Pittsburgh, PA Solar Panels: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Pittsburgh
If you live in Pittsburgh and have watched your electricity bill climb, you’re not alone. Pennsylvania electricity prices have increased 31% from 2020 to 2024, leaving many homeowners searching for a more stable, affordable option. Solar installation offers a practical path forward.
At Palmetto, we make solar simple to understand. This guide covers what solar installation looks like in Pittsburgh, from local weather to how the process works. To start with the basics, explore our guide on home solar panels.
PENNSYLVANIA by the Numbers
13th Most residential solar in the United States
68 Households have installed solar panels
4.3 Avg peak sun hours per day
~$73k Pittsburgh average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Pittsburgh, PA?
Curious what solar really costs in Pittsburgh? This calculator uses our firsthand installation data from across the region—including Mount Lebanon, Shadyside, Bethel Park, and Squirrel Hill—to give you a clear, local estimate. No guesswork, just real numbers from real homes near you.
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment
System Cost
$26,082
Price per Watt
$2.77
Final Cost
$26,082
Savings
Your total financial benefit
Monthly Savings
Average utility bill reduction
$167
Payback Period
Break-even point
11.0 years
25-Year Savings
$72,889
Key Takeaways
- Pittsburgh electricity prices rose about 29% from 2021 to 2024, so solar can help you lock in more predictable energy costs for decades.
- A typical Pittsburgh home can save around $73,000 over 25 years with solar, even though the payback period averages about 11 years.
- Pennsylvania offers strong local incentives like SRECs, 1-to-1 net metering, and a sales tax exemption—plus leasing options with no upfront cost.
Pittsburgh Electricity Prices
If your Pittsburgh energy bill keeps growing, you’re not imagining it. Here’s what local electricity prices reveal—and why solar is worth understanding.
Pennsylvania electricity prices climbed from 13.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 17.8 cents in 2024—about a 29% increase—staying consistently above the national average for most of those years.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
0¢
10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
13.8¢
15.0¢
15.9¢
16.0¢
18.1¢
16.5¢
17.8¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Area Utility Providers
In Pittsburgh, most homes get power from Duquesne Light. In 2023, its rate was 22.1¢ per kWh—well above both the state average of 18.10¢ and the national average of 16.0¢.
Pittsburgh Utilities Electricity Rates
| Utility | Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Duquesne Light | 22.10¢ | +38% |
| PA Average | 18.10¢ | +13% |
| US Average | 16.0¢ | — |
Pennsylvania Solar Incentives
Pittsburgh homeowners can tap several solar incentives in Pennsylvania to lower the cost of going solar and make the switch more affordable.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) | SREC | Pennsylvania solar system owners earn one tradeable SREC for every 1,000 kWh of electricity generated, which can be sold for $25–$40 each to utilities needing to meet clean energy requirements. | Learn More |
| Pennsylvania Net Metering (1-to-1 Retail Rate) | Net Metering | Required to offer 1-to-1 net metering, crediting residential solar customers at the full retail rate for excess electricity. | Learn More |
| Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Funds (SEF) | Rebate | Provides low-interest loans and grants to help close financing gaps for solar projects. | Learn More |
| Pennsylvania Sales Tax Exemption for Solar Energy Systems | Sales Tax Exemption | Solar energy systems are exempt from the state’s 6% sales and use tax, reducing the upfront purchase cost of going solar. | Learn More |
Pittsburgh 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.
Solar Production in Pittsburgh by Month
| Month | Avg Production (kWh/day) |
|---|---|
| July | 44.1 |
| December | 16.3 |
| Annual | 11,917 |
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
- Powers 2.9 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- 14 hours of central AC
- Fully charges 4.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
- Powers 1.1 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- 8 hours of home heating system
- Fully charges 1.6 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Pittsburgh, PA have net metering? Yes, Pittsburgh homes served by Duquesne Light (DLC) qualify for 1-to-1 net metering.
- Do solar panels increase your home value in Pittsburgh, PA? Yes, owned solar panels can raise your home’s value by about 4.1%.
- How much does it cost to go solar in Pittsburgh, PA? A cash purchase for an average home runs about $26,000.
- How does leasing solar work? Under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), you pay for the solar power produced without a large investment.