Pennsylvania ranks 21st in the nation for installed solar capacity, with 3,198 MWdc of solar online, enough to power 399,449 homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA, June 2026).
NEDES designs and installs solar panel systems for homeowners and businesses across the Commonwealth. The team manages every stage: system design, permitting, installation, inspection, and utility interconnection.
Why NEDES In Pennsylvania
NEDES files interconnection applications directly with PECO, PPL Electric, Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power, and maintains working relationships with the building and electrical inspectors in the counties and cities it serves most. That familiarity shortens the back-and-forth on plan corrections.
Pennsylvania solar requires a municipal building permit, an electrical permit, and a utility interconnection application before a system can be switched on. NEDES prepares and files all three in Pennsylvania, using the plan set your Authority Having Jurisdiction requires under the 2020 National Electrical Code
Every NEDES crew lead working in Pennsylvania holds a NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) certification, and system designs are reviewed by a NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS). North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is the certification most utilities and inspectors in the state recognize as the industry standard
NEDES partners with Align Solar Protection to back Pennsylvania installations with lifetime coverage on panels, inverters, racking, and roof penetrations, beyond the standard manufacturer warranty. That carve-out is the legislative mechanism that
Is Solar Worth It In Pennsylvania
Peak sun hours vary by region: 4.0 to 4.5 hours a day in the Philadelphia and southeast corridor, 4.2 to 4.7 hours in central Pennsylvania, and 3.8 to 4.2 hours around Pittsburgh and the northwest. A correctly sized system in any of the three regions still covers a large share of a typical household’s annual electricity use
PECO, PPL Electric, Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power all credit exported solar power at the full retail rate under Pennsylvania’s 1:1 net metering rule for systems up to 50 kW. Where that retail rate lands matters. So, two identical systems in different territories can post different payback periods.
Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS), in place since 2004, currently requires roughly 18.29% of electricity sold by the state’s utilities and suppliers to come from qualifying alternative sources, with a dedicated 0.5% solar photovoltaic carve-out. That carve-out is the legislative mechanism that created Pennsylvania’s SREC market.
Design, permitting, and installation of rooftop solar systems sized to a home's usage history, verified against twelve months of PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light, or other utility billing data.
Learn More
Rooftop and ground-mount systems for warehouses, retail buildings, and office properties, including MACRS depreciation guidance and Section 48E commercial tax-credit support during quoting.
Learn More
Battery storage added to new or existing solar systems, sized to cover essential circuits during a PJM-region grid outage.
Learn More
Certified installation of Tesla Powerwall battery systems, including automatic switchover during a utility outage.
Learn More
Electrical panel upgrades and Level 2 EV charger installation for homeowners adding vehicle charging alongside a solar system.
Learn More
Safe removal of existing panels ahead of roof replacement or repair, with reinstallation once roofing work is complete.
Learn MoreCompare Your Backup Power Options
| Factors | Solar + Battery | Standby Generator | Grid-Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly electric bill | Reduced through net metering | Unchanged, plus fuel cost | Rises with PTC resets every 6 months |
| Power during an outage | Yes, automatic switchover | Yes, needs fuel and manual startup | None |
| Ongoing costs | None after installation | Fuel, oil changes, servicing | Rate increases over time |
| Noise | Silent | Loud while running | None |
| Daily energy source | Stores solar power for after dark | Grid electricity only | Grid electricity only |
| Maintenance | Occasional panel cleaning only | Oil changes, fuel storage, annual service | None (utility-side) |
Solar Panel Installation Cost | NEDES Database
Pennsylvania solar is quoted on a per-watt basis. As of 2026, installed cost before incentives runs about $2.90 per watt.
8–10 kW
$23,200–$29,000
$250–$480/year
$90–$130
$32,690–$44,260
11–15 years
$16,000–$26,000
$13,500–$17,000
Incentives For Solar Installation In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's SREC market, formally called Solar Alternative Energy Credits, pays system owners for every megawatt-hour their system produces: 1 SREC = 1 MWh = 1,000 kWh. As of 2026, PA SRECs have traded between roughly $25 and $40 per credit, working out to about $250 to $480 in additional annual income for a typical 8 to 10 kW residential system.
