Wilkes-Barre, PA Solar Panels
In This Guide
Solar Power in Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre homeowners are discovering that solar panels for home use offer a practical way to manage rising energy costs. With Pennsylvania electricity prices increasing 31% from 2020 to 2024, many residents are exploring how solar performs in our region’s climate.
This guide walks you through what you’ll learn about solar installation in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania—from understanding costs and available incentives to selecting the right system for your specific needs.
PENNSYLVANIA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Wilkes-Barre homes—including Kingston, Hanover Township, and Plains—to show you what solar actually costs in your area. See personalized estimates based on local installations, not generic numbers.
System
Cost
Savings
You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Wilkes-Barre receives 4.4 peak sun hours daily, providing enough sunlight for solar panels to generate meaningful electricity savings year-round.
- Pennsylvania electricity rates increased 29% since 2021, making solar’s fixed energy costs increasingly valuable for long-term budget protection.
- A typical 10 kW system generates 12,108 kWh annually, potentially saving homeowners over $61,000 across 25 years.
Wilkes-Barre Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs helps Wilkes-Barre homeowners make informed decisions about their energy future. Here’s what the numbers reveal about local rates.
Pennsylvania electricity rates jumped from 13.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 17.8 cents in 2024—a 29% increase in just three years that outpaced the national average.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, protecting homeowners from these fluctuations. Once installed, your system produces power at the same rate for decades, regardless of utility price changes.
Over a typical 25-year system lifespan, this price stability can translate to significant savings. While utility rates continue climbing, solar owners lock in predictable energy costs from day one.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
Wilkes-Barre Area Utility Providers
Wilkes-Barre residents are served primarily by PPL Electric, which charged 19.5¢ per kWh in 2023—above both the national average of 16.0¢ and Pennsylvania’s state average of 18.10¢ per kWh.
PPL Electric’s higher rates reflect Pennsylvania’s energy infrastructure costs and the region’s reliance on traditional grid power. As utility rates continue climbing, understanding these baseline costs helps homeowners plan their energy budgets.
Solar panels allow Wilkes-Barre homeowners to generate their own electricity at a predictable cost. When utility rates rise, your solar investment becomes increasingly valuable, helping offset higher grid prices with stable energy production.
Wilkes-Barre Utilities Electricity Rates
Pennsylvania Solar Incentives
Pennsylvania offers valuable solar incentives in Pennsylvania that help Wilkes-Barre homeowners reduce upfront costs and maximize long-term savings from their solar investment.
The state’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 power sent back to the grid, with credits rolling over monthly.
These programs change periodically based on state policy and market conditions. Research current rates and eligibility requirements carefully to understand how they apply to your specific situation.
| 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 produce. For every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar electricity your system generates, you earn one SREC that can be sold on the open market. An average Pennsylvania home solar system produces 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 this program. These credits were created under Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to help the state meet its renewable energy goals.
To participate, you must own your solar system (not lease it) and register with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Alternative Energy Credit Program. Once approved, your system will be registered on the Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS) trading platform where you can sell your credits. SRECs have a three-year useful life, meaning a credit earned in 2025 can be sold anytime through 2027 before it expires. Pennsylvania SRECs can be sold within PA or in Ohio. Palmetto partners with SRECTrade to help customers sell their credits easily, offering options to either lock in a set rate for three to five years or sell at current market value as each SREC is created.
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 and reducing your monthly electricity costs.
All major Pennsylvania utilities participate in net metering, including PECO, Duquesne Light, PPL Electric Utilities, West Penn Power, Metropolitan Edison (MetEd), Pennsylvania Electric (Penelec), and Pennsylvania Power Company (PennPower). Your excess credits roll over from month to month throughout the year, which is especially valuable during sunny summer months when your system produces more than you need. However, once a year (typically in May or June, depending on your utility), any remaining credits are “trued-up” and paid out at a lower rate—usually between 8 and 12 cents per kWh, which is the wholesale electricity rate rather than the full retail rate. After this annual true-up, your credit balance resets to zero.
