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.
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 9.2kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
77 solar companies in Pennsylvania provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.92 388 Reviews
Jonathan Camaioni, 2 days ago
“I highly recommend Lumina Solar. Our sales person Peter was very knowledgeable and very professional in updating us on the project status from start to finish. Peter was always available via text/phone to answer any questions at any time throughout the process. Lumina Solar installers were very professional and meticulous in the project installation. The day of installation was extremely frigid and windy but the installers took their time to make sure the job was done neatly and 100% to our standards. Their customer service and support is excellent. We were hesitant at first about whether solar was right for us, but the experience was fantastic and definitely the right move. I would highly recommend Lumina Solar to those who may be skeptical or those who just need the best in solar out there.”
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Jonathan Camaioni, 2 days ago
“I highly recommend Lumina Solar. Our sales person Peter was very knowledgeable and very professional in updating us on the project status from start to finish. Peter was always available via text/phone to answer any questions at any time throughout the process. Lumina Solar installers were very professional and meticulous in the project installation. The day of installation was extremely frigid and windy but the installers took their time to make sure the job was done neatly and 100% to our standards. Their customer service and support is excellent. We were hesitant at first about whether solar was right for us, but the experience was fantastic and definitely the right move. I would highly recommend Lumina Solar to those who may be skeptical or those who just need the best in solar out there.”
4.86 82 Reviews
KRam, over 1 month
Excellent value, communication and workmanship. Can’t speak highly enough of our experience. Rob was very clear in explaining the proposal and, once signed, Rasha was excellent with communicating progress with permit approvals and installation timing. The installation crew was efficient and polite. We were operational 2 months after signing thanks to quick permit approvals.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$25,900 ($5.18 per watt)
KRam, over 1 month
Excellent value, communication and workmanship. Can’t speak highly enough of our experience. Rob was very clear in explaining the proposal and, once signed, Rasha was excellent with communicating progress with permit approvals and installation timing. The installation crew was efficient and polite. We were operational 2 months after signing thanks to quick permit approvals.
4.85 116 Reviews
Dave Robinson, 2 days ago
Outstanding!! A very professional installation from first estimate through to swich on. Excellent communication throughout and explanation of details for the technical and financial aspects. In particular the project manager Michael Oliver, his site crew and office support. A pleasant and educational experience dealing with this company
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Average cost (5kW system)
$16,000 ($3.20 per watt)
Dave Robinson, 2 days ago
Outstanding!! A very professional installation from first estimate through to swich on. Excellent communication throughout and explanation of details for the technical and financial aspects. In particular the project manager Michael Oliver, his site crew and office support. A pleasant and educational experience dealing with this company
4.84 368 Reviews
Mark Lee, 3 days ago
GPE gave us the best offer and really good customer service, with good communication at every step of the process. Highly recommend!
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Mark Lee, 3 days ago
GPE gave us the best offer and really good customer service, with good communication at every step of the process. Highly recommend!
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!
4.83 562 Reviews
New, 2 weeks ago
I am very pleased with the service and professionalism exhibited by all of the people at Solar Energy World. I chose this company over two other bids. One was lower, one was higher. Neither offered one phone number to call, for any reason, during the 30-year warranty. The 4.0kW, Q-Cell panels and number of panels used were a positive middle range with better performance, than the other bids. Although I am waiting for the final inspections and am anxious to see how well this array will provide me with better energy for myself, my neighbors, and our neighborhood.
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New, 2 weeks ago
I am very pleased with the service and professionalism exhibited by all of the people at Solar Energy World. I chose this company over two other bids. One was lower, one was higher. Neither offered one phone number to call, for any reason, during the 30-year warranty. The 4.0kW, Q-Cell panels and number of panels used were a positive middle range with better performance, than the other bids. Although I am waiting for the final inspections and am anxious to see how well this array will provide me with better energy for myself, my neighbors, and our neighborhood.
