your next bill at the full retail rate. Net metering gives Pennsylvanian's the opportunity to save big on their electricity bills!
Aside from the federal solar tax credit, there aren't a ton of solar incentives available in Pennsylvania. And there hasn't been much movement from the state legislature on getting more rebates for needy homeowners. The good news is that solar has fallen an additional 60% (and counting) in price over the last 10 years, so even without cashback from utilities, you can be sure you're getting a sweet deal on your shiny new solar panel system.
In addition to making electricity, your home solar panels generate something called a solar renewable energy certificate, or SREC for short. Utility companies can purchase them from you to claim they are hitting their renewable energy targets. The more certificates utilities acquire, the less risk they have of missing the mark.
Currently, state lawmakers require utilities in Pennsylvania to source 0.5% of their electricity from solar power. Therefore, they are willing to pay a small amount to access your SRECs, so they aren’t hit with fees from the state. SRECs are currently selling for about $45 apiece.
Your solar panel system creates an SREC each time you generate a megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity. An average 6 kW solar system in Pennsylvania makes about 8 MWhs a year, so that’s roughly 8 SRECs. Multiply that by current SREC prices and you can potentially net an extra $360 a year in income. Not a windfall, but still nice.
If you’re lucky enough to live in Philadelphia, you can get a $200 per kW rebate for your home solar system from now until the end of 2024. On an average-sized 6 kW system, you can claim $1,200. However, there are only $500,000 in funds available every year. That means these funds are only going to provide relief to about 500 residences annually.
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Prices based on a 9.2kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
78 solar companies in Pennsylvania provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.92 357 Reviews
Chaitanya, 3 weeks ago
Lumina Solar finished the work on time and took care of everything, these people are really professional in their work. Their response is quick and their customer service is really great.
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Chaitanya, 3 weeks ago
Lumina Solar finished the work on time and took care of everything, these people are really professional in their work. Their response is quick and their customer service is really great.
4.87 517 Reviews
E.R., 6 days ago
Zach was my SEW contact and provided excellent service and responsivity throughout the project. I put in an online inquiry on a Saturday afternoon and he was at my house on Monday for an in person meeting. That kind of personal touch and quickness was how Zach did business throughout the sales process and into after sales and construction. I'd definitely recommend SEW to folks, and Zach was a big part of that.
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E.R., 6 days ago
Zach was my SEW contact and provided excellent service and responsivity throughout the project. I put in an online inquiry on a Saturday afternoon and he was at my house on Monday for an in person meeting. That kind of personal touch and quickness was how Zach did business throughout the sales process and into after sales and construction. I'd definitely recommend SEW to folks, and Zach was a big part of that.
4.87 54 Reviews
River, 1 day ago
My project manager Noah communicated with me very well throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend Apollo Energy to my friends and family.
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River, 1 day ago
My project manager Noah communicated with me very well throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend Apollo Energy to my friends and family.
4.85 71 Reviews
Nick Panaccio, 1 day ago
After contacting nearly a dozen installers, it became pretty obvious that TerraSol was the right company for the job. Rob and Rasha answered all of my questions and concerns throughout the entire process, which couldn't have gone any smoother. I really didn't have to do much of anything, with TerraSol handling everything from their end. From contract signing to PTO, it took under two and a half months to complete. To top it off, they had incredibly competitive pricing on REC Alpha Pure panels, which is what I wanted. The crew that installed the panels was terrific, as well. All of their work looks incredibly clean, which I very much appreciate. I would absolutely recommend TerraSol to anyone looking to go solar.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$25,900 ($5.18 per watt)
Nick Panaccio, 1 day ago
After contacting nearly a dozen installers, it became pretty obvious that TerraSol was the right company for the job. Rob and Rasha answered all of my questions and concerns throughout the entire process, which couldn't have gone any smoother. I really didn't have to do much of anything, with TerraSol handling everything from their end. From contract signing to PTO, it took under two and a half months to complete. To top it off, they had incredibly competitive pricing on REC Alpha Pure panels, which is what I wanted. The crew that installed the panels was terrific, as well. All of their work looks incredibly clean, which I very much appreciate. I would absolutely recommend TerraSol to anyone looking to go solar.
