Pittsburgh, PA Solar Panels
Solar Power in Pittsburgh
Thinking about solar energy for your Pittsburgh, PA home? You’re in the right place. With electricity prices in Pennsylvania climbing 31% from 2020 to 2024, more homeowners are exploring solar panels for home use as a way to take control of their energy costs.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about solar installation in Pittsburgh—from understanding how it works to what makes sense for your specific situation.
PENNSYLVANIA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Pittsburgh, PA?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Pittsburgh homes—from Mount Lebanon to Squirrel Hill to Cranberry Township—to show you what solar actually costs in your area. Get personalized estimates based on thousands of local installations, not generic national averages.
System
Cost
Savings
You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Pittsburgh solar systems produce year-round energy with summer generating up to 43.9 kWh daily and winter maintaining 17.8 kWh daily.
- Pennsylvania’s electricity rates jumped 29% since 2021, making solar panels a smart way to lock in predictable energy costs for decades.
- A typical 7.79 kW system costs $21,966 and can save Pittsburgh homeowners approximately $60,592 over 25 years.
Pittsburgh Electricity Prices
Understanding Pittsburgh’s electricity costs is essential when considering your home energy options. Let’s look at how rates have changed in recent years.
Pennsylvania’s electricity rates have risen significantly, climbing from 13.8 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2021 to 17.8 cents in 2024. That’s a 29% increase in just three years, outpacing the national average.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, protecting homeowners from these utility rate increases. Once installed, your system produces power at the same rate for decades, regardless of grid price fluctuations.
Over a typical 25-year lifespan, solar panels can shield your household from continued rate increases while reducing your dependence on the grid. It’s a long-term approach to stabilizing your energy expenses.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pittsburgh Area Utility Providers
Pittsburgh residents are served by two main utility providers with notably different electricity rates. According to 2023 data, Duquesne Light charges 22.1¢ per kWh, while West Penn Power charges 14.7¢ per kWh.
Duquesne Light’s rates exceed both the Pennsylvania average (18.1¢) and national average (16.0¢), largely due to infrastructure investments and regional transmission costs. West Penn Power falls below both benchmarks, reflecting its broader service territory and generation mix.
These rate differences matter when evaluating solar. Higher electricity costs mean greater potential savings from generating your own power, while locked-in rates provide predictability that utility bills cannot guarantee as prices continue trending upward.
Pittsburgh Utilities Electricity Rates
Pennsylvania Solar Incentives
Pennsylvania offers financial incentives that can significantly reduce the cost of going solar. Below, we’ve outlined the key solar incentives in Pennsylvania available to Pittsburgh homeowners.
The two main programs—Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) and Net Metering—work differently but both put money back in your pocket. SRECs provide ongoing annual payments based on your system’s energy production, while Net Metering credits your utility bill for excess electricity your panels generate.
These incentives can change as programs evolve and funding shifts. Take time to understand how each works for your situation, and consider acting sooner rather than later.
| 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 your solar production. These credits were created under Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to help the state meet its renewable energy goals.
To participate in this program, you must own your solar system—either purchased outright or financed. Leased systems don’t qualify because the leasing company retains ownership of the credits. After installing solar, you’ll need to apply to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Alternative Energy Credit Program to become a qualified facility, then register with the PJM Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS) to track and sell your credits. Each SREC has a three-year useful life, giving you flexibility in when to sell. For example, a credit earned in 2025 can be sold anytime through 2027. Palmetto partners with SRECTrade to help customers manage their credits and ensure they receive fair market value, with options to either lock in rates for three to five years or sell at current market prices as credits are generated.
Net metering in Pennsylvania allows you to earn credits on your electric bill for the excess solar energy your system produces. When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home uses, that surplus power flows back to the grid, and your utility company credits your account on a 1:1 basis. This means every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you send to the grid offsets one kWh you might use later, effectively running your meter backwards.
All major Pennsylvania utilities—including PECO, Duquesne Light, PPL Electric, West Penn Power, Met-Ed, Penelec, and Penn Power—offer this program. Your excess credits roll over from month to month throughout the year, giving you flexibility during seasons when your solar production varies. Each spring (typically in May or June, depending on your utility), any remaining credits are 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 true-up, your credit balance resets to zero and the cycle begins again.
