Solar Opportunities - Pennsylvania

Solar Offerings and Incentives

There are a few solar incentives to residents in Pennsylvania. Depending on where you live, you may be able to purchase solar power from your utility. Of course, you can always install solar on your home by hiring a qualified solar installer, even if you don’t live in one of these program areas.  If so, don’t forget to check out the available incentives (see below).

State and Local Incentives

City of Philadelphia - Streamlined Solar Permitting and Fee Reduction   

The City of Philadelphia offers streamlined permitting and fee reduction for solar photovoltaic systems that are less than 10kW on 1 or 2 family residences. This reduces the cost of installation of a solar system. More information can be found here

Solar Alternative Energy Credits

Pennsylvania  homeowners who install solar are issued SAEC’s (called SRECs in other states) which can be sold to utilities who can use them to meet state portfolio standards. More information can be found here

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

A federal-level investment tax credit (ITC) is now available to consumers wanting to purchase small wind turbines, solar panels, or geothermal heat pumps.  The ITC, written into law through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, is available for equipment installed from Oct. 3, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2016. The credit covers 30% of the equipment cost, though some technologies have a credit cap of $2000. More details and a complete list of eligible technologies can be found here.

Local projects

Keystone Solar

This facility  in Lancaster, PA sells power to Exelon Generation and Community Energy who, in turn, off the solar power to customers who sign up for a share of the power.

Eligibility: Exelon Generation or Community Energy Customer

More information can be found here.