PA · Solar

Solar Panel Cost in Pennsylvania (2026)

Compare quotes from vetted Pennsylvania solar installers - average ~$2.85/W before incentives. Free, no obligation, ~2 minutes.

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7.5 kW
Average system size
$2.85/W
Average cost (USD)
9 yrs
Average payback
240+
Local installers

Why solar in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania homeowners are going solar to cut rising PECO and PPL Electric bills, and the state has a distinctive incentive that most others lack: under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) Act, PA solar owners can earn and sell Alternative Energy Credits (AECs) for every 1,000 kWh their system generates, adding ongoing revenue on top of net-metering savings. Pennsylvania also has full retail-rate net metering for customers of the major investor-owned utilities, so exported power offsets your bill at the same rate you pay to buy it. Note that the 30 percent federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so most 2026 homeowner purchases cannot claim it; a lease or PPA may let the provider pass through part of the business credit. We are a matching service: tell us about your home and we connect you with vetted local installers who compete for your project, we do not install ourselves.

Incentives & rebates

Net metering: Net metering at retail rate (AEPS Act, PUC-regulated, investor-owned utilities)

Pennsylvania requires its investor-owned electric distribution companies to offer net metering under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (Act 213 of 2004) and PUC regulations. Excess solar energy your system exports to the grid is credited to your account at the retail rate: the same rate you pay when you draw power from PECO, PPL Electric, Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, Penelec, or West Penn Power. Credits carry forward month to month and are settled annually. On top of net metering, PA's AEPS program lets you earn and sell Alternative Energy Credits for every 1,000 kWh your system generates, providing a second revenue stream. Your installer reviews the current net-metering tariff and AEC program details for your specific utility before quoting.

Related Pennsylvania resources

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How payback works in Pennsylvania

System cost
$21,375
Estimated net cost
$21,375
Estimated payback
~13.2 years
25-year net savings
~$19,125

These figures are illustrative; your actual quote reflects your roof, sun exposure, and local utility rates.

Cities we serve in Pennsylvania

10cities with vetted local solar + battery installers.

Frequently asked questions

How much do solar panels cost in Pennsylvania?
A typical Pennsylvania home solar system runs around $2.85 per watt installed, so a 7.5 kW system costs roughly $21,400 before incentives. Pennsylvania net metering credits exported power at the retail rate, reducing future bills, and the AEPS program lets you earn Alternative Energy Credits (one per 1,000 kWh generated) that you can sell to utilities for additional income. The 30 percent federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so most 2026 homeowner purchases cannot claim it. Your actual quote depends on roof type, shading, utility, and the installer you choose.
What solar incentives are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has two notable ongoing incentives. First, full retail-rate net metering under the AEPS Act means excess generation credited to PECO, PPL Electric, or another major utility offsets your bill at the same rate you pay to buy power. Second, the Pennsylvania AEPS program lets you earn and sell Alternative Energy Credits: one AEC per 1,000 kWh generated, sold to utilities or through an aggregator at market prices, which vary with demand. The 30 percent federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so most 2026 homeowner purchases cannot claim it; if you go solar through a lease or PPA, the provider may still pass through part of the business credit. Confirm what applies with your installer and a tax advisor.
Does Pennsylvania have net metering?
Yes. The Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (Act 213 of 2004) requires Pennsylvania's investor-owned utilities to offer net metering for qualifying solar systems. Excess power your panels send to the grid is credited at the full retail rate and carries forward month to month. PECO, PPL Electric, Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, Penelec, and West Penn Power all operate net-metering tariffs under PUC oversight. Your installer confirms the current tariff terms for your specific utility and address before quoting.
Is solar worth it in Pennsylvania?
For most Pennsylvania homeowners, yes. A combination of retail-rate net metering and the AEPS Alternative Energy Credit program gives PA one of the stronger ongoing-value stories among northern-tier states. PECO and PPL Electric rates have climbed steadily, so locking in solar production hedges that cost for 25-plus years. A 7.5 kW system typically pays back in around 9 years, then continues producing well beyond that. The 30 percent federal residential credit ended after 2025 for purchased systems, but the PA-specific value stack stands on its own. We connect you with vetted installers who model your roof, utility rate, and AEC income potential so you see real numbers before committing.