Independent solar advice in Harrisburg
PPL and Met-Ed split utility area. NM change pending July 2026. Submit PE-stamped plans for 5-day permit. Lock in 10-year 1:1 credits.
The federal residential solar tax credit ended on December 31, 2025. We tell you the truth about what is left in 2026: which state programs still apply, and which financing paths can still capture federal value.
Electricity rate as of 2026-06-01. Sun hours: NREL PVWatts annual average, Harrisburg central PA fixed tilt; central PA benefits from fewer lake-effect clouds than Erie. Cost per watt: EnergySage 2026, Harrisburg Dauphin County; $2.67/W average cited; typical 12.64 kW system approximately $33,725. Payback estimate assumes zero federal residential credit (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025) and current utility net-metering tariffs.
Your utility determines your savings
Harrisburg is a split-utility metro. PPL Electric Utilities serves Harrisburg city, most of Dauphin County (including Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, and Carlisle in Cumberland County). Met-Ed (FirstEnergy) serves the western fringe. PPL's proposed net metering change is pending approximately July 2026 with 10-year grandfathering. Met-Ed's DSP-VII change is pending June 2027 with only 3-year grandfathering. Verify your utility by street address before planning a system.
LADWP is a municipal utility exempt from the CPUC's NEM 3.0 mandate. Customers retain full retail 1:1 net energy metering. Every kilowatt-hour your solar system exports to the grid is credited at the retail rate you pay, estimated at 22 to 37 cents per kWh depending on usage tier.
Export credit: approximately 22 to 37 cents/kWh
Full retail 1:1 NEM. Verify at ladwp.com. Rate as of June 2026.
SCE customers are on the NEM 3.0 Solar Billing Plan, which took effect for new interconnections after April 2023. Under NEM 3.0, solar exports earn only 5 to 8 cents per kWh -- roughly 75 to 80 percent less than the retail rate. Battery storage becomes significantly more valuable for SCE customers: stored solar used during peak TOU hours at 35 to 40 cents per kWh avoids the most expensive grid purchases.
Export credit: approximately 5 to 8 cents/kWh (NEM 3.0)
Solar Billing Plan. Verify at sce.com/nem. Battery storage recommended for SCE territory.
Your address determines your utility. Look up your utility at ladwp.com or sce.com before reviewing any solar proposal. The net-metering difference affects your estimated annual savings by $1,000 to $1,500 on a typical 8 to 9 kW system.
Available programs
Federal residential solar credit (Section 25D): expired. The Section 25D residential investment tax credit expired December 31, 2025. The residential credit rate is 0%. State and local incentives below may still significantly reduce your net system cost. Commercial systems still qualify for Section 48E (30%).
| Program | Benefit | Eligibility | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPL Net Metering Grandfathering Window (CRITICAL, time-sensitive) Local/State Incentive Funding is limited. Verify availability before signing. | PPL customers with Permission to Operate before approximately July 2026 tariff change may lock in 10-year grandfathered 1:1 credits at Price to Compare rate through December 31, 2036 (for 140 MW under the settlement). Subject to PA PUC approval. Harrisburg's 15-business-day standard permit makes starting immediately essential. Submit PE-stamped plans for 5-day review. Verify settlement status with PA PUC. | PPL customers in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, and most of Cumberland County who interconnect before the July 2026 tariff effective date | Limited | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| Met-Ed (FirstEnergy) DSP-VII Grandfathering (western fringe) Local/State Incentive | Met-Ed territory customers with existing solar (pre-June 2027) may qualify for 3-year grandfathering at retail PTC rate after the proposed NM change effective June 2027. Subject to PA PUC ruling expected by end of 2026. Intervenors arguing for longer grandfathering. 3-year grandfathering is much shorter than PPL's proposed 10 years. | Met-Ed customers in western Harrisburg metro fringe who interconnect before proposed June 2027 effective date | Limited | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| PA Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) Local/State Incentive | $22-$40 per SREC (1 SREC per MWh generated). A 12.6 kW Harrisburg system generates 12-15 SRECs/year worth $264-$600 annually. | All PA grid-tied residential solar | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| PA HEELP Loan (PA Housing Finance Agency) Local/State Incentive | 1% fixed-rate loan $1,000-$10,000 for home energy improvements. | PA homeowners; income limits may apply | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| PPL Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) Local/State Incentive | Low-interest loans and grants for commercial, nonprofit, and municipal solar in PPL territory. | Commercial, nonprofit, and municipal applicants in PPL service territory; not residential | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| PA Solar Energy Program (SEP) via DCED Local/State Incentive | Grants up to $1.50/W (max $1M) and loans up to $3.00/W (max $5M) for eligible commercial, municipal, and nonprofit applicants in Harrisburg/Dauphin County. $100 application fee. SREC transfer required for grant recipients. | Commercial, municipal, and nonprofit applicants in Dauphin County | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
Data last verified June 29, 2026. Incentive programs change; verify current amounts and availability at dsireusa.org (opens in new tab) before committing to a project.
