Solar in your state
With so many solar companies to choose from, we know how daunting it can be to find an installer you can trust with your home’s solar system. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best solar companies in Pennsylvania, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and Pennsylvania residents who’ve already gone solar.
We look for solar companies with owners who understand that when they sell you a solar system, you expect them to be there for the next 25 years to fix any issues that may arise. Here are the top companies we recommend for solar in Pennsylvania:
Company Description
We believe there is an opportunity to build a new kind of solar company from the ground up, utilizing the lessons of the previous decade with the tools of today to build a premier solar installation business that will propel into the 2020’s and beyond. Our tea...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
7 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Litigation and background
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
9 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
4 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
4 / 5
Company size and location
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
5 / 5
Transparency about reputation
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
5 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
5 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Negatives:
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Ali E. | Baltimore, MD | 01-03-2025
Excellent Experience
Lumina Solar did a great job throughout the process of design and installation of solar panels. The company's staff, particularly Andrew Cimino, were very professional and helpful and kept the project on track and on time. I highly recommend Lumina Solar.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
charles grebe | , PA | 09-06-2024
worse decision i ever made
paying two times as much for electric than before, called rep, took a bad review on here to get a return call, asked for different paperwork, had that over a month now with no call back, called today again with no answer, these people are bad to deal with in my opinion, they need to get this stuff off my roof and stuff it up you know where, not one bit of truth to what the rep told me, lumina is no good, seems all bad reveiws get lost, i,m thinking they write their own , i,v talked to other customers of theirs with the same experiance as i,m having
See full reviewCompany Description
Venture Solar is the highest quality residential installer in the Northeast servicing New York, Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. We take pride in the quality of our installations and ...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
9 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Litigation and background
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
6 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
4 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
5 / 5
Transparency about reputation
3 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
5 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Negatives:
2 / 5
Company size and location
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Bill M | Hicksville, NY | 11-23-2024
Peace of mind
Myexperienc was gratifying with the explanations from Jose please allow him to explain solar to you Inlhis way you will be pleased with his explanation of solar power a great experience one of the best of them try it you will like it -bill M.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Aftab Ahmad | , NH | 12-07-2024
House owner
I have very bad experience with them they lie to me before signing the contract one of their vp Came my home his name Ryan henck to explain me about solar and you will get one solar bill nothing else and I repeat asked several time are you sure just one bill nothing else utility bill he said yes now after installation system start running up to that the whole crew was very good now Ian getting two bills I called several their phone numbers no one answer me couple time they answer then after that they disappeared they are cheater try to get contract make you too excited I don’t appreciate their business they are crook
See full reviewCompany Description
PosiGen is working to implement solar power for all. We want solar to be affordable and easy to access, especially for underserved communities. By making solar more accessible through our solar leasing program, we are making it possible for families in these c...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Good
Rating breakdown
Positives:
9 / 10
Time in business
6 / 10
Litigation and background
4 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
Negatives:
4 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
5 / 10
Profitability of installer
2 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
1 / 5
Company size and location
2 / 10
Quality of brands sold
1 / 5
Vertical integration
2 / 5
Transparency about reputation
2 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
1 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
2 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Latest Bad Review
Randy Proctor | Baton Rouge, LA | 12-10-2024
Costume services
At first position was really good to us. But that all changed now we have water leaking down the conduit into our basement and they have not returned a single call. In the past 2 Months, though we have had photographs and videos showing the damage. They still say it is not their fault. I am on the verge of taking legal actions against this company.
See full reviewBest solar installers in Pennsylvania
Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lumina | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
Venture Home Solar, LLC | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
PosiGen Developer, LLC | Good | - | Get Quote | |
TerraSol Energies, Inc. | Unrated | Chadds Ford | Get Quote | |
Paradise Energy Solutions | Excellent | Paradise | Get Quote | |
Exact Solar | Elite | Newtown | Get Quote | |
Evoke Solar, Inc. | Unrated | Hellertown | Get Quote |
Best solar companies for home battery installations in Pennsylvania
Batteries have become increasingly popular because they take an intermittent energy source like solar and turn it into a reliable and consistent supply of electricity. We recommend getting a solar battery quote if you want a backup power source or if your utility company doesn’t have a net metering program that buys excess solar energy at the full price of power, as you could save a little extra on your electric bill.
In Pennsylvania, the law states that all utility companies must offer full-retail net metering to customers, meaning a solar battery won’t save you additional money on your electric bills. However, solar energy storage can still be worth it for customers who want backup power during an outage.
Here are some Pennsylvania companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:
Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|
Savkat Solar | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
Public Service Solar | Excellent | - | Get Quote | |
Bright Eye Solar | Unrated | Lancaster | Get Quote | |
Energy Independent Solutions (EIS Solar) | Unrated | Pittsburgh | Get Quote | |
Keystone Renewable Energy Solutions | Unrated | Center Valley | Get Quote |
How to find the best solar panel company near you
Picking a solar company is the most important decision you make when going solar. You need to trust them to drill holes in your roof, help you navigate financing and incentives and provide you with 25+ years of customer service.
Check out this video where our founder, who also founded a successful solar installation company, explains what to look for when choosing the best solar company near you.
Top things to consider when choosing a solar company in Pennsylvania:
Years in business
One of the first things to look at when finding a company is how long they have been in business. We suggest looking for companies that have been around for at least five years, as the longer it has been in business, the more likely it is you’ll have a positive installation experience.
Companies with five or more years of experience will probably have established after-sales service and warranty support. It signals that they aren’t a company in it to make a quick buck; they’re in it for the long haul.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, which is why you should also keep a few other factors in mind.
Licenses, insurance and certifications
Solar companies that are licensed, insured and hold certifications take their business seriously. Look for companies that have NABCEP Certified professionals or certified electricians on staff and are properly insured, so their workers, and you, are protected.
