Solar Guide
Solar in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh homeowners are turning to solar panel installation as electricity costs rise. With Pennsylvania’s rates jumping 31% from 2020 to 2024, many Steel City residents are exploring solar energy for long-term savings.
This guide covers everything about solar panels for your home, from installation basics to whether solar makes sense for your Pittsburgh property.
PENNSYLVANIA by the Numbers
Key Takeaways
- Pittsburgh electricity rates rose 31% from 2020-2024, making solar an increasingly smart investment for long-term energy savings.
- Federal tax credits cover 30% of installation costs while Pennsylvania’s SREC program provides ongoing income from your solar system.
- Modern solar panels work efficiently even on cloudy days, making them surprisingly effective in Pittsburgh’s variable weather conditions.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our Pittsburgh solar cost calculator uses real installation data from homes across Allegheny County, including Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Mt. Lebanon, and Fox Chapel. Get accurate, local pricing based on actual Palmetto installations in your neighborhood.
System
Cost
Savings
Pittsburgh Electricity Prices
Pittsburgh’s electricity costs have climbed steadily, making solar an increasingly attractive option for Steel City homeowners seeking energy independence.
Pennsylvania electricity rates rose from 13.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 17.8 cents in 2024, consistently exceeding national averages throughout this period.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, protecting homeowners from unpredictable utility rate increases while reducing monthly energy bills over time.
With solar systems lasting 25+ years, Pittsburgh families can lock in predictable energy costs and potentially save thousands as electricity rates continue climbing.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pittsburgh Area Utility Providers
Pittsburgh residents pay varying electricity rates depending on their utility provider. In 2023, Duquesne Light customers paid 22.1¢ per kWh while West Penn Power customers paid 14.7¢ per kWh.
Duquesne Light’s rates exceed both Pennsylvania’s average of 18.1¢ and the national average of 16.0¢. West Penn Power rates fall below both state and national averages, reflecting different infrastructure costs.
Higher electricity rates can make solar more financially attractive over time. Solar panels generate predictable energy costs, helping homeowners manage rising utility expenses regardless of their provider.
Pittsburgh Utilities Electricity Rates
Pennsylvania Solar Incentives
Pittsburgh homeowners can significantly reduce solar installation costs through federal tax credits and solar incentives in Pennsylvania.
The federal solar tax credit allows you to deduct 30% of installation costs from your taxes. Pennsylvania also offers Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) and net metering programs.
These incentives change regularly and have specific deadlines. Research current programs thoroughly and consider acting promptly to maximize your savings.
$6,590
Average savings in Pennsylvania solar rebates
| 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 with 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. This means a typical Pennsylvania home solar system generates about 10 SRECs per year, providing an ongoing income stream from your solar investment.
As of January 2025, each SREC sells for approximately $31.25, though prices fluctuate based on market demand. SRECs have a three-year lifespan, so credits earned in 2025 can be sold anytime through 2027. 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 and registered in the Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS), you can begin earning and selling your credits. Pennsylvania SRECs can also be sold in Ohio, expanding your market opportunities.
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, that extra energy flows to the electric grid and you receive a 1:1 credit on your electric bill – meaning you get full retail rate credit for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you contribute. This credit system is available across all major Pennsylvania utilities including PECO, Duquesne, PPL, and others.
The financial benefit varies by utility company, with excess credits typically valued between 8-12 cents per kWh when cashed out annually. Your monthly credits can roll over throughout the year, but each utility conducts an annual “true-up” period (usually in May or June) where any remaining excess credits are paid out at the utility’s wholesale rate and your account resets to zero. For example, PECO pays out excess credits at around 8-9 cents per kWh during their May billing cycle, while PPL pays around 10-12 cents per kWh in June. This system helps maximize your solar savings by ensuring you receive credit for all the clean energy your system produces, even when you generate more than you use.
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, but modern solar panels work efficiently even on overcast days, making solar a smart investment here.
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
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to show you something exciting: your Pittsburgh neighbors are embracing clean energy! Explore this interactive map to discover which communities near you have made the switch to solar.
Leasing Solar Panels
Pittsburgh homeowners have access to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through all major utility providers, including Duquesne Light and West Penn Power. With a PPA, you pay only for the solar electricity your system generates at a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour, typically lower than your current utility rate.
Unlike cash purchases, PPAs require no upfront investment and include system maintenance, monitoring, and repairs. This means you start saving immediately without the responsibility of system upkeep or the need to recover installation costs over time.
Compare your options with our solar financing guide or explore our LightReach program designed specifically for homeowners who want solar savings without ownership responsibilities.
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. Modern solar panels work efficiently even on overcast days, and Pennsylvania’s electricity rates have risen 31% since 2020, making solar increasingly attractive.
With the federal 30% tax credit, Pennsylvania’s SREC program, and net metering, Pittsburgh homeowners typically see 8-year payback periods and over $60,000 in 25-year savings.
Yes, Pittsburgh has net metering through all major utility providers. Duquesne Light, West Penn Power, PPL, and other Pennsylvania utilities offer 1:1 net metering, crediting you full retail rate for excess solar electricity sent to the grid.
Credits roll over monthly but are cashed out annually at wholesale rates (8-12 cents/kWh) during each utility’s true-up period, typically in May or June when accounts reset to zero.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Pittsburgh, PA. Research shows solar panels can boost home values by approximately 4.1%, according to Zillow’s comprehensive study of home sales across the United States.
For Pittsburgh homeowners, this translates to thousands in added equity. Solar installations also make homes more attractive to buyers seeking energy-efficient properties with lower utility costs in Pennsylvania’s rising electricity market.
Solar installation costs in Pittsburgh range from $11,774 to $20,190 after federal tax credits, depending on your home size and energy needs. A typical 7.79 kW system costs around $15,376 after the 30% federal tax credit.
System size varies by home: small homes (up to 2,000 sq ft) need about 5.74 kW, medium homes (2,000-3,000 sq ft) need 7.79 kW, and large homes (over 3,000 sq ft) need 10.53 kW systems.
Solar is financially worth it in Pittsburgh with electricity rates rising 31% since 2020. The typical homeowner saves $138 monthly and $60,592 over 25 years after an 8.2-year payback period.
Federal tax credits cover 30% of installation costs, while Pennsylvania’s SREC program provides ongoing income. With net metering crediting excess power at full retail rates, solar delivers strong returns despite Pittsburgh’s cloudy weather.
We believe Palmetto Solar is the best solar company in Pittsburgh. We’ve completed over 2,131 installations across Pennsylvania since 2020, bringing proven experience to Steel City homeowners.
Our comprehensive service includes some of the industry’s best financing options and a trusted install network. We focus on making solar simple and affordable for Pittsburgh families, with transparent pricing and local expertise you can count on.