To participate, you’ll need to install a solar energy system and complete your utility’s interconnection process. There are no application deadlines, and the program is available to residential customers across Pennsylvania. Keep in mind that the annual true-up timing and exact credit rates vary by utility company, so it’s worth understanding your specific provider’s schedule to maximize the value of your solar investment.
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.
Pittsburgh’s cloudy reputation might surprise you—solar panels thrive here! Seasonal sunlight variation and latitude affect production, but modern systems efficiently capture available light year-round, making solar a smart investment.
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 Panel Systems in Pittsburgh
We’ve mapped every solar installation across Pittsburgh to help you explore which neighborhoods are embracing clean energy. Click any hexagon to see how many homes in that area have made the switch to solar—you might be surprised by how many of your neighbors have already joined the movement!
Leasing Solar Panels
Pittsburgh homeowners have access to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through all major utility providers in the area, including Duquesne Light and West Penn Power. With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your solar panels produce at a set rate per kilowatt-hour, rather than a fixed monthly payment.
This means your solar bills naturally fluctuate with the seasons—higher in sunny summer months when panels produce more, lower in winter—but your annual costs remain predictable and typically lower than traditional utility rates. Between PPAs and traditional leases, your yearly savings work out about the same.
The advantage over purchasing? No upfront investment, no maintenance responsibilities, and immediate savings from day one. Learn more about buying versus leasing solar or explore Palmetto’s LightReach program to see if a PPA fits your situation.
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 the city’s cloudy reputation. With electricity rates rising 29% since 2021 and Pennsylvania averaging 4.4 peak sun hours daily, solar panels generate reliable year-round energy while protecting you from future rate increases.
A typical 7.79 kW system costs around $21,966 and can save approximately $60,592 over 25 years. Combined with Pennsylvania’s net metering and SREC programs, Pittsburgh homeowners see meaningful returns on their solar investment.
Yes, Pittsburgh has net metering through all major utility providers including Duquesne Light and West Penn Power. When your solar panels produce more electricity than you use, the excess flows back to the grid and you receive 1:1 credits on your bill—meaning each kilowatt-hour you send out offsets one you might use later.
These credits roll over month to month throughout the year. Each spring (typically May or June depending on your utility), any remaining credits are paid out at your utility’s Price to Compare rate, which ranges from approximately 8 to 12 cents per kWh. After this annual settlement, your credit balance resets to zero.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Pittsburgh. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them.
For Pittsburgh’s median home price, this translates to thousands of dollars in added value. Buyers appreciate lower utility bills and protection from rising electricity rates, making solar-equipped homes more attractive in the local market.
Solar panel costs in Pittsburgh vary by home size. A typical 7.79 kW system for a medium-sized home costs around $21,966, with pricing at $2.82 per watt. Smaller homes (5.74 kW) start at $16,820, while larger homes (10.53 kW) cost approximately $28,843.
Your final cost depends on your energy usage, roof characteristics, and system size. With Pennsylvania’s SREC program and net metering, most Pittsburgh homeowners see significant long-term savings despite the upfront investment.
Yes, solar is financially worth it for most Pittsburgh homeowners. A typical 7.79 kW system costs $21,966 and saves approximately $60,592 over 25 years, with a payback period of about 11 years. After that, you enjoy essentially free electricity for the remaining system life.
With Pennsylvania electricity rates up 29% since 2021 and continuing to rise, solar panels lock in predictable energy costs while generating ongoing savings. The combination of net metering credits and SREC payments adds to your financial returns, making solar a solid long-term investment for Pittsburgh residents.
At Palmetto, we’ve completed over 2,131 installations across Pennsylvania since 2020, bringing our national solar expertise to Pittsburgh homeowners. We combine competitive financing options with a reliable installation network to make going solar straightforward.
Our approach focuses on transparency and long-term relationships. From your initial quote through installation and beyond, we handle the details so you can focus on the savings. Whether you’re in Mount Lebanon, Squirrel Hill, or Cranberry Township, our team understands Pittsburgh’s unique energy landscape and can help you make an informed decision about solar.