Scranton, PA Solar Panels
In This Guide
Solar Power in Scranton
Planning solar installation in Scranton, PA? Northeast Pennsylvania’s snowy winters and shorter days can shape a system’s seasonal output, while roof direction, shade, and household electricity use also affect production.
Understanding these local factors can help you compare solar with utility power and set realistic expectations. Start with our guide to home solar panels, then explore what goes into planning an installation in Scranton.
PENNSYLVANIA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Scranton, PA?
Explore estimated solar installation costs in Scranton using firsthand data from Palmetto’s Pennsylvania installations. With local context for nearby communities like Dunmore, Clarks Summit, and Old Forge, this calculator can help you understand what homeowners in the area may pay for solar panels.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Scranton solar output changes with the seasons Snow, shorter winter days, roof direction, and shade all affect how much electricity panels produce.
- Local estimates offer a starting point A 9.43 kW system is modeled at about $26,082 cash, but actual costs and savings vary by home.
- Pennsylvania offers several solar programs Eligible homeowners may benefit from net-metering credits or solar credit sales; check utility rules and contract details.
Scranton Electricity Prices
Electricity prices can change what Scranton households pay each month—and make local rate trends worth watching.
The chart uses Pennsylvania rates as a local reference, not Scranton-specific prices: they climbed from 13.8¢ per kWh in 2021 to 17.8¢ in 2024, after reaching 18.1¢ in 2023. The U.S. average rose from 13.7¢ to 16.5¢.
A rooftop solar system can generate some of a home’s electricity, which may reduce how much power a household needs to buy from the utility. Actual results depend on the home and system.
Over time, producing a portion of your own electricity may help offset utility purchases and make household energy costs less dependent on changing rates. Solar does not guarantee savings or shield a home from rate increases.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
Scranton Area Utility Providers
In Scranton, PA, PPL Electric Utilities is the local provider shown here. Its 2023 electricity rate was 19.5¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh); 2024 utility data is not yet available.
That 2023 rate was above Pennsylvania’s 18.10¢/kWh average and the national average of 16.0¢/kWh. These figures show the difference, but the data provided does not identify why PPL’s rate was higher.
For Scranton households, comparing PPL’s 2023 rate with the cost of producing electricity from a potential rooftop solar system can help assess solar’s value. Actual results depend on a home’s system and electricity use.
Scranton Utilities Electricity Rates
Pennsylvania Solar Incentives
Scranton homeowners may find state and local programs that help offset solar costs. Explore solar incentives in Pennsylvania below.
Options vary by eligibility: residential customers may qualify for net-metering bill credits, solar credit sales, battery rewards, or utility rebates. Separate grants, loans, performance incentives, and C-PACE financing may apply to eligible schools or commercial properties.
Leasing through LightReach can simplify incentives: Palmetto handles the commercial investment tax credit and passes savings through as lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Statewide Net Metering | Net Metering / Bill Credits | Eligible Pennsylvania solar customer-generators can use credits for excess generation to offset later electricity use, with annual excess settled under applicable utility rules. | Learn More |
| Pennsylvania AEPS Solar Alternative Energy Credits (AECs/SRECs) | Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) | Eligible solar owners may register and sell solar alternative-energy credits, with revenue determined by buyer and contract terms rather than a fixed statewide rate. | Learn More |
| PPL Electric Optimized Battery Rewards | Battery Storage Demand-Response Reward | Eligible PPL Electric residential customers can earn seasonal rewards for allowing an enrolled home battery to provide energy during peak periods. | Learn More |
| Pennsylvania Solar for Schools Grant Program | Grant | Eligible Pennsylvania schools and colleges can receive project grants for solar installations, including eligible energy-storage costs, subject to aid-ratio limits and available funding. | Learn More |
| Pennsylvania C-PACE Financing for Renewable Energy | Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing | Owners of eligible commercial, industrial, or agricultural properties in participating Pennsylvania jurisdictions may use long-term C-PACE financing for qualifying renewable-energy projects. | Learn More |
Pennsylvania’s net-metering rules let eligible customer-generators receive bill credits for electricity they send to the grid. For residential systems, the general system-size limit is 50 kW. Under default utility service, credits generally offset electricity use at the applicable retail value during the billing year, and unused excess is settled at the utility’s price-to-compare rate at year-end.
