Solar Worth-It Calculator
Is solar worth it in Pennsylvania in 2026?
Updated October 2026 · Built by a Pennsylvania homeowner
Short answer: often yes, if the price is fair. A typical 8 kW system on a home with a $200 monthly bill pays back in about 10.3 years at Pennsylvania's average price of $2.60/W, versus about 13.3 years at $3.00/W — and the federal tax credit no longer helps. Full-retail net metering is the main reason Pennsylvania still works.
What a typical Pennsylvania system looks like
| Price per watt | 8 kW cash price | Payback | 25-year net | Value today (5%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2.40/W | $19,200 | 9.5 years | $26,800 | $7,165 |
| $2.60/W (state avg) | $20,800 | 10.3 years | $25,200 | $5,565 |
| $3.00/W | $24,000 | 13.3 years | $22,000 | $2,365 |
| $3.40/W | $27,200 | 14.9 years | $18,800 | -$835 |
Assumes 22¢/kWh, 1,200 kWh per kW per year, $200/month bill (solar covers about 88% of use), 50% used at home, full-retail export credit, $50/yr upkeep, $2,500 inverter in year 13, 0.5%/yr panel loss and no electricity price increases. Illustrative only.
How net metering works in Pennsylvania
- Full-retail credits: each kWh you send to the grid earns a kWh credit at the full retail rate.
- Monthly rollover: unused credits carry forward to later months, so summer surplus offsets winter bills.
- Yearly true-up: at the end of each 12-month billing year, leftover credits are paid at the utility's price to compare (generation and transmission only). PECO's residential price to compare is about 11.6¢/kWh from June 2026 — roughly half the retail rate.
- What it means: size your system to cover up to about 100% of your yearly use. Panels beyond that earn only about half the value.
- Residential systems can be up to 50 kW.
Electricity rates and prices
Pennsylvania's average residential electricity price was about 21.7¢/kWh in June 2026 (EIA), and PECO's price to compare rose from 11.0¢ to 11.6¢ in mid-2026. Higher rates shorten payback. On the cost side, EnergySage's 2026 data puts the Pennsylvania average at about $2.60 per watt before incentives.
Tax credits and incentives
The 30% federal homeowner credit is gone for systems installed in 2026: the IRS says it isn't available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Leases and PPAs may still carry a business credit claimed by the owning company — see buy vs. lease. In our October 2026 review we didn't find a statewide cash rebate for homeowner solar in Pennsylvania; check DSIRE and your utility for local programs.
Before you sign with a Pennsylvania installer
- Get the cash price per watt and compare it with the $2.60/W state average.
- Ask for the annual production estimate (kWh) and check it isn't larger than your yearly use.
- Confirm who handles PECO, PPL or Duquesne interconnection and permits.
- Ask when your utility's 12-month true-up happens and how it's paid.
- Check panel and inverter warranties, including labor, and roof condition.
Pennsylvania solar FAQ
Can I still get the 30% solar tax credit in Pennsylvania?
Not for a system you own that's installed in 2026. The IRS says the federal residential clean energy credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Leases and PPAs may still carry a business credit claimed by the owner.
Does Pennsylvania have net metering?
Yes. Utilities such as PECO, PPL and Duquesne credit each kilowatt-hour you export at the full retail rate and roll unused credits forward month to month. At the end of each 12-month billing year, leftover credits are paid at the utility's price to compare, which is roughly half the retail rate.
How long does solar take to pay off in Pennsylvania?
For an 8 kW system on a home with a $200 monthly bill, our model shows about 10.3 years at the state-average price of $2.60 per watt and about 13.3 years at $3.00 per watt, assuming no future rate increases. Your bill, roof and quote will change this.
What's a fair solar price per watt in Pennsylvania?
EnergySage's 2026 data puts the Pennsylvania average at about $2.60 per watt before incentives. Quotes more than about 10% higher (above roughly $2.86 per watt) are worth challenging with competing bids.