Harrisburg, PA Solar Panels
Solar Power in Harrisburg
Harrisburg homeowners are discovering that solar energy offers a smart path to long-term savings, especially as Pennsylvania electricity prices have increased 31% from 2020 to 2024. Understanding how solar panels for your home work in the local climate is the first step toward making an informed decision.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about solar installation in Harrisburg, from costs and incentives to choosing the right system for your home.
PENNSYLVANIA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Harrisburg, PA?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Harrisburg homes—including Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, and Carlisle—to show you accurate solar costs. Get personalized estimates based on what your neighbors actually paid, not industry averages.
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Savings
You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Harrisburg receives 4.6 peak sun hours daily, providing consistent solar energy production throughout the year despite Pennsylvania’s varied seasons.
- Pennsylvania electricity rates increased 29% from 2021 to 2024, making solar panels a smart hedge against rising utility costs.
- A typical Harrisburg solar system saves homeowners around $66,000 over 25 years while reducing carbon emissions equivalent to planting 175 trees.
Harrisburg Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs in Harrisburg helps you make informed decisions about your home’s energy future and long-term budget planning.
Pennsylvania electricity rates jumped from 13.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 17.8 cents in 2024—a 29% increase in just three years that outpaced the national average.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, protecting Harrisburg homeowners from these unpredictable rate increases. Once installed, your system produces power at the same cost for decades.
Over 25 years, this price stability adds up. While utility rates continue climbing, solar homeowners lock in predictable energy costs and redirect savings toward other household priorities.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
Harrisburg Area Utility Providers
Harrisburg residents are served by two primary utility companies: Met-Ed and PPL Electric. According to 2023 data, Met-Ed customers paid 17.2¢ per kWh, while PPL customers paid 19.5¢ per kWh—both above the national average of 16.0¢.
Pennsylvania’s electricity costs reflect the state’s energy infrastructure and regulatory environment. The 2023 state average of 18.1¢ per kWh positions both local utilities near typical Pennsylvania rates, with PPL notably higher than the national benchmark.
These above-average electricity rates mean Harrisburg homeowners pay more over time for grid power. Solar panels generate predictable energy costs, helping you take control of your monthly bills regardless of future utility rate changes in the region.
Harrisburg Utilities Electricity Rates
Pennsylvania Solar Incentives
Pennsylvania offers valuable financial incentives that help Harrisburg homeowners offset solar installation costs. Below, you’ll find details on solar incentives in Pennsylvania available to local residents.
The state’s Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) program allows homeowners to earn money for the clean energy their systems generate. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s net metering policy ensures you receive full retail value for excess electricity your panels produce, providing ongoing savings on your utility bills.
These programs can change as policies evolve. Research current requirements and application deadlines carefully to maximize your benefits and make the most informed decision for your home.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) | State program | Roughly $200-400 per year in savings for a typical PA owner. Earn one SREC per 1,000 kWh generated. Typical home system produces 5-10 SRECs annually. Market prices vary based on supply/demand. | Learn More |
Pennsylvania’s Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program allows homeowners who own solar panels to earn money for the clean electricity they generate. For every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar electricity your system produces, you earn one SREC that can be sold on the open market. An average Pennsylvania home solar system generates about 10 SRECs per year. As of August 2025, each SREC sells for approximately $25-26, which means you could earn around $250-260 annually from this program. These credits help Pennsylvania meet its renewable energy goals while providing you with an additional income stream that improves your solar investment’s return.
To participate, you must own your solar system outright or through financing—leased systems don’t qualify. You’ll need to apply to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Alternative Energy Credit Program and register with the PJM Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS). Once approved, you can sell your SRECs through platforms like SRECTrade. Each SREC has a three-year lifespan, meaning a credit earned in 2025 can be sold anytime through 2027. Palmetto works directly with SRECTrade to help customers manage their SRECs and choose between locking in a fixed rate for 3-5 years or selling at current market prices. Keep in mind that SREC prices fluctuate based on market supply and demand, so actual earnings may vary over time.
Net metering in Pennsylvania allows homeowners with solar panels to receive credit for the excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid. When your solar system produces more energy than your home uses, your electric meter essentially runs backward, and you receive a credit on your utility bill at a 1:1 ratio. This means every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you send to the grid offsets one kWh you would otherwise purchase from your utility company at the full retail rate.