Net metering is automatically available to residential solar customers in Pennsylvania, with no special application required beyond your standard interconnection agreement with your utility. There are no deadlines to worry about, as this is an ongoing program established by state law. The key consideration is understanding that while your month-to-month credits are valued at the full retail electricity rate, any credits remaining at your annual true-up date are compensated at a lower wholesale rate, so it’s most beneficial to size your system to match your annual energy usage rather than significantly overproduce.
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 QuoteWilkes-Barre 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.
Wilkes-Barre’s four distinct seasons create varied solar production throughout the year. While winters bring snow and shorter days, modern panels efficiently capture available sunlight year-round, making solar surprisingly effective here.
Solar Production in Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre
We’ve mapped every solar installation across Wilkes-Barre 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!
Leasing Solar Panels
In Wilkes-Barre, Palmetto offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for homeowners served by PPL Electric Utilities. With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your solar panels generate at a set rate per kilowatt-hour, rather than a fixed monthly payment.
This means your solar bill varies with seasonal production—typically higher in summer when panels produce more energy, and lower in winter. Over the course of a year, your average monthly cost equals what you’d pay with a traditional solar lease, but you gain flexibility based on actual production.
PPAs eliminate upfront costs and maintenance responsibilities while providing immediate energy savings. To learn more about whether a PPA or purchasing makes sense for your situation, explore our buying versus leasing guide or discover LightReach, our solar-as-a-service program.
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 Wilkes-Barre. With Pennsylvania electricity rates rising 29% since 2021 and the area receiving 4.4 peak sun hours daily, solar panels provide reliable energy production year-round. A typical 10 kW system generates around 12,108 kWh annually, potentially saving homeowners over $61,000 across 25 years.
Pennsylvania’s net metering program and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) add value by crediting you for excess power and generating tradable certificates. While winters bring snow and shorter days, modern panels efficiently capture available sunlight throughout all seasons, making solar a practical long-term investment for local homeowners.
Yes, Wilkes-Barre has net metering through PPL Electric Utilities. When your solar panels produce more electricity than you use, excess energy flows back to the grid and credits your account at a 1:1 ratio—meaning each kilowatt-hour sent to the grid offsets one you might use later.
These credits roll over month-to-month throughout the year. However, once annually (typically in June), any remaining credits are paid out at approximately 10-12 cents per kWh—the wholesale rate rather than the full retail rate—and your balance resets to zero.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Wilkes-Barre. Research from Zillow shows homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar systems.
For a median-priced Wilkes-Barre home, this could translate to thousands of dollars in added value. Buyers increasingly view solar as a valuable feature that offers predictable energy costs and environmental benefits, making homes with installed systems more attractive in the local real estate market.
In Wilkes-Barre, solar panel costs range from $16,820 to $28,843 depending on your home size and energy needs. A typical medium-sized home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) needs a 7.79 kW system costing around $21,966, or approximately $2.82 per watt.
With an average payback period of 11.1 years and potential savings of $61,178 over 25 years, solar represents a significant long-term investment. Pennsylvania’s net metering program and SREC incentives help offset costs through ongoing credits and energy savings.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Wilkes-Barre. A typical 7.79 kW system costs around $21,966 and can save homeowners approximately $61,178 over 25 years, with an 11.1-year payback period.
With Pennsylvania electricity rates rising 29% since 2021 and net metering crediting excess power at full retail value, solar provides predictable energy costs and protection from future rate increases. The system pays for itself through monthly savings while increasing home value.
We’re Palmetto Solar, and we’ve completed over 2,131 installations across Pennsylvania since 2020. Our national reach gives us buying power for competitive pricing, while our local installation partners ensure quality workmanship in your community.
We offer flexible financing options to fit different budgets and a straightforward installation process. Our experience across Pennsylvania means we understand the specific permitting requirements and utility interconnection procedures for Wilkes-Barre homes, helping your project move smoothly from quote to activation.