Pittsburgh, PA
Solar in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh solar installation is gaining momentum as homeowners seek relief from Pennsylvania’s rising electricity costs, which have surged 31% from 2020 to 2024. With the state ranking 13th nationally for residential solar adoption, more Steel City residents are discovering the benefits of home solar panels.
Looking to understand how solar can work for your Pittsburgh home? This guide provides clear, straightforward information about installation processes, costs, and advantages in our unique western Pennsylvania climate.
PENNSYLVANIA by the Numbers
Key Takeaways
- Pittsburgh homeowners can save $60,592 over 25 years with solar installations, despite the city’s reputation for cloudy weather.
- Pennsylvania’s electricity rates have increased 29% since 2021, making solar an attractive option for stabilizing energy costs.
- The 30% federal tax credit saves Pittsburgh residents $6,590 on average when installing solar panels.
Solar Cost Calculator
Discover the true cost of solar in Pittsburgh with Palmetto’s exclusive calculator. Using real installation data from neighborhoods like Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Mt. Lebanon, we provide accurate estimates tailored to your specific location. Make informed decisions about powering your Pittsburgh home with clean energy.
Select Your Home Size
Estimated Investment and Savings
Based on Palmetto Solar installations in Pennsylvania. Current electricity rate: 17.8¢/kWh. Assumes 100% credit of retail rate.
Pittsburgh Electricity Prices
Pittsburgh residents face electricity costs consistently higher than the national average, with rates climbing from 13.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 17.8 cents per kWh in 2024.
Pennsylvania electricity prices have increased nearly 29% since 2021, outpacing the national average increase of 20%. This trend impacts household budgets across Pittsburgh’s diverse neighborhoods from Shadyside to Mount Washington.
Solar installation offers Pittsburgh homeowners a practical solution to these rising costs. Even with the city’s 160 average sunny days per year, modern solar technology efficiently generates electricity in western Pennsylvania’s variable climate.
By investing in solar, Pittsburgh residents can lock in energy costs for 25+ years, potentially saving thousands while increasing home value and contributing to a cleaner environment for future generations.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pittsburgh Area Utility Providers
Pittsburgh residents face varying electricity costs depending on their provider. In 2023, Duquesne Light charged 22.1¢ per kWh, while West Penn Power offered lower rates at 14.7¢ per kWh, compared to Pennsylvania’s 18.10¢ average.
Duquesne Light’s higher rates reflect infrastructure investments and urban service area costs. Meanwhile, West Penn Power maintains lower prices due to their diverse generation portfolio and larger rural coverage area, offering Steel City residents significant cost differences.
With Duquesne Light’s rates exceeding the national average by 38%, many Pittsburgh homeowners are turning to solar as a stable alternative. Solar installations provide predictable energy costs and protection from future utility rate increases across all Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
Pittsburgh Utilities Electricity Rates
Pennsylvania Solar Incentives
Pittsburgh homeowners can take advantage of valuable solar incentives in Pennsylvania that significantly reduce installation costs and improve your long-term savings.
The state offers Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), providing $200-400 annual savings for typical systems. Pennsylvania’s robust net metering program also allows homeowners to receive retail-value credits for excess electricity production.
These incentives can change over time, so research your options thoroughly. Acting promptly ensures you maximize available benefits while transitioning to clean, renewable energy for your Pittsburgh home.
Save an average of
$6,590
in solar rebates in Pennsylvania
| 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 who own solar panel systems to earn additional income from the electricity they generate. For every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar electricity your system produces—roughly equivalent to 1 megawatt-hour (MWh)—you earn one SREC that can be sold to utility companies for cash. These credits help Pennsylvania meet its renewable energy goals while providing you with a financial benefit beyond just saving on your electric bill.
As of January 2025, Pennsylvania SRECs are valued at approximately $31.25 per credit, though market prices fluctuate based on supply and demand. An average Pennsylvania home using about 10,000 kWh annually could generate around 10 SRECs per year. To participate, you must own your solar system (not lease it), register with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission as a qualified alternative energy facility, and register on the PJM Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS). Each SREC has a useful life of three years before expiring, giving you flexibility in when to sell. Working with a broker like SRECTrade can simplify the selling process and help ensure you receive fair market value for your credits.
