Plug-In Solar in Pennsylvania
A House bill addressing kits up to 1,200 watts waits in committee, and the legislature remains in session. Pennsylvania still has no plug-in solar law.
- No plug-in solar law in Pennsylvania yetBill HB 1971
- Utility rules are in effect.There's no cap on plug-in wattage.
- At 21.1 cents.EIA home price average per kWh, Jan to Aug 2026.
- $235 each year.In Philadelphia, an 800 W kit, before any utility solar fee.
In Pennsylvania, your electric utility's approval comes before connection. Use an inverter that is listed to UL 1741 and has anti-islanding, or one listed to UL 3700.
Pennsylvania Plug-In Bills
- HB 1971 (2025): Introduction came on October 27, 2025, and House Energy Committee referral followed on October 28, 2025. The record lists neither votes nor committee meetings. Under the bill's terms, kits up to 1,200 W are covered when they carry UL certification or certification from an equivalent NRTL. They face no interconnection application, agreement, review or fee. Utilities cannot set approval, registration or notice rules, and no net metering or export credit applies to them. Once enacted, the measure would take effect after 60 days. Bill page
Pennsylvania's Rule Right Now
Hooking up: Today's grid-tied systems all go through the PUC interconnection process at the utility. For certified inverter-based systems of up to 10 kW, Level 1 review applies, and the application fee is $100.
Net metering: It exists under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS). PUC rules pay customer-generators for any surplus energy they send to the grid.
Savings from a Kit in Pennsylvania
PVWatts estimates 1,389 kWh a year for each 1 kW of panels in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the rate for Pennsylvania homes is 21.1 cents per kWh in 2026 so far. Where an 800 W kit sits:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,111 | $235 |
| Upright on a railing | 700 | $148 |
| Facing east or west | 889 | $188 |
Philadelphia Month by Month
- Jan72
- Feb85
- Mar103
- Apr107
- May104
- Jun106
- Jul112
- Aug106
- Sep92
- Oct89
- Nov69
- Dec65
kWh from an 800 W kit, tilted south.
Kits and Prices for Pennsylvania
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,639 | $346 | 2.6 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 500 | $106 | 3.9 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,111 | $235 | 4.7 years | $1,099 |
Tilted south, and every kWh used at home. Compare all kits
Key Facts for Pennsylvania
- Retail electric choice exists in Pennsylvania: the PUC operates PAPowerSwitch, letting homes shop for an electric supplier, and Constellation NewEnergy, a supplier, sells the most in the state.
- In 2024, the average home power cost in Pennsylvania was 17.77 cents/kWh, a rate that is mid to high.
Renting or Using a Balcony?
The mount is your landlord's or HOA's call; the hookup is decided by your electric utility. Read about balcony solar and solar for apartments.
Key Utilities
- FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company
- PECO Energy Company
- PPL Electric Utilities Corporation
In Pennsylvania, Here Are Your Next Steps
- Choose a size. In Philadelphia, about 555 kWh a year comes from a 400 W kit, and about 1,666 kWh from a 1,200 W kit. Calculate yours.
- Keep an eye on HB 1971 during the next session. Should it pass, you may no longer need the approval step.
Sources
- House Bill 1971 Information; 2025-2026 Regular Session (PA General Assembly)
- 2025-2026 Regular Session HB 1971 PN 2530 Bill Text (HTM)
- DSIRE: Pennsylvania Interconnection Standards
- AEPS Act | PA PUC
- Electricity - Information for Consumers and Utilities | PA PUC
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables, Pennsylvania 2024
- NREL PVWatts, Philadelphia, plus EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices.
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