Sunwise Energy provides residential and commercial solar installation across Lehigh County, serving homeowners and businesses in Allentown, Bethlehem, Whitehall Township, Emmaus, Lower Macungie, Upper Macungie, and communities throughout the Lehigh Valley. From the suburban townships south of the city to the more rural areas near Blue Mountain, we design and install systems built for the region’s housing stock and energy needs. Solar gives Lehigh County homeowners a way to lock in a fixed energy cost while earning income through Pennsylvania’s SREC program.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Utility | PPL Electric Utilities |
| Rate Trend | Rising: 16% generation rate increase in June 2025, ~19-20 cents/kWh all-in |
| PA Incentive 1 | SRECs: $25-$40/credit, sold on open market |
| PA Incentive 2 | Retail-rate net metering (PPL) |
| Sales Tax | 6% state sales tax applies to solar equipment |
| Property Tax | No solar property tax exemption in PA |
| Equipment | Premium panels + microinverters |
| Permitting | Municipal level (varies by township/borough) |
| Installer | Sunwise Energy, in-house crews, licensed in DE/PA/NJ |
Residential, commercial, and battery storage solutions designed for the Lehigh Valley market.
Nearly half of Lehigh County’s housing consists of detached single-family homes, with a median build year of 1973. These homes typically offer strong south-facing roof exposure and support systems that offset most or all of a household’s PPL bill.
Lehigh County’s economy includes major distribution hubs, manufacturing facilities, and commercial corridors. Business owners can take advantage of the federal Investment Tax Credit (through July 4, 2026), accelerated depreciation, and PA SRECs.
Lehigh County sees its share of severe weather, from summer storms to winter nor’easters that knock out grid power. Pairing solar with a battery keeps your home running during PPL outages and maximizes the value of every kilowatt-hour your system produces.
PPL Electric Utilities serves all of Lehigh County, and residential customers are paying more than ever. PPL’s generation rate rose to 12.953 cents per kWh in December 2025, with the total bill averaging around 19 to 20 cents per kWh when distribution and transmission charges are included. Pennsylvania’s solar incentive stack includes SRECs that generate ongoing income and PPL net metering that credits your excess production at the full retail rate. For business owners, the federal Investment Tax Credit remains available through July 4, 2026.
A Sunwise Energy Specialist evaluates your home’s energy usage, roof condition, and sun exposure. We review your PPL billing history to design a system sized to your actual consumption and walk you through projected savings.
We create a custom system design and handle all permitting. Lehigh County’s municipalities each manage their own building and electrical permits. Sunwise coordinates every submission and inspection so you don’t have to.
Our in-house crews handle the full installation, typically completing residential systems in less than a day. Every system uses premium panels and microinverters for maximum long-term production and reliability.
Once installation passes final inspection, we submit your interconnection application to PPL Electric Utilities. After PPL approves your Permission to Operate, your system goes live.
During your visit, a Sunwise Energy Specialist will:
A consultation is free, pressure-free, and designed to help you understand whether solar truly makes sense for your home.
Sunwise Energy installs solar for homeowners and businesses across every municipality in Lehigh County, from Allentown's urban neighborhoods to the growing suburban townships in the southern part of the valley.
The county seat and Lehigh Valley's largest city, with a mix of rowhomes, older colonials, and newer construction across its neighborhoods.
One of the county's most populated townships, home to the Lehigh Valley Mall corridor and strong residential demand.
Suburban single-family homes with larger lots and excellent roof exposure for solar.
One of the fastest-growing townships in the Lehigh Valley, with a mix of new construction and established developments.
Home to major distribution facilities, industrial parks, and a growing residential base.
A smaller suburban community bordering Allentown with well-maintained mid-century homes.
A walkable borough with older housing stock including Cape Cods and colonials that perform well for solar.
More rural character with larger properties and strong solar potential on open, unshaded lots.
A compact borough along the Lehigh River with a mix of rowhomes and detached single-family homes.
A small borough surrounded by the Lower and Upper Macungie townships with steady residential growth.
Southern Lehigh County borough with suburban character and newer housing developments.
The western portion of Bethlehem falls within Lehigh County, including residential neighborhoods along the city's western edge.
We also provide solar installation throughout the broader Pennsylvania service area. → View all PA locations
The cost of a solar system in Lehigh County depends on your home’s energy usage, roof size, layout, and complexity, so there is no single price. Pennsylvania SRECs and PPL net metering reduce the effective cost over time, and $0-down financing options make solar accessible without upfront investment. Commercial property owners can also take advantage of the federal Investment Tax Credit through July 4, 2026. The best way to get an accurate number is to schedule a free consultation with a Sunwise Energy Specialist.
Yes, PPL Electric Utilities provides retail-rate net metering to all residential and commercial solar customers throughout Lehigh County. When your system produces more electricity than you use, the excess is sent to the grid and you receive credits at the retail rate on your PPL bill. Credits roll forward month to month and are reconciled annually.
Lehigh County homeowners benefit from two primary Pennsylvania solar incentives: Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) worth $25 to $40 per credit, and PPL retail-rate net metering for excess production. Pennsylvania does not offer state sales tax or property tax exemptions for solar, which differs from neighboring New Jersey where both exemptions are available. The federal residential tax credit is no longer available to homeowners. Business owners can claim the federal Investment Tax Credit (Section 48E) through July 4, 2026.
Yes, solar installations in Lehigh County require building and electrical permits handled at the municipal level, with each township and borough managing its own process. Requirements vary between Allentown, Whitehall Township, Lower Macungie, Emmaus, and other municipalities. Sunwise handles all permit applications, inspections, and coordination with local building departments on your behalf.
Yes, solar is a strong investment for Lehigh County homeowners at current PPL rates of approximately 19 to 20 cents per kWh all-in. PPL has raised its generation rate multiple times in the past two years, with a 16 percent increase in June 2025 alone. Solar locks in a fixed energy cost and protects you from continued rate increases, making it one of the strongest financial cases for solar in Pennsylvania right now.
Yes, most older Lehigh Valley homes built from the 1950s through 1980s are well suited for solar thanks to their straightforward roof geometries and strong sun exposure. During your consultation, a Sunwise specialist will assess your roof’s condition, angle, and sun exposure. If your roof needs replacement first, Sunwise offers a bundled roof-and-solar installation that saves time and money compared to handling them separately.
Schedule a free consultation with Sunwise Energy. We’ll assess your home, design a custom system, and walk you through your savings with a dedicated in-house team from start to finish.
$0-down financing, loan, and lease options available. NJ's SuSI program ($85/MWh for 15 years), property tax exemption, and sales tax exemption make going solar more affordable than ever.