Pennsylvania requires solar installers to become EAA-Certified in photovoltaics. Getting this certification requires passing courses that involve mandatory training hours and exams. Licensed electricians or electrical engineers can also apply for this certification.
Financing options
Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a solar panel installation. So, you’ll want to find a company with solar financing options that work for you. Ask for quotes for various types of financing plans to see which one will work best for your budget. Solar loans are often your next best choice if you can’t pay in cash. But, if you don’t pay federal income taxes or can’t qualify for a loan, finding a company that offers solar leases or power purchase agreements might be the right move.
Services and products offered
Don’t choose a company that can’t complete the job that you want to be done. If you need an energy storage system, get quotes from companies that install batteries! Maybe you want a particular brand of panels or an electric vehicle charger installation. Ask the company if they provide those services or carry those brands so you don’t have to settle for less.
Customer review scores
Customer ratings give valuable insight into how a solar company actually operates and treats its customers. Read SolarReviews, Google and Yelp reviews to understand the company’s installation process, sales practices and overall customer service. But remember that some companies incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, so make sure you read reviews with some scrutiny.
Warranty
Any reputable solar installation company will offer a workmanship or labor warranty that covers any damages that may occur during the installation process. We recommend using an installer with at least a ten-year labor warranty.
Some installation companies, like SunPower, include a system performance guarantee. This promises you’ll get a certain amount of electricity from your solar panels and is an excellent added protection.
Pennsylvania incentives and rebates
Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in Pennsylvania by thousands of dollars. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal solar tax credit, available to any taxpayer in the country when they purchase solar panels or battery storage.
Some states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in Pennsylvania:
Incentive | Eligibility | Type |
---|---|---|
Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
Solar Alternative Energy Credits | State | SREC Program |
Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
How much can you save with solar incentives?
What to look for in solar quotes in Pennsylvania
Once you’ve found a few companies you like, you can start getting solar quotes. You can get a better deal when you get quotes from multiple solar installers; we suggest getting at least three quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for comparing quotes and what questions you should ask installers.
System size and energy production
All solar quotes should include the size of the system and how much energy it is projected to produce. Most of the quotes you get will probably be in the same ballpark. But, if one is drastically larger or smaller than the others — ask about it! Maybe one installer included shading from a tree, while another based its estimates on having that tree removed.
Pennsylvania experiences all four seasons in full force, so you’ll generally see your solar system producing the most energy in the summer months. Although Pennsylvania gets fewer sunny days than places like Arizona, it’s still a great place to go solar – you might just need a few more solar panels to cover your energy consumption.
If you choose reliable installers, you can trust that these estimates will be as accurate as possible. But you can always double-check using the SolarReviews solar calculator and enter the information received in your quotes.
Pricing
You should know as much as possible about how much the solar panels cost. Make sure you know both the total cost of the system and the price per watt of solar installed. The cost per watt makes it easier to compare prices between quotes and gives you a better idea of how fairly the system is priced. The average price of solar is about $1.9 to $2.86 per watt in Pennsylvania, so anything in that range is a fair price.
Financing
Financing is one of the most important things to look for in your solar quote. There are a few different things to keep an eye out for, depending on what type of solar financing you’re using.
If you’re looking to use a solar loan, you should ask the company for both a cash quote and the financed quote. Solar loans include something called dealer fees, which can sometimes add 20% or more to the total cost of your system in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s worth comparing what dealer fees and interest rates you’re quoted from different companies to get the best deal possible.
If you want a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you’ll want to look for an escalator clause in the contract. The escalator clause outlines how much your payments will go up every year. Ideally, this should be lower than the rate at which electric prices increase in your area, typically about 3% annually. If the escalator rate is higher than this, you could end up paying more than if you hadn’t gone solar at all!
Payback period
Some quotes may include when you’ll break even, meaning when your panels have saved as much as you spent on them. If it’s not explicitly listed on the quote, you can compare any savings estimates they provide to the system’s total price and get a rough estimate of when your panels will pay themselves off. The shorter the payback period, the better.
Equipment
Good quality solar installers will carry good quality equipment. So if you pick an installer you trust, you can expect reliable products. But, it can’t hurt to research and ask the installer questions about what would be going on your roof.
Most solar panels installed today are about 400 watts in size and have efficiency ratings above 19%. Higher wattage and efficiency panels can produce slightly more electricity but may add a price premium. You’ll want to make sure the solar panels have the industry standard 25-year product and performance warranties.
Frequently asked questions about solar in Pennsylvania
How much do solar panels cost in Pennsylvania?
How much can solar panels save in Pennsylvania?
Do I need a solar battery in Pennsylvania?
How can you pay for solar panels in Pennsylvania?
What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in Pennsylvania?
What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in Pennsylvania?
How SolarReviews rates installers
SolarReviews developed our Expert Rating criteria to make it easier for homeowners to find solar companies they can trust. It’s not just about the consumer reviews or the products they sell — it’s about how they treat their employees, how they support their customers and whether they run an honest business.
We used our team’s extensive knowledge of the solar industry to create a data-based scoring system for rating solar companies that encompasses all of the most important things to consider when picking the best solar company, including:
- Background checks
- Licenses and insurance
- Profitability
- Consumer reviews
- Local service
- Brand quality
- Vertical integration
- Transparency
- Loan options
- Responsible pricing
Learn more about the SolarReviews Expert Rating System
Andy is arguably the most qualified rooftop solar expert in America. He is in a unique position, having founded a large solar company but now being independent of any particular company. He has appeared on CNBC, has been referenced in public hearings concerning the rooftop solar industry ( such as the recent CPUC NEM 3 decision) and has been referenced by many major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many others.