Net Metering in Pennsylvania is a valuable program that allows solar homeowners to receive full credit for the excess electricity their systems generate. With this 1:1 net metering policy, when your solar panels produce more electricity than you’re using, that excess power flows back to the grid, and you receive a credit on your bill at the same retail rate you would normally pay for electricity. This essentially allows your electric meter to run backward, offsetting the cost of power you draw from the grid when your system isn’t producing enough.
All major Pennsylvania utilities (PECO, Duquesne, WestPenn Power, PennPower, PPL, MetEd, and Penelec) offer this program with similar terms. Excess credits accumulate month-to-month throughout the year, giving you flexibility during seasons with less sunlight. Each utility conducts an annual true-up, typically following May’s billing cycle or during June, when any remaining credits are paid out at approximately 8-12 cents per kWh (varies by utility) and your balance resets to zero. This predictable structure makes it easier to calculate the financial benefits of going solar and ensures you receive fair compensation 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 QuotePittsburgh 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.
Despite Pittsburgh’s cloudy reputation, the city’s seasonal variations and unique climate can still yield impressive solar energy production with properly designed systems.
Solar Production in Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
Discover Pittsburgh’s solar revolution! We’ve mapped every solar installation in the city, revealing which neighborhoods are leading the clean energy transition. Explore our interactive heatmap to see how many of your neighbors have already made the switch to solar power.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Pittsburgh, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are available from all major utilities including Duquesne Light, WestPenn Power, and Pennsylvania Power. With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your panels produce at a set price per kilowatt-hour, typically lower than utility rates.
Unlike purchasing solar panels outright, a PPA requires no upfront investment or maintenance responsibilities. Palmetto handles all system maintenance, monitoring, and repairs, allowing Pittsburgh homeowners to enjoy clean energy benefits without the financial commitment of ownership.
This option is particularly attractive for Pittsburgh residents wanting to reduce electricity costs while avoiding the complexity of maintaining solar equipment during Pennsylvania’s varied weather conditions. LightReach, Palmetto’s PPA program, offers immediate savings with no investment costs to recoup or maintenance concerns.
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 Pittsburgh despite its reputation for cloudiness. With electricity rates rising 29% since 2021, solar provides significant financial benefits—the average system pays for itself in 8.2 years and saves over $60,000 over 25 years.
Modern solar panels work efficiently even in Pittsburgh’s climate, and incentives like the 30% federal tax credit make installation more affordable. The city’s net metering program also ensures homeowners receive full credit for excess energy production.
Yes, Pittsburgh has 1:1 net metering through all major utilities including Duquesne Light, WestPenn Power, and Pennsylvania Power. Excess energy credits carry over month-to-month on a per kWh basis.
Each utility conducts an annual true-up following May’s billing cycle or during June, paying homeowners 8-12 cents per kWh for remaining credits before resetting the balance to zero.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Pittsburgh. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.
This premium translates to about $9,000 on a median-priced Pittsburgh home. Even in our cloudy climate, buyers value the long-term energy savings and environmental benefits that come with solar-equipped properties.
In Pittsburgh, the average cost for a medium-sized solar system (7.79 kW) is $21,966 before incentives. After applying the 30% federal tax credit, the final cost drops to around $15,376.
System prices vary based on home size, with small home systems (5.74 kW) costing approximately $11,774 and large home systems (10.53 kW) around $20,190 after incentives. These systems typically pay for themselves in 8.2 years.
Yes, solar is financially worthwhile in Pittsburgh. With electricity rates increasing 29% since 2021, the average system pays for itself in 8.2 years and saves over $60,000 during its 25-year lifespan.
Pennsylvania’s net metering program and SRECs provide additional value, while the 30% federal tax credit reduces upfront costs by approximately $6,590 for medium-sized installations.
As a national solar company with a strong local presence in Pittsburgh, we believe Palmetto offers the best installation experience. We’ve completed over 2,100 installations across Pennsylvania since 2020.
Our competitive advantage includes flexible financing options and a top-tier installation network. We focus on quality installations, responsive customer service, and long-term system performance to maximize your investment in clean energy.