Solar Guide
Solar in Harrisburg
Harrisburg homeowners are discovering solar energy benefits as Pennsylvania electricity prices have increased 31% from 2020 to 2024. With the state ranking 13th for residential solar installations, more families are switching to clean, renewable energy.
Understanding your home solar panel options helps you make informed decisions about this growing energy solution in the region.
PENNSYLVANIA by the Numbers
Key Takeaways
- Harrisburg homeowners save an average of $66,000 over 25 years with solar panels, thanks to Pennsylvania’s rising electricity rates and federal tax credits.
- Pennsylvania ranks 6th nationally for residential solar installations with over 159,000 households already generating clean energy from their rooftops.
- Solar systems in Harrisburg typically pay for themselves in 7.5 years while providing decades of predictable, clean energy for your home.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our solar cost calculator uses real installation data from Harrisburg neighborhoods like Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, and Carlisle. Get accurate pricing estimates based on actual local projects, not generic estimates from other companies.
System
Cost
Savings
Harrisburg Electricity Prices
Harrisburg electricity costs have climbed steadily, making energy bills a growing concern for local homeowners seeking affordable solutions.
Pennsylvania electricity rates jumped from 13.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 18.1 cents in 2023, consistently exceeding national averages throughout this period.
Solar panels generate your own electricity, helping shield Harrisburg households from these rising utility rates while producing clean energy directly from your rooftop.
Over 25 years, solar systems can provide predictable energy costs, protecting Harrisburg families from future electricity rate increases while reducing environmental impact.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
Harrisburg Area Utility Providers
Harrisburg residents receive electricity from two main utilities: Met-Ed at 17.2¢ per kWh and PPL Electric at 19.5¢ per kWh, based on 2023 data.
Both utilities charge above the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh, though they remain close to Pennsylvania’s state average of 18.10¢ per kWh.
These higher electricity rates mean Harrisburg homeowners pay more for traditional energy, making solar’s stable, predictable costs increasingly attractive for long-term energy planning.
Harrisburg Utilities Electricity Rates
Pennsylvania Solar Incentives
Harrisburg solar installation costs become more affordable through federal tax credits and Pennsylvania’s solar incentives in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania homeowners benefit from Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), earning $200-400 annually when their systems generate clean electricity for the grid.
Net metering programs provide bill credits when your Harrisburg solar panels produce excess energy, reducing monthly electricity costs.
$6,590
Average savings in Pennsylvania solar rebates
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Credit | Federal tax credit | A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed | Learn More |
| 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 |
The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.
The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.
Pennsylvania’s Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) program allows homeowners with 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. This means a typical Pennsylvania home solar system generates about 10 SRECs per year, providing an ongoing income stream from your solar investment.
As of January 2025, each SREC sells for approximately $31.25, though prices fluctuate based on market conditions. SRECs have a three-year lifespan, so credits earned in 2025 can be sold anytime through 2027. To participate, you must own your solar system (not lease it) and register with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Alternative Energy Credit Program. Your system must also be registered on the Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS) trading platform. Pennsylvania SRECs can be sold in both Pennsylvania and Ohio markets, giving you flexibility in finding buyers for your credits.
Net metering in Pennsylvania allows homeowners with solar panels to receive credit for excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid. When your solar system produces more power than your home uses, that extra energy flows to the electric grid and you receive a 1:1 credit on your utility bill – meaning you get full retail rate credit for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you contribute. This credit system works across all major Pennsylvania utilities including PECO, Duquesne, PPL Electric, and others.
The financial benefit varies by utility company, with excess credits typically valued between 8-12 cents per kWh when cashed out annually. Your monthly credits can roll over throughout the year, but most utilities conduct a “true-up” process in May or June where any remaining excess credits are paid out at the wholesale rate (Price to Compare rate) and your account resets to zero. For example, PECO pays out excess credits at approximately 8-9 cents per kWh during their May billing cycle, while PPL Electric pays around 10-12 cents per kWh in June. This system helps maximize the value of your solar investment by ensuring you’re compensated for all the clean energy your system produces.
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’s variable seasons and occasional cloud cover create unique solar conditions. Despite Pennsylvania’s reputation for gray winters, proper system design maximizes year-round energy production effectively.
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 Installations in Harrisburg
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to show you something exciting: your Harrisburg neighbors are embracing clean energy! Explore this interactive map to discover which communities near you have made the switch to solar.
Leasing Solar Panels
Harrisburg homeowners have access to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through all major local utilities, including PPL Electric and Met-Ed. With a PPA, you pay for the actual energy your solar panels produce at a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour, typically lower than current utility rates.
This financing option eliminates upfront costs and system maintenance responsibilities while providing immediate savings on your electricity bills. Unlike purchasing panels outright, PPAs include comprehensive maintenance, monitoring, and repairs throughout the agreement term, ensuring optimal system performance without additional expenses.
Learn more about solar financing options or explore our LightReach program designed specifically for homeowners who want solar benefits without ownership complexities.
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 sense in Harrisburg due to rising electricity rates and strong financial incentives. Pennsylvania homeowners save an average of $66,000 over 25 years with solar panels.
With electricity rates at 17.8¢/kWh and the 30% federal tax credit, Harrisburg solar systems typically pay for themselves in 7.5 years while providing decades of clean energy savings.
Yes, Harrisburg has net metering through utilities like PPL Electric and Met-Ed. Both offer 1:1 net metering, giving you full retail rate credit for excess solar energy sent to the grid.
Monthly credits roll over throughout the year, then excess credits are paid out at wholesale rates (8-12 cents per kWh) during annual true-up periods in May or June.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Harrisburg, PA. Research from Zillow shows solar panels increase home value by 4.1% on average across the United States.
For Harrisburg homeowners, this means a typical $200,000 home could see an $8,200 value increase with solar panels. Solar installations also help homes sell faster and appeal to environmentally conscious buyers in Pennsylvania’s competitive real estate market.
Solar installation costs in Harrisburg range from $11,774 to $20,190 after federal tax credits, 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 $15,376 after the 30% federal tax credit.
Pennsylvania homeowners also benefit from Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), earning $200-400 annually when their systems generate clean electricity, further reducing the total cost of going solar.
Solar is financially worth it for most Harrisburg homeowners. With Pennsylvania electricity rates at 17.8¢/kWh and rising, solar systems typically pay for themselves in 7.5 years while providing decades of predictable energy costs.
Harrisburg residents save an average of $66,000 over 25 years with solar panels, plus earn $200-400 annually through Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) when their systems generate clean electricity for the grid.
We believe Palmetto Solar is the best choice for Harrisburg homeowners. We’ve completed over 2,131 installations across Pennsylvania since 2020, bringing proven expertise to your local market.
Our national reach provides competitive financing options and reliable installation networks, while our local focus ensures we understand Harrisburg’s specific solar conditions and utility requirements for optimal system performance.