4.84 73 Reviews
Jacob H, 4 weeks ago
Savkat did an excellent and professional job on my home. I researched over 8 different companies in Connecticut and ultimately chose Savkat because they had the most satisfied customers. I worked with Jay Buckland who did a great job explaining solar to me and explaining the process. He answered numerous emails, calls and texts and was always pleasant and helpful. He made my decision simple and walked me through the whole process. Savkat handled the rest and the process was completely seamless. The install was done professionally and Joe B. Was awesome in calming any reservations I had about the installation process. We love our solar system and Savkat is a big reason why. I’d recommend them to anyone without reservation
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Jacob H, 4 weeks ago
Savkat did an excellent and professional job on my home. I researched over 8 different companies in Connecticut and ultimately chose Savkat because they had the most satisfied customers. I worked with Jay Buckland who did a great job explaining solar to me and explaining the process. He answered numerous emails, calls and texts and was always pleasant and helpful. He made my decision simple and walked me through the whole process. Savkat handled the rest and the process was completely seamless. The install was done professionally and Joe B. Was awesome in calming any reservations I had about the installation process. We love our solar system and Savkat is a big reason why. I’d recommend them to anyone without reservation
4.84 114 Reviews
Charles L., over 1 month
I started working with Exact Solar in June 2021. They were consistently responsive and very helpful in all aspects of the design and permitting part of the process. Once the necessary approval and supply issues were taken care of, the installation itself was completed quickly and professionally, with the system going online in December/January. Exact Solar was also very helpful with setting up net metering and SREC accounts. I highly recommend their services!
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Average cost (5kW system)
$12,400 ($2.48 per watt)
Charles L., over 1 month
I started working with Exact Solar in June 2021. They were consistently responsive and very helpful in all aspects of the design and permitting part of the process. Once the necessary approval and supply issues were taken care of, the installation itself was completed quickly and professionally, with the system going online in December/January. Exact Solar was also very helpful with setting up net metering and SREC accounts. I highly recommend their services!
4.84 105 Reviews
Alex, 2 weeks ago
The entire crew at paradise energy made our solar install and setup a breeze. Thanks again for everything!
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Average cost (5kW system)
$16,000 ($3.20 per watt)
Alex, 2 weeks ago
The entire crew at paradise energy made our solar install and setup a breeze. Thanks again for everything!
4.79 84 Reviews
Eric G, 3 weeks ago
I decided to get solar early in 2023. When I signed the contract, there were supply delays with the panel manufacturer, and they gave me a late 2023 (Oct-Nov) timeframe for installation. But they worked with the manufacturer and were able to get them sooner and installed second week of August. I've had them now for 3 months. In August, since it was a partial month, I had a small electric bill. But Sept and October, my net usage was 0, so my bill was $15 (the monthly customer charge). And I banked almost 400 kwh in those 3 months. Overall, I'm happy with my solar. The panels that I chose aren't the cheapest around but they are one of the best on the market. The Evoke team have specific people dedicated to each step, from ordering to permits to install to post-install. And you can get one of the owners (husband/wife) on the phone easily if you have questions, Very easy to work with.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$23,200 ($4.64 per watt)
Eric G, 3 weeks ago
I decided to get solar early in 2023. When I signed the contract, there were supply delays with the panel manufacturer, and they gave me a late 2023 (Oct-Nov) timeframe for installation. But they worked with the manufacturer and were able to get them sooner and installed second week of August. I've had them now for 3 months. In August, since it was a partial month, I had a small electric bill. But Sept and October, my net usage was 0, so my bill was $15 (the monthly customer charge). And I banked almost 400 kwh in those 3 months. Overall, I'm happy with my solar. The panels that I chose aren't the cheapest around but they are one of the best on the market. The Evoke team have specific people dedicated to each step, from ordering to permits to install to post-install. And you can get one of the owners (husband/wife) on the phone easily if you have questions, Very easy to work with.
4.74 538 Reviews
Kath’s house, 2 days ago
I was very happy with the crew and the whole installation of my solar panels. I would recommend Venture to anyone who is thinking of going solar.
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Kath’s house, 2 days ago
I was very happy with the crew and the whole installation of my solar panels. I would recommend Venture to anyone who is thinking of going solar.
4.64 60 Reviews
Jared Fretz, over 1 month
I had a solar project installed in December of 2021. I wanted to wait to see how the system performed before leaving a review. It's now September and I haven't had an electric bill since March. In fact, my energy use has been in the negative. We produce more than we use. I love it! In addition, the monthly loan payment is at or around what my electric bill was. It's a total win. Everyone we had contact with in the company were very friendly, professional and knowledgeable. My wish is that I had done this sooner.
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Jared Fretz, over 1 month
I had a solar project installed in December of 2021. I wanted to wait to see how the system performed before leaving a review. It's now September and I haven't had an electric bill since March. In fact, my energy use has been in the negative. We produce more than we use. I love it! In addition, the monthly loan payment is at or around what my electric bill was. It's a total win. Everyone we had contact with in the company were very friendly, professional and knowledgeable. My wish is that I had done this sooner.