The financial benefit varies by utility company, but all major Pennsylvania utilities offer this program. Any excess credits you accumulate during sunny months can be carried forward month-to-month throughout the year. At the end of the annual cycle (typically in May or June, depending on your utility), any remaining excess credits are “trued-up” and paid out at your utility’s Price to Compare rate, which ranges from approximately 8 to 12 cents per kWh depending on your provider. After this annual reconciliation, your credit balance resets to zero. This program is available to residential solar customers across Pennsylvania’s major utility territories, including PECO, Duquesne Light, West Penn Power, Penn Power, PPL Electric Utilities, Metropolitan Edison, and Pennsylvania Electric Company.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Pennsylvania incentives.
Get a Free QuoteHarrisburg Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Harrisburg experiences four distinct seasons with varying sunlight hours and occasional cloud cover. Despite snowy winters and humid summers, properly designed solar systems consistently generate strong energy production year-round.
Solar Production in Harrisburg by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Harrisburg
We’ve mapped every solar installation across Harrisburg to help you explore the clean energy movement in your community. Click any hexagon to see how many neighbors in that area have already made the switch to solar power.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Harrisburg, homeowners have access to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through major utility providers including PPL Electric Utilities and Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed). With a solar PPA, you pay only for the electricity your panels generate at a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour—typically lower than your utility’s rate—with no upfront costs or maintenance responsibilities.
Unlike purchasing a system outright, a PPA means Palmetto owns and maintains your solar panels while you enjoy immediate savings on your electric bill. There’s no need to worry about repairs, monitoring, or system performance—we handle everything. Your monthly payment fluctuates with seasonal production, but your annual savings remain consistent and predictable.
This approach makes clean energy accessible without the financial commitment of ownership. Learn more about how Palmetto’s LightReach program can help you start saving from day one while supporting Pennsylvania’s clean energy future.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes strong financial sense in Harrisburg. With 4.6 peak sun hours daily and electricity rates at 17.8¢/kWh, a typical system saves homeowners around $66,000 over 25 years with a payback period of about 10 years.
Pennsylvania’s net metering policy and SREC program provide additional value. Your panels produce consistent energy year-round despite seasonal variations, protecting you from rising utility costs while reducing your carbon footprint.
Yes, Harrisburg has net metering through Pennsylvania’s statewide program. When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home uses, the excess energy flows back to the grid and you receive a 1:1 credit on your utility bill—meaning each kilowatt-hour you send to the grid offsets one kWh you’d otherwise purchase at full retail rate.
Your utility company (PPL Electric or Met-Ed) carries these credits forward month-to-month throughout the year. Each May or June, any remaining excess credits are paid out at your utility’s Price to Compare rate (approximately 8-12 cents per kWh), and your account resets to zero. This policy helps maximize your solar investment by ensuring you receive value for all the clean energy your system generates.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Harrisburg. Research shows that homes with solar systems sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar, which translates to roughly $8,000-$12,000 for a typical Harrisburg property.
Owned solar systems add the most value because buyers inherit the energy savings without monthly lease payments. The increased value reflects both the immediate utility bill savings and long-term protection from rising electricity rates that Pennsylvania homeowners face.
Solar installation costs in Harrisburg range from $16,820 to $28,843 depending on your home size and energy needs. A typical medium-sized home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) requires a 7.79 kW system costing approximately $21,966, or about $2.82 per watt.
These prices reflect complete system costs including equipment, installation, and permits. With an average payback period of 10.3 years and $66,000 in savings over 25 years, most Harrisburg homeowners find solar a worthwhile investment despite the upfront expense.
Yes, solar is financially worth it for most Harrisburg homeowners. A typical system costs around $21,966 and saves approximately $66,000 over 25 years, with a payback period of about 10 years.
Beyond the numbers, solar protects you from Pennsylvania’s rising electricity rates—which increased 29% from 2021 to 2024—while locking in predictable energy costs for decades. Your system generates consistent value year-round despite seasonal weather variations.
We’re Palmetto Solar, and we’ve completed over 2,131 installations across Pennsylvania since 2020. As a national company with local focus, we combine competitive financing options with a reliable installation network to serve Harrisburg homeowners.
Our approach emphasizes transparency and long-term relationships. We handle everything from system design to permits and installation, making the transition to solar straightforward for Pennsylvania residents.