4.79 80 Reviews
Jerry B., over 1 month
I have yet to have multi-day power outage since installing 2-13.5 kwh SunVault batteries. During winter months I leave fully charged since sun & possible snow cover will impede solar production, so a fail-safe for the long power outage possibility. Now that better weather is here and not worried about freezing pipes, I am running the batteries overnight to power the home. So far, has the SunVault system has been working great with balancing the battery, grid and solar production usage in the home. I use about 50% of the batteries (one battery) each evening and it is typically charged up by 11 am local time, a little later on the cloudy days (yes, arrays still produce). My system is sized enough to power home on all but the darkest days where the battery supplements. If we get multiple days of rain, then I'm back on the grid using some of the credits I have stored at Eversource after the batteries are 100% recharged each day. I have no idea when the SunVault system switches to battery from the grid and vice versa, no issues with any electronics in the home when it does and it works in the "normal" daily living space fantastically. I will update this review if my micro-grid fails during a multi-day grid power outage as it is my expectation the solar array will not be shut down so the house and batteries can use the produced electricity until the grid is repaired. This is the real reason I go the batteries as had a 2018 summer Tropical Storm knock out power for 6-days and it was sunny for 5 of those days but my solar array was useless without a battery system attached. Fingers crossed this works as promoted and promised. The staff was great at every process of the sales, install and post-install support process as there are always questions and weird things with electricity that sometimes needs a call. Thank you, Jordan, my install team and Kim for helping and teaching me about the system. SavKat is a local, family-owned operation that is simply the best, highly recommend talking to them before going too far into your solar planning.
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Jerry B., over 1 month
I have yet to have multi-day power outage since installing 2-13.5 kwh SunVault batteries. During winter months I leave fully charged since sun & possible snow cover will impede solar production, so a fail-safe for the long power outage possibility. Now that better weather is here and not worried about freezing pipes, I am running the batteries overnight to power the home. So far, has the SunVault system has been working great with balancing the battery, grid and solar production usage in the home. I use about 50% of the batteries (one battery) each evening and it is typically charged up by 11 am local time, a little later on the cloudy days (yes, arrays still produce). My system is sized enough to power home on all but the darkest days where the battery supplements. If we get multiple days of rain, then I'm back on the grid using some of the credits I have stored at Eversource after the batteries are 100% recharged each day. I have no idea when the SunVault system switches to battery from the grid and vice versa, no issues with any electronics in the home when it does and it works in the "normal" daily living space fantastically. I will update this review if my micro-grid fails during a multi-day grid power outage as it is my expectation the solar array will not be shut down so the house and batteries can use the produced electricity until the grid is repaired. This is the real reason I go the batteries as had a 2018 summer Tropical Storm knock out power for 6-days and it was sunny for 5 of those days but my solar array was useless without a battery system attached. Fingers crossed this works as promoted and promised. The staff was great at every process of the sales, install and post-install support process as there are always questions and weird things with electricity that sometimes needs a call. Thank you, Jordan, my install team and Kim for helping and teaching me about the system. SavKat is a local, family-owned operation that is simply the best, highly recommend talking to them before going too far into your solar planning.
4.79 84 Reviews
Eric G, over 1 month
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, over 1 month
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.
