PhiladelphiaSolar Incentives 2026: Rebates, Tax Credits & Net Metering
Philadelphia homeowners installing in 2026 cannot claim the federal residential credit. What remains is PECO net metering. At 4.2 peak sun hours a day, a home with a $135/month bill (about 964 kWh) needs roughly a 9.6 kW system — 24 panels — and pays back in about 10.9 years.
Solar Incentives Available in Philadelphia
The federal residential credit does not apply to a Philadelphia system installed in 2026. Pennsylvania does not add a state income tax credit in this dataset. PECO sets the local rules for crediting the solar power you export.
Pennsylvania's solar carve-out means Philadelphia homes earn PA-SRECs on top of PECO net metering.
How Much Solar Philadelphia Homes Produce
Philadelphia gets 4.2 peak sun hours a day, so each 1 kW of panels produces about 1,226 kWh per year here. A 9.6 kW system — the size that fits a typical $135/month PECO bill — generates roughly 11,773 kWh annually, worth about $1,648 in avoided electricity in year one and more as rates rise.
PECO Net Metering in Philadelphia
PECO credits excess solar generation from Philadelphia homes under Pennsylvania's full retail-rate net metering (~100% of retail). A right-sized system can bring net annual electricity costs close to zero. See full Pennsylvania net metering rules →
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Philadelphia?
At Pennsylvania's 2026 average of $2.90/watt, the 9.6 kW system most Philadelphia homes need runs about $27,840 before incentives. The federal residential credit is $0. PA SREC income is included where the state record has it. Net cost in this model is about $20,440, with payback around 10.9 years. Those figures use $0 federal credit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Solar Incentives in Other Pennsylvania Cities
See your exact Philadelphia solar savings
Enter your PECO bill. The calculator uses $0 federal credit plus Pennsylvania incentives — system size, net cost, payback, and 25-year savings.