Solar Panel Installation in Philadelphia, PA
Local sun, utility rules, permits and installers
Philadelphia has about 1,130 kWh a year per kW of rooftop solar (our estimate). Your utility decides what exported power earns, so see the rules for PECO Energy below, then get quotes.
Philadelphia solar at a glance
Utility rules and programs for Philadelphia
PECO Energy serves homes in Philadelphia.
| Utility | Type | Solar export rule |
|---|---|---|
| PECO Energy Co | investor-owned | PECO’s Rate RS-2 uses two meters, an ‘in’ meter and an ‘out’ meter, and PECO credits up to $400 toward the second meter board (per its policy sheet). Credits follow the statewide rule with a yearly cash-out; an optional time-of-use rate is available to default-service customers with a smart meter. We found no PECO change to its solar credit. |
Program details are from each utility’s own pages (read October 2026). See the Pennsylvania incentives table for statewide credits and a status for every program.
Permits and approvals in Philadelphia
- Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I): permit information
- The city offers an EZ solar permit for some projects, which needs no building permit or plans; other projects need both an electrical and a building permit with plans. Applications go online through eClipSE, and a PECO interconnection application is submitted first.
- The utility must approve the connection before you switch on: PECO solar for home and business · your own utility’s interconnection page.
- Check any contractor on the Pennsylvania Attorney General contractor registration search before you sign.
- We found no enacted Pennsylvania law that protects your right to install solar against an HOA, so your deed restrictions and HOA rules apply; House Bill 1239 passed the House on July 1, 2026 and still needs the Senate (law firm summary); get written approval before you sign.
Fees and steps change; confirm with the office before you start. We have not verified timelines for Philadelphia.
Costs and savings
We do not have verified installed prices for Philadelphia alone. The Pennsylvania figures above show what to expect; real quotes depend on your home, equipment and installer. Try the solar savings calculator, and get at least two written quotes.
Choosing an installer
- License: check the contractor on the Pennsylvania Attorney General contractor registration search and that the license covers this work.
- Quote: ask for an itemized written quote that names the equipment, warranties and who pulls the permit and handles the utility approval.
- Compare: get two or three quotes and compare them line by line, not only the total.
Get solar quotes in Philadelphia
Tell us about your project in Philadelphia. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area. It is free, with no obligation, and nothing is shared with an installer unless you choose one.
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Solar Panel Installation in Philadelphia FAQs
Is solar worth it in Philadelphia?
The sun is strong (about 1,130 kWh a year per kW, our estimate), but export credits are low, so solar pays most when sized to what you use at home or paired with a battery. See the Pennsylvania incentives for the state credit.
Is there a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The federal 25D credit ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025. Pennsylvania has no state solar tax credit that we could confirm, and the Department of Revenue’s sales tax bulletin says home solar does not qualify for the exemption for electricity-producing equipment.
Do I need a permit for solar panels in Philadelphia?
Usually yes, and the utility may need to approve solar and batteries. Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I) handles permits in Philadelphia; see the permit information above.
How do I find a licensed installer in Philadelphia?
Use the quote button on this page. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area; you can check any contractor on the Pennsylvania Attorney General contractor registration search.
Sources: sunshine and climate NASA POWER; hazards FEMA National Risk Index; utility numbers EIA-861 (2024); prices EnergySage (October 2026) and Generac (U.S.); credits IRS and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue; permit information from the city or town’s own page; utility programs from each utility’s own pages (October 2026). General information, not financial, tax, legal or electrical advice. See our editorial policy.
Where to buy
Amazon shows many brands. Use the checklist to compare them.
What to check before you buy:
- Rated watts and connector type match your power station
- Folding panels: weight and weather rating are listed
- Reviews from people using it for the same job