Pennsylvania exempts solar energy equipment from the state's 6% sales and use tax, which lowers the equipment portion of an installed quote. Pennsylvania does not offer a statewide property tax exemption for the added home value from solar, unlike Virginia.
Net metering is not a cash rebate. It credits exported solar power against a customer's own future usage at the retail rate, with monthly credits rolling forward and any leftover surplus cashed out at the lower Price to Compare rate each May 31. Sizing a system to roughly 100–110% of annual usage.
A note on eligibility: NEDES does not guarantee eligibility for any specific incentive, credit, or SREC price, since program rules and market prices change. We recommend confirming current eligibility with a licensed tax professional before finalizing a purchase decision.
Financing For Solar Installation In Pennsylvania
| Factors | Cash Purchase | Solar Loan | Lease/PPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Full system cost | $0 down available | $0 down |
| System ownership | Customer owns immediately | Customer owns; loan attached | Third party owns the system |
| Who receives incentives (SRECs, 48E credit) | Customer | Customer | Leasing company (may pass through savings) |
| Maintenance responsibility | Customer, under manufacturer/Align warranty | Customer, under manufacturer/Align warranty | Leasing company |
| Typical term length | N/A | 10–20 years | 20–25 years |
| Long-term savings | Highest; full ownership of all savings and credits | High; savings minus loan interest | Lower; payments continue for contract term |
Our Specialized Process
Roof condition, orientation, shading, and twelve months of power-bill history get reviewed using satellite and on-site data.
A NABCEP PV Design Specialist sizes the array and inverter to match actual household or business usage in your utility territory.
Building permits, electrical permits, and utility interconnection applications get filed with the relevant Pennsylvania municipality and utility.
A full estimate covering system size, equipment, permitting, and incentive assumptions, itemized rather than bundled into one number.
Building permits, electrical permits, and utility interconnection applications get filed with the relevant Pennsylvania municipality and utility.
A licensed crew completes a standard residential array in one to three days; larger commercial systems take longer depending on scope.
The local AHJ and utility inspect the system before issuing permission to operate. Once granted, the system goes live with monitoring active.
First, we analyze the roof, your power bill, and your energy needs.
Then, we size the system based on your usage, roof, and local sun exposure.
Next, you get a quote with a full estimate, system size, and incentive savings.
After approval, we file building permits, electrical permits, and interconnection applications.
Next, you get a quote with a full estimate, system size, and incentive savings.
Most homes are done in 1–3 days; larger commercial jobs take longer, depending on size.
After local inspection sign-off, the utility issues PTO, and your system goes live.
NEDES Coverage
NEDES serves homeowners and businesses across southeastern, central, and western Pennsylvania from its regional service base, covering the PECO, PPL Electric, Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power territories. Each city and county page includes local pricing context, permitting details, and utility-specific net metering rules.
Our Testimonials
Every NEDES Pennsylvania review below is paired with the system’s actual production estimate and install size, not just a star rating.
Book Your Free Consultation Session
3 simple steps, and here you go.
Call or submit the online form with your location so NEDES can confirm coverage for your Pennsylvania county or city.
Average monthly kWh usage from your PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light, or other utility bill is what determines system size.
What permits are required to install solar in Pennsylvania?
A municipal building permit, an electrical permit, and a utility interconnection application are required statewide. NEDES prepares and files all three on the customer’s behalf in Pennsylvania.
Do you need a hot, sunny climate for solar to work in Pennsylvania?
No. Panels generate power from daylight, not heat, and Pennsylvania’s 3.8–4.7 peak sun hours a day are enough for a correctly sized system to offset most of a home’s usage.
Can I get a new roof and solar installed at the same time?
Yes. NEDES can coordinate roof replacement ahead of a solar install, or handle panel removal and reinstallation if the roof needs work after a system is already in place.
What is the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, and how does it affect me?
It’s the 2004 state law requiring roughly 18.29% of Pennsylvania electricity sales to come from alternative sources, with a 0.5% solar carve-out. That carve-out is what created the SREC market that pays Pennsylvania solar owners for their production.
NEDES has 20+ years of experience, certified installers, and Tesla Powerwall systems, with coverage across all counties throughout Virginia. Find your county above or contact us now for your free quote, call or fill out our online form!