Why Harrisburg homeowners are moving now
Harrisburg has one of the stronger payback profiles in Pennsylvania: 4.6 peak sun hours (second-best in this PA research), approximately $2.67-$2.75/W install cost (below PA average), and a 19-20 cents/kWh PPL rate with estimated 25-year savings of approximately $66,000-$71,593 per Palmetto and EnergySage data. The PPL NM change pending July 2026 creates urgency; Harrisburg's slower 15-business-day standard permit (5 days with PE stamp submitted) makes starting immediately more critical here than in faster-permitting PA cities. Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg in Cumberland County offer newer construction with south-facing gable roofs and above-average household incomes.
Source: PPL rate case settlement March 2026; net metering change pending July 2026; Dauphin County 89 city installations as of 2026 (2026).
Illustrative example
Zero federal residential credit applied (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025). Figures are estimates based on market data as of 2026-06-29. Your numbers depend on your roof, your utility, and your bill.
Harrisburg combines a lower install cost ($2.67-$2.75/W) with 4.6 PSH and the PPL NM grandfathering opportunity. Note: 6% PA sales tax adds approximately $2,080 on equipment and labor. Submit PE-stamped plans to get the 5-business-day permit track instead of the 15-day standard. SREC income adds $264-$600/year. Estimated 25-year savings of approximately $66,000-$71,593 per Palmetto and EnergySage data. No federal residential credit in 2026.
Ready to see what solar works out to for your Harrisburg home?
A free in-home assessment reviews your utility bill, your roof, your options, and every available incentive for your address. No pressure. No shared leads.
Neighborhoods we serve
Established solar saturation; higher installers per block, active neighbor referrals, and permit history at LADBS.
Designated disadvantaged communities (DAC) eligible for SGIP equity resiliency, DAC-SASH, and other income-qualified programs. Income verification required.
Permitting and interconnection
CRITICAL FOR DEADLINE: Harrisburg has the slowest standard permit review of the PA cities researched (15 business days without PE stamp). Submit PE-stamped plans on the first application to hit the 5-business-day track. With the PPL NM change pending approximately July 2026 and a 7-12 week total timeline, there is virtually no margin - start immediately. Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg in Cumberland County (PPL territory) have newer construction with better roof characteristics than Harrisburg city proper. Dauphin County GATS data shows 89 installations (1,904 kW) within Harrisburg city limits and 1,039+ installations generating 196+ MW countywide as of 2026.
Your local Harrisburg advisor
[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial from Camp Hill homeowner who expedited permit with PE stamp and interconnected before PPL deadline]
System: 12 kW rooftop solar, PPL territory, PE-stamped 5-day permit
[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial from Mechanicsburg homeowner mentioning SREC income and PPL net metering]
System: 11 kW rooftop solar, PPL territory, PA SRECs
[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial from Harrisburg city homeowner on solar decision and PPL rate increases]
System: 10 kW rooftop solar, PPL territory
For business owners and property managers
Harrisburg's state government buildings, nonprofits, and commercial sector can access the PA Solar Energy Program (SEP) via DCED for grants (up to $1.50/W) and loans (up to $3.00/W), and PPL Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) loans. PA SRECs and PPL 1:1 net metering apply to commercial systems. The federal 48E commercial credit requires construction to begin by July 4, 2026. Dauphin County GATS data shows 196+ MW of solar installations countywide as of 2026, signaling a maturing commercial market.
See commercial solar optionsCommercial solar projects must begin construction by July 4, 2026 to qualify for the 30 percent Section 48E federal tax credit. After that date, the system must be placed in service by December 31, 2027.
Schedule a Free Commercial AssessmentHarrisburg solar questions
City-specific answers. Every number references your utility and your permit office.
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