Pennsylvania solar rebates and incentives: 2026 guide
The average Pennsylvania solar shopper will save big with local incentives.
Updated Jan 6, 2026
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Solar panels might seem expensive, but if you live in Pennsylvania, you're in luck. Your state offers some of the most generous solar incentives in the country, helping thousands of homeowners shrink their upfront costs while locking in decades of lower electricity bills. There are multiple ways to bring down the price of going solar—and start saving sooner than you might think.
Even better? The long-term savings from reduced electricity costs typically outweigh your upfront investment. Here's how to take advantage of Pennsylvania's solar incentives.
Incentives help bring solar's price tag down considerably in Pennsylvania. Here are the major ones to know about:
| Incentive | Average savings in Pennsylvania | Description |
|---|---|---|
Solar Alternative Energy Credits, also known as solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) | $300-$400 | Allows you to generate and sell SRECs to utilities |
High Performance Building Program (HPB) | $1,479 (for grants) | Provides loans and grants for the construction or renovation of high-performance building projects. You can receive grants for 10% of project costs or $500,000, whichever is less. |
If you connect your solar panel system to the grid, you can benefit from net metering, one of the best solar panel incentives available in Pennsylvania. With net metering, you earn credits when you send excess electricity from your solar panels to the grid. When the sun isn't shining and you need to pull electricity from the grid, your utility will apply the credits to your bill. Net metering makes it so you will owe very little, or even nothing, on your electric bills with solar panels.
Under Pennsylvania’s net metering program, you’ll earn credits at the retail rate of electricity for each kWh of electricity your system produces up to 100% of your annual utility electricity demand. If you send more electricity to the grid than you demand over the course of a year, you’ll be credited based on the “price-to-compare,” which represents the generation and transmission components of the utility’s retail rate but does not account for distribution.
Learn more about these net metering programs:
Pennsylvania doesn't offer any state-specific battery incentives. In Pennsylvania, batteries can also boost energy independence and provide backup power during an outage.
If you're looking for solar installers in Pennsylvania, here are some popular suggestions:
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Is solar worth it in Pennsylvania?
Solar panels are often worth it in Pennsylvania due to the state's sunny skies. If you pay for your system with cash, you'll save about $66,031 over 25 years (the warranty term of most solar panels) on electricity costs with a 12.79 kW system in Pennsylvania based on real solar quote data from our Marketplace.
Can you get solar panels for free in Pennsylvania?
Unfortunately, you can't get free solar panels in Pennsylvania, though incentives can dramatically lower the price you pay. But, if you sign a solar lease or PPA, you can go solar with no upfront payment and start saving right away—you just won’t officially own your system, which will limit your access to any available incentives.
How much does it cost to install solar in Pennsylvania?
As of January 2026, the average solar panel cost in Pennsylvania is $2.64. If you install a 12.79 kW system it will cost you between $28,760 to $38,910, with an average cost of $33,835.
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