4.72 596 Reviews
I B., 1 day ago
If you are looking for Solar companies, there are better ones out there. LOOK ELSEWHERE. When we first purchased our home, within a week, a guy knocked on our door, and scheduled an appointment to have Venture come out to speak to us. On the day that they were supposed to come, we had another appointment that ran later than expected. I contacted them to advise them that we may need to reschedule, they were okay with it. I kept them informed. Later, after our first appointment finished, my husband and I talked and decided to postpone this for a later time and date. I called and advised them that we cannot proceed at this moment. They were presistant, and rescheduled the appointment. Again, something came up (It was particularly important) again, we decided to cancel, they would not take "no for an answer" and rescheduled for this 01/03/24. They sent Jose Barcia. This company cannot take "NO" for an answer. He came by, he called to let us know that he was running behind. His appt was for 9 am. He came in, gave us his pitch, and reviewed our electric bill. He advised us that we could potentially save on electricity if we went solar. Eventually, we decided okay, that might not be so bad, and began the process. Jose advised us that it can take a few weeks to get everything together, permits and what have you from our town, and install can take place around March/April. We were fine with that. Since I work from home it would be no bother at all. He ran our credits and decided that we were approved for the loan for solar. A few weeks went by, and I received a call (they should be calling my husband since its name on the solar) then they wanted to tell us that the home you just purchased needs permits for things that were there already when the house was bought and it's our responsibility. If I am being honest, I flipped. I told them "Since you guys can't and won't take no for an answer, then this should all be covered by Venture. It's not fair that when we purchased the house all of this was there, and Venture needs to cover the cost of all the permits that are needed. Venture pushed themselves on us and refused to accept that we can't proceed with this right now." To which Jose advised "I'll see what I can do." Keep in mind they have already come out and inspected our roof and advised that everything was in decent shape. Since then, I've had to reach out to Jose, and if I am being honest there's been no contact from him. When we text or call, he doesn't reply to call us back. Then when you call Venture, there is no response. No one answers. You MUST leave your number for a callback which occurs less than 5 minutes after you leave your number. This is absolutely unacceptable. I would not recommend Venture to ANYONE!
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I B., 1 day ago
If you are looking for Solar companies, there are better ones out there. LOOK ELSEWHERE. When we first purchased our home, within a week, a guy knocked on our door, and scheduled an appointment to have Venture come out to speak to us. On the day that they were supposed to come, we had another appointment that ran later than expected. I contacted them to advise them that we may need to reschedule, they were okay with it. I kept them informed. Later, after our first appointment finished, my husband and I talked and decided to postpone this for a later time and date. I called and advised them that we cannot proceed at this moment. They were presistant, and rescheduled the appointment. Again, something came up (It was particularly important) again, we decided to cancel, they would not take "no for an answer" and rescheduled for this 01/03/24. They sent Jose Barcia. This company cannot take "NO" for an answer. He came by, he called to let us know that he was running behind. His appt was for 9 am. He came in, gave us his pitch, and reviewed our electric bill. He advised us that we could potentially save on electricity if we went solar. Eventually, we decided okay, that might not be so bad, and began the process. Jose advised us that it can take a few weeks to get everything together, permits and what have you from our town, and install can take place around March/April. We were fine with that. Since I work from home it would be no bother at all. He ran our credits and decided that we were approved for the loan for solar. A few weeks went by, and I received a call (they should be calling my husband since its name on the solar) then they wanted to tell us that the home you just purchased needs permits for things that were there already when the house was bought and it's our responsibility. If I am being honest, I flipped. I told them "Since you guys can't and won't take no for an answer, then this should all be covered by Venture. It's not fair that when we purchased the house all of this was there, and Venture needs to cover the cost of all the permits that are needed. Venture pushed themselves on us and refused to accept that we can't proceed with this right now." To which Jose advised "I'll see what I can do." Keep in mind they have already come out and inspected our roof and advised that everything was in decent shape. Since then, I've had to reach out to Jose, and if I am being honest there's been no contact from him. When we text or call, he doesn't reply to call us back. Then when you call Venture, there is no response. No one answers. You MUST leave your number for a callback which occurs less than 5 minutes after you leave your number. This is absolutely unacceptable. I would not recommend Venture to ANYONE!
4.67 49 Reviews
Steve Thorne, 1 week ago
From the initial sales contact to monitoring after completion, the task was completed quickly and professionally. Any questions were answered as soon as I expected. The installers were friendly yet professional and followed up on questions I had. I have experience with installation in another state so I expected some differences in procedures, but Bright Eye exceeded my expectations in every respect. The monitoring of the system used greatly enabled me to use the system effectively to increase efficiency.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$12,000 ($2.40 per watt)
Steve Thorne, 1 week ago
From the initial sales contact to monitoring after completion, the task was completed quickly and professionally. Any questions were answered as soon as I expected. The installers were friendly yet professional and followed up on questions I had. I have experience with installation in another state so I expected some differences in procedures, but Bright Eye exceeded my expectations in every respect. The monitoring of the system used greatly enabled me to use the system effectively to increase efficiency.