Scranton, PA Solar Panels
Solar Power in Scranton
Considering solar energy for your Scranton home? You’re in the right place. With Pennsylvania electricity prices jumping 31% from 2020 to 2024, more homeowners are exploring solar panels for home use as a way to reduce their energy costs.
This guide covers everything you need to know about solar installation in Scranton—from understanding local incentives to choosing the right system for your home.
PENNSYLVANIA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Scranton, PA?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Scranton homes—including Dunmore, Clarks Summit, and Old Forge—to show what solar actually costs in your area. Get personalized pricing based on local projects, not national averages.
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Cost
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You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Scranton receives 4.4 peak sun hours daily providing reliable solar production year-round despite Pennsylvania’s varied weather patterns.
- Pennsylvania electricity rates jumped 29% since 2021 making solar panels an increasingly smart investment for Scranton homeowners.
- A typical 10 kW system generates 12,038 kWh annually potentially saving Scranton homeowners over $60,000 across 25 years.
Scranton Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs in Scranton helps you make informed decisions about your home’s energy future. Let’s look at the numbers.
Pennsylvania electricity rates have climbed from 13.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 17.8 cents in 2024—a nearly 29% increase in just three years. Scranton residents have felt this impact on their monthly bills.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, protecting homeowners from these market fluctuations. Once your system is installed, the sun’s energy is free, helping stabilize your monthly energy expenses regardless of utility rate changes.
Over a typical 25-year system lifespan, this protection adds up significantly. While utility rates continue rising, solar homeowners lock in predictable energy costs, creating long-term savings and budget certainty for their families.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
Scranton Area Utility Providers
Scranton residents receive electricity from three main providers: Met-Ed, Penelec, and PPL. As of 2023, their rates ranged from 17.2¢ to 19.5¢ per kilowatt-hour—all exceeding the national average of 16.0¢.
Pennsylvania’s electricity costs reflect its energy infrastructure transition and regional transmission expenses. While Met-Ed’s rates sit slightly above the national average, Penelec and PPL’s rates also exceed the state average of 18.10¢ per kWh.
Understanding your utility rates helps you calculate potential savings from solar. Since electricity prices have risen consistently, generating your own power can provide protection against future rate increases while reducing monthly energy expenses.
Scranton Utilities Electricity Rates
Pennsylvania Solar Incentives
Going solar in Scranton involves a significant upfront investment, but Pennsylvania offers valuable programs to help offset costs. Below, you’ll find details on solar incentives in Pennsylvania available to homeowners.
Pennsylvania’s Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) program allows you to earn credits for the electricity your system generates. Net metering ensures you receive full retail value for excess energy sent back to the grid, reducing your monthly bills.
These incentive programs can change as policies evolve. Research current requirements and act promptly to maximize your savings when planning your Scranton solar installation.
| 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, providing an ongoing income stream that helps maximize your solar investment and shorten your payback period.
To participate, you must own your solar system (not lease it) and register with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Alternative Energy Credit Program and the PJM Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS). Once registered, you can sell your SRECs through trusted brokers. Each SREC has a three-year useful life, meaning credits earned in 2025 can be sold anytime through 2027. Palmetto works with Pennsylvania solar customers to coordinate SREC sales through SRECTrade, offering options to either lock in a set rate for 3-5 years or sell at current market value as each credit is generated. This program was created under Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to help the state meet its renewable energy goals while rewarding homeowners for their clean energy production.
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, your electric meter essentially runs backward, crediting your account on a kilowatt-hour (kWh) basis. All major utilities in Pennsylvania offer 1:1 net metering, meaning you receive a credit equal to the retail rate you would normally pay for electricity.
The financial benefit varies by utility company, with excess credits valued between 8-12 cents per kWh depending on your provider. These credits accumulate month to month throughout the year, helping offset your electricity costs during periods when your solar panels produce less energy. Each spring (typically in May or June), your utility company performs an annual “true-up” where any remaining excess credits are paid out at the Price to Compare (PTC) rate—generally ranging from 8-12 cents per kWh—and your account resets to zero. This means you can bank credits during sunny summer months to use during winter, though any surplus beyond your annual usage is compensated at the wholesale rate rather than carried forward indefinitely.