This is an ongoing bill-credit policy, not an upfront solar or battery rebate. If you buy electricity from a competitive supplier, check its contract because the generation-credit terms may differ. Ask your utility about its interconnection process, tariff, and treatment of excess generation before signing a solar contract.
Eligible solar generation may create Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Credits, commonly called solar AECs or SRECs. Owners may be able to register the system and sell the credits to a buyer or aggregator, providing a separate potential revenue stream in addition to net-metering bill credits.
There is no fixed statewide payment rate; prices depend on eligibility, registration, market conditions, and contract terms. Review your installer, lease, power-purchase agreement, or grant documents to confirm who owns the credits, because those agreements may assign them to another party.
PPL Electric customers with an eligible home battery can enroll in Optimized Battery, which rewards participants when stored energy is available to support the grid during peak periods. The posted reward is $150 per kW per season, capped at $400 per season; with summer and winter seasons, the posted maximum is up to $800 per year.
This is an ongoing participation reward, not a discount on the battery purchase. Device eligibility and program terms apply, and payments may be prorated based on event participation beginning with the January 2027 winter season. Check the program page and your PPL account before enrolling.
The Solar for Schools Grant Program supports eligible school districts, intermediate units, career and technical schools, charter schools, community colleges, and specified state colleges with solar projects. Eligible project costs can include solar equipment and installation, permitting, interconnection, and energy storage. The maximum grant depends on the applicant’s aid ratio: up to the lesser of $900,000 or 75% of project cost for a ratio of at least 0.70; $780,000 or 65% for a ratio of 0.50–0.69; and $600,000 or 50% below 0.50.
This is an institutional grant, not a homeowner incentive. Application rounds, regional allocations, and remaining funds affect availability, so eligible organizations should confirm current requirements and funding with DCED before planning a project.
Pennsylvania C-PACE can provide long-term private financing for qualifying renewable-energy projects, including solar, with repayment made through a property-tax assessment. There is no single statewide award amount; financing terms depend on the project, lender, property, and local program rules.
Eligibility is limited to qualifying commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties in a municipality or county that has adopted C-PACE. Residential properties, including multifamily housing, are excluded. Property owners should confirm that their jurisdiction participates and review project eligibility and financing terms with the local C-PACE program administrator.
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 snowy, cloudy winters and shorter daylight reduce seasonal output, while long summer days boost it; with a well-designed system, solar can still work well in Northeastern cities.
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 organized solar installation data from across the United States and are excited to share this interactive map of Scranton, PA. Explore the hexagons to see solar installations by area and discover how neighbors across Scranton’s neighborhoods and nearby communities have made the switch to solar.
How to Choose a Solar Installer in Scranton
Verify the license
Pennsylvania has no separate state solar-installer license identified in the available guidance. Solar installation is generally treated as home improvement, so contractors generally must register with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (OAG), Bureau of Consumer Protection. Some contractors may be exempt, including certain small contractors whose home-improvement work is below the $5,000 annual threshold. Registration is not a solar license or an endorsement of skill. Look up a contractor in the OAG contractor search and review the OAG registration FAQs. Municipalities may also require local licenses or work qualifications, so check with your municipality about requirements for your project.
Look for certified installers
Ask whether the people designing and installing your system hold a relevant credential from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), and verify which team members hold it and what work it covers. Also ask whether installers have certifications from the manufacturers of the panels or inverters proposed for your system. These credentials can indicate training or qualification for particular work or equipment; they do not replace checking references, contract terms, and local requirements.
Compare quotes the same way
Request written proposals with the same assumptions, then compare:
- System size: the proposed capacity in kilowatts (kW), and the price per watt so quotes of different sizes are easier to compare.
- Equipment: panel and inverter brands and models.
- Expected production: estimated kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/year), plus the assumptions behind the estimate.
- Warranties: panel product and performance, inverter, workmanship, and roof penetrations. Ask who is responsible for each.
- Project responsibilities: who obtains permits and submits the utility interconnection application.
- Cost and payment: total cost or monthly payment, and any payment escalator. Compare the full terms, not just the advertised monthly amount.
