How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Pennsylvania?

Average Cost to Install Solar Panels in Pennsylvania

Cost of Solar Panels per Watt in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, you’ll pay $2.38 per kilowatt for solar equipment. This means that the average system of 6kW costs $14,300 for the equipment. That includes a battery bank, although you can purchase a battery bank separately from your panels. Solar battery banks cost $300 to $15,000, with prices fluctuating depending on availability. You’ll pay about double that for a professional installation, including all permits, labor, and electrical upgrades.

Pennsylvania Solar Panel Costs by City

The cost of solar panels in PA varies a bit depending on your city. On the high end, Pittsburgh comes in at $39,300, on average, while Harrisburg costs only $18,500. The following costs include all equipment and labor for the solar installation. Pennsylvania solar prices tend to cost about $5,000 more than national solar panel installation costs.

*includes labor and all materials

Philadelphia

The cost of solar panels in Philadelphia, PA averages $30,600. On the extremes, you’ll pay $5,000 to $55,000. That includes all materials, labor, and any other project costs. Philadelphia tends to be near the median of costs for installing solar panels. However, Philadelphia solar panel rebates may become active again, giving homeowners a $0.20 per watt rebate ($200 per kilowatt). 

Pittsburgh

Solar panel costs in Pittsburgh, PA, average $39,300, but you might pay anywhere between $8,000 and $114,200. Pittsburgh is the most expensive location for solar in Pennsylvania. However, it’s entirely possible to eliminate your electricity costs altogether. 

Harrisburg

In Harrisburg, PA, expect to pay $18,500 on average for a solar panel system, including the batteries. However, you might pay anywhere between $17,000 and $21,400, but costs may vary further depending on the system you install. 

Scranton

Scranton, PA, solar panels cost $27,000 on average, with full installation, including labor. You’ll pay anywhere from $18,000 to $36,000. Scranton, PA per kilowatt hour cost for solar tends to be slightly higher than other places in Pennsylvania, possibly due to the cost of living. 

Allentown

In Allentown, PA, you’ll pay $32,100 on average for solar. That includes all labor and materials. You’ll generally pay anywhere from $17,000 to $48,000. However, you’ll likely save about $12,000 over the solar panels’ life. 

Pennsylvania Solar Panel Cost Factors

Cell type, roof pitch, and the brand you choose all play a small role in the price point. However, the range is small enough that you’ll likely find that talking to your installation contractor is the best way to purchase the right brand with the right type of cell for your roof's pitch. 

Cell Type

Solar panel prices range depending on the type you purchase. Below are listed the various types by cost. 

• Highest cost: Monocrystalline solar panels cost about $0.05–$0.10 more than polycrystalline. PERC cells are a type of monocrystalline cell, and they’re more efficient than other types. 

• Moderate cost: Polycrystalline solar panels cost slightly more than thin film panels, but not due to technology. 

• Lowest cost: Thin film panels are easier to install and require less hardware, making them the least expensive option.

Roof Pitch

A roof pitch of 30% is about perfect for a home in Pennsylvania for solar. However, homeowners can use mounts on almost any type of roof pitch to position the panels at the right angle. Expect steep roofs to incur extra fees since your contractor will likely need to install rigging and other safety equipment. 

Panel Brand

The brand of panel you purchase can affect the price. However, you’ll likely find the market is very competitive in terms of price. When you notice a large difference in price between brands, it’s likely more to do with the quality of the product than the brand name.

Installation

Labor costs make up about 20% to 50% of the total solar panel project cost. You’ll have to pay for the installation of the panels, the batteries, and electrical systems that connect it all to your home. Panels only take one day to install. The longest part of an installation is waiting for permit approvals, which can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

Maintenance & Repairs

Solar panel maintenance costs $100 to $350 per visit. It usually consists of simply cleaning the panels and checking all of the connections and wire insulation. You’ll want to get them cleaned regularly since dust and dirt reduce how much energy they can produce. Solar panel repairs cost $300 to $1,300 and usually require replacing panels or brackets.

Inverter Type

Although you’ll pay anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000+ for a solar inverter or $350 and up per panel for microinverters, you might have limited choices. In Pennsylvania, the type of inverter you need might come down to which utility company you choose. 

Some require the use of a smart inverter, which regulates distributed energy resources, like residential solar on a net metering system, which allows returning excess electricity to the public grid. This power regulation helps to keep power fluctuations and other issues from disrupting the public power grid.

Solar Incentives and Rebates in Pennsylvania

There are three rebates in Pennsylvania you’ll want to pay attention to if you install solar panels. One of them is specific to Philadelphia, but the first two are available to any resident of the state of Pennsylvania. 

• If you install Solar PV systems before 2034, you’ll receive a Federal Solar Tax Credit of 30% with no maximum cap. 

• Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) let you earn credits for the amount of energy your system makes. You can then sell your solar credits in the SREC market. 

• In Philadelphia, you can get on a list to receive a $0.20 per watt rebate. Funding ran out, but they are taking applications to put you on a list if funding becomes available again.

Is It Worth Getting Solar Panels in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom of the states for sunlight, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good state for solar; it just means you may need to install more panels to get the light. Most PA residents with solar save around $30,000 over the life of your panels. You can also have a battery bank that stores electricity during peak usage hours. 

• There are an average of 2,600 sunlight hours in Pennsylvania—about 87 clear days per year. 

• In Pennsylvania, you can sell your electricity back to the grid, but the state caps the amount you can sell back to prevent a rise in energy costs. 

• Most often, the panels pay for themselves within 10–20 years. But this varies quite a bit depending on the panel type, system size, and initial cost.