Net metering 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. There are no application deadlines, as this is an ongoing program required by state law. The key consideration for homeowners is to size your solar system appropriately—ideally to match your annual electricity consumption—since excess generation beyond your yearly needs is valued at the lower wholesale rate during the annual true-up period.
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 QuoteScranton 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.
Scranton’s four distinct seasons create varied solar production throughout the year. While winters bring shorter days and occasional snow cover, modern solar systems still generate reliable clean energy year-round.
Solar Production in Scranton 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 Scranton
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America, and we’re excited to share this interactive view of Scranton’s solar landscape. Explore which neighborhoods in your community have already made the switch to clean energy—you might be surprised by how many of your neighbors have gone solar!
Leasing Solar Panels
In Scranton, Palmetto offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for homeowners served by PPL Electric Utilities, Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed), and Pennsylvania Electric (Penelec). With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your panels generate at a set rate per kilowatt-hour—typically lower than your utility’s rate—rather than purchasing the system outright.
This approach eliminates the upfront investment while still reducing your monthly energy costs. Palmetto handles all system maintenance and monitoring, so you enjoy the benefits of solar without the responsibilities of ownership. Learn more about buying versus leasing solar to determine which option fits your situation.
Our LightReach program makes solar accessible to more Scranton homeowners by removing financial barriers. You start saving from day one, with predictable energy costs and professional system care included throughout your agreement.
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 Scranton. Despite Pennsylvania’s varied weather, the area receives 4.4 peak sun hours daily, providing reliable year-round solar production. With electricity rates jumping 29% since 2021 to 17.8¢/kWh, Scranton homeowners can save over $60,000 across 25 years with a typical system.
Pennsylvania’s net metering program and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) further improve returns. A 10 kW system generates approximately 12,038 kWh annually, offsetting most household electricity needs while protecting against future rate increases.
Yes, Scranton has net metering through all major utility providers. Pennsylvania law requires 1:1 net metering, meaning you receive full retail credit for excess solar electricity sent to the grid. Credits accumulate monthly throughout the year, helping offset costs during lower production periods.
Each May or June, utilities perform an annual “true-up” where remaining excess credits are paid out at 8-12 cents per kWh (the wholesale Price to Compare rate). Your account then resets to zero, allowing you to build new credits for the following year.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Scranton. Research shows that homes with solar systems sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar. For a median-priced Scranton home, this translates to thousands of dollars in added value.
Owned solar systems provide the greatest value increase since buyers benefit from immediate energy savings without loan obligations. The long-term electricity cost protection makes solar-equipped homes particularly attractive in areas like Pennsylvania where utility rates have risen 29% since 2021.
Solar installation costs in Scranton vary by 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. Smaller homes (under 2,000 sq ft) average $16,820 for a 5.74 kW system, while larger homes (over 3,000 sq ft) run about $28,843 for 10.53 kW.
These prices reflect complete installations including equipment, labor, and permits. With Pennsylvania’s net metering and SREC programs, a medium system typically saves homeowners around $139 monthly, reaching payback in approximately 11 years and delivering over $60,000 in savings across 25 years.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Scranton. A typical 7.79 kW system costs around $21,966 and saves homeowners approximately $139 monthly. With Pennsylvania’s 29% electricity rate increase since 2021 and net metering providing full retail credit, systems reach payback in about 11 years.
Over 25 years, Scranton homeowners save over $60,000 while protecting against future rate hikes. Pennsylvania’s SREC program adds roughly $200-400 annually in extra income, further improving your return on investment.
We’re Palmetto Solar, and we’ve completed over 2,131 installations across Pennsylvania since 2020. Our national reach combined with local expertise means Scranton homeowners get quality service and competitive financing options.
We offer flexible financing that fits different budgets, plus our trusted installation network ensures professional work from start to finish. Our team handles everything—from permits to system monitoring—so you can focus on enjoying clean energy savings.