Permits, interconnection and your HOA
Ask the local building-code official which permits and inspections apply. Pennsylvania sets the Uniform Construction Code, but local administration is generally the starting point; in opt-out municipalities, a UCC-certified third-party agency handles residential code review and inspections. Your serving electric distribution company processes interconnection under Pennsylvania PUC rules. Depending on your address, that may be PECO Energy Co, PPL Electric Utilities Corp, West Penn Power Company, or Duquesne Light Co. Confirm the serving utility and who will manage the application. Pennsylvania has no currently enacted statewide solar-access law identified that prevents an HOA from banning rooftop solar; current condominium and planned-community association-power statutes do not provide solar-specific protection. Review your association’s rules before signing. See Pennsylvania association-power statutes.
Red flags
- Pressure to sign the same day, before you can compare the proposal or review the contract.
- Unverified registration, or out-of-state crews whose local qualifications and responsibility for the work are unclear.
- Vague production estimates with no stated kWh/year figure or assumptions.
- A large upfront deposit without a clear written schedule of payments and project milestones.
- A promise of a homeowner federal tax credit for a 2026 purchase; homeowner credits ended December 31, 2025.
If you have a concern about a contractor, Pennsylvania’s OAG accepts consumer complaints and lists its Home Improvement Consumer Helpline at 1-888-520-6680 for questions or reports about contractor registration.
Leasing Solar Panels
For Scranton homes served by PPL Electric Utilities, Palmetto’s available solar financing option is a power purchase agreement (PPA). With a PPA, you pay for the electricity your panels produce at an agreed price per kilowatt-hour, rather than a fixed monthly lease payment. Production can vary by season, so PPA payments may be higher in sunnier months.
Compared with paying in cash, a PPA avoids the full upfront system cost. Under a LightReach agreement, Palmetto manages system maintenance, subject to the contract terms; cash purchasers own the equipment and handle maintenance themselves.
Learn more about the differences in buying or leasing solar. PPA availability and terms depend on your utility service and home.
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!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. Scranton, PA has net metering. PPL Electric Utilities customers can receive 1:1 bill credits for excess solar electricity, which carry forward from month to month on a kilowatt-hour basis.
Any unused credits are typically paid out at about 10–12 cents per kWh during June, and the credit balance resets afterward. Check with PPL for the current tariff and your account’s exact terms.
Solar panels can increase a Scranton home’s value when the system is owned. A Zillow study found homes with solar panels sold for about 4.1% more on average, though that national finding doesn’t guarantee a higher sale price locally.
This potential value increase applies to purchased systems, not leased or third-party-owned (TPO) systems. With a lease or PPA, a buyer may need to assume the agreement, which can affect resale differently. In Scranton, system condition, roof suitability, and seasonal production also matter.
In Scranton, homeowners can go solar through a LightReach lease with no upfront cost and a low fixed monthly payment. The calculator estimates $79 per month for a small home, $113 for a medium home, and $163 for a large home.
A cash purchase is another option: a modeled 9.43 kW system costs about $26,082. The federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases following the 2025 federal law change. See the calculator above for home-size-specific pricing.
Solar leasing lets Scranton homeowners use a system with no upfront cost. LightReach bundles panels, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and protection—including a 90% production guarantee—in one payment. A typical 9.43 kW system is estimated at $113/month; actual price varies.
For PPL Electric customers, the article says the available option is a PPA, not a fixed lease: payment depends on production. Solar may lower costs when payments are below avoided utility costs, though utility bills can remain.
Solar panels are low maintenance. In Scranton, snow and seasonal weather can temporarily affect production, so homeowners can check system output and look for visible damage from the ground.
With LightReach, Palmetto owns the system and handles maintenance, monitoring, and repairs at no extra cost. The agreement also includes a 90% Production Guarantee.
Scranton homeowners may receive Pennsylvania net-metering credits for excess solar electricity and may be able to sell eligible solar alternative energy credits (AECs/SRECs); payment depends on buyer and contract terms. PPL Electric customers with eligible batteries may also qualify for seasonal battery rewards.
The federal 30% residential tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. Palmetto says LightReach leasing still benefits because it claims the commercial investment tax credit and passes savings through in lower payments. Separate state grants and C-PACE financing are for eligible schools or commercial properties, not homeowners.
Solar can be worth it financially when the cost of your solar agreement is less than the electricity costs it offsets. With LightReach, there is no upfront investment, and the monthly lease payment is typically less than a homeowner’s current electricity bill, so savings can begin once the system is active.
In Scranton, actual savings depend on your usage, roof, seasonal production, utility rates, and agreement terms. PPL Electric customers may have a power purchase agreement, which charges for the electricity panels produce rather than a fixed monthly lease payment.