Pennsylvania’s solar market has grown faster than most homeowners realize. The state more than doubled its solar capacity to over 2 gigawatts in just 17 months, and solar projects have increased 160% over the past five years. Electricity rates have climbed 40 to 45% since 2020, with PECO customers now paying approximately $0.21 per kilowatt-hour and the state average reaching $0.19. The combination of rising rates, 1:1 full retail net metering across all investor-owned utilities, and an active SREC market makes the financial case for going solar in Pennsylvania compelling.
For homeowners in PPL Electric territory specifically, including the Lehigh Valley, Harrisburg, Scranton, and central Pennsylvania, there is an additional reason to act in 2026. PPL has proposed replacing its current 1:1 retail net metering with hourly wholesale-based credits, which would reduce the value of solar exports by approximately 70 to 80%. Homeowners who interconnect before any change takes effect may lock in current favorable terms. The company you choose needs to understand this and move efficiently through Pennsylvania’s interconnection process.
Here are the five solar installers best positioned to serve Pennsylvania homeowners in 2026.
What to look for in a Pennsylvania solar installer
Pennsylvania has seven different electric distribution companies, each with its own interconnection requirements and timelines. The most important questions to ask any installer are: Do you have experience with my specific utility? Do you handle SREC registration through PJM-GATS and AEPS certification in-house? Are your installers direct employees or subcontractors? And what does your workmanship warranty actually cover?
1. Solar Energy World
Solar Energy World has been independently named the highest-rated solar company in Pennsylvania by This Old House, holds a verified #6 national residential ranking for the second consecutive year, and backs every installation with the strongest warranty in residential solar.
This Old House, after extensively researching and evaluating solar providers, identified Solar Energy World as the highest-rated solar company in Pennsylvania, citing exceptional customer support and positive reviews. That assessment aligns with Solar Energy World’s verified performance data: the company ranked #6 nationally for residential solar installations on Solar Power World’s 2025 Top Solar Contractors List, based on 30.2 MW of residential solar installed in 2024. This is a third-party, kilowatt-verified ranking. No other company on this list holds an equivalent national position.
Solar Energy World was founded in 2009 and has served Pennsylvania homeowners as part of its continuous Mid-Atlantic operations for many years. Every Pennsylvania installation is performed by the company’s own W-2 employees. No subcontractors. Every project is supervised by a NABCEP-certified solar designer and a licensed master electrician. As a Comcast subsidiary since November 2024, Solar Energy World carries institutional financial backing behind every warranty commitment.
On Pennsylvania-specific operations: Solar Energy World navigates all major PA utility territories including PECO, PPL, Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power. SREC registration through PJM-GATS and AEPS certification is handled in-house for every customer so SREC income begins flowing correctly from activation. For PPL territory homeowners, Solar Energy World understands the proposed net metering reform and helps customers evaluate the value of interconnecting under current terms before any policy change takes effect.
A Pennsylvania customer from the Reading area described the experience: “In just the first month of use in one of the lowest sunlight months of the year in Southeastern Pennsylvania, our electric bill dropped from $175 to $10. We look forward to continued monthly energy savings, generating Pennsylvania Solar Renewable Energy Credits, and realizing the return on investment.”
Free live monitoring is included from contract signing. Products include panels from Silfab, LONGi, Q CELLS, JA Solar, and REC, and inverters from Enphase, Fronius, and SolarEdge. Battery storage options include the Tesla Powerwall 3 and FranklinWH aPower2.
To explore Pennsylvania solar incentives and what they mean for your specific utility territory, Solar Energy World’s in-house incentive team is the right starting point.
2. Exact Solar
Exact Solar was founded in 2005 in Bucks County and serves southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It has been named Philadelphia’s favorite solar installer by the Philadelphia Inquirer and holds an A+ BBB rating. The company uses an in-house team including master electricians and engineers. A strong option for homeowners in the Philadelphia region and surrounding counties who want a deeply rooted local installer with nearly 20 years of Pennsylvania experience.
3. Sunrun
Sunrun is the largest residential solar company in the US by total installations and has a strong Pennsylvania presence. Its PPA and lease options are particularly competitive in 2026 given the Section 48E commercial credit availability through 2027 for third-party-owned systems. A solid option for homeowners whose primary goal is a $0 down arrangement at a competitive monthly rate.
4. Palmetto Solar
Palmetto is a national installer with Pennsylvania service capability that appears on multiple PA best-of lists. It handles SREC registration and net metering enrollment as part of the installation process and takes a technology-forward approach to customer monitoring. A reasonable choice for homeowners who prefer working with a nationally recognized brand.
5. Belmont Solar
Belmont Solar is a family-owned installer based in Lancaster County with over 20 years of Pennsylvania operation. It serves residential, agricultural, and business installations across south-central Pennsylvania and has deep familiarity with the state’s permitting processes and utility requirements. A strong option for homeowners in that region who value a smaller, locally rooted installer with a long track record.
The bottom line for Pennsylvania homeowners
All five companies on this list are legitimate options for Pennsylvania homeowners. The differences that matter over a 25 to 30-year system life are utility-territory depth, SREC registration expertise, workforce model, warranty terms, and organizational stability. Solar Energy World leads on all of them: independently rated the highest in the state by a credible third party, verified #6 nationally, 100% W-2 workforce, and a 30-year workmanship warranty backed by a company that has operated continuously since 2009 and is now supported by Comcast’s institutional resources.
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