Sunwise Energy installs residential and commercial solar systems across Philadelphia, from the rowhome blocks of South Philly and Fishtown to the suburban-style neighborhoods of the Northeast and the commercial corridors of North Broad and the Navy Yard. Combined with Pennsylvania SRECs, PECO net metering, and $0-down financing, going solar in Philadelphia makes financial sense for homeowners and business owners alike. We’ve been installing solar on Philadelphia homes and businesses since day one.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Utility | PECO |
| Rate Trend | Rising: capacity cost phase-ins through December 2026 |
| PA Incentive 1 | SRECs ($25-$40/credit, sold on open market) |
| PA Incentive 2 | Retail-rate net metering (PECO) |
| Sales Tax | 6% state sales tax applies to solar equipment |
| Property Tax | No solar property tax exemption in PA |
| Equipment | Premium panels + microinverters |
| Permitting | Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) |
| Installer | Sunwise Energy, in-house crews, licensed in DE/PA/NJ |
PECO’s all-in residential rate has climbed to approximately 20 cents per kWh as of early 2026, driven by surging capacity costs in the PJM grid, distribution rate increases, and generation supply adjustments. For a household using 800 to 1,000 kWh per month, that translates to $160 to $200 or more in monthly electric bills. Solar lets you generate your own power and reduce what you’re sending to PECO every month. SRECs and PECO net metering create strong long-term value that makes solar a smart investment for Philadelphia homeowners.
From South Philly rowhomes to flat-roof warehouses in the Navy Yard, Sunwise designs systems for Philadelphia’s actual built environment.
Philadelphia is a city of rowhomes, twins, and brick townhouses. Sunwise uses premium high-efficiency panels to maximize output on compact roof areas where every square foot counts.
Philadelphia’s commercial and institutional landscape is massive, from the Navy Yard and North Broad corridor to university campuses and hospital systems across the city. Business owners can capture the 30% federal ITC (through July 4, 2026), accelerated depreciation, and PA SRECs.
Philadelphia’s aging grid infrastructure means outages happen, and when they do, a grid-tied solar system shuts down by default. For homes that need a new roof before panels go up, Sunwise bundles both into a single project.
A Sunwise Energy Specialist visits your home to assess your roof, review your PECO usage history, and calculate projected solar production and savings. We design around your actual energy consumption, not a generic estimate.
Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) handles solar permits through the eCLIPSE online system. Sunwise manages the full application on your behalf.
Our in-house crews install your system, typically in less than a day for a standard residential project. Every installation uses premium high-efficiency panels and microinverters, and our team handles all electrical work, racking, and wiring to meet Philadelphia building and electrical code.
Sunwise coordinates your PECO interconnection application and meter swap. Once PECO grants Permission to Operate (PTO), your system goes live, producing power, earning net metering credits, and generating SRECs.
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. Our team is based in Cherry Hill, just across the Ben Franklin Bridge.
Sunwise Energy installs solar across every Philadelphia neighborhood and the surrounding region. Whether you're in a dense rowhome block or a detached home with a large south-facing roof, our team knows the permitting process, housing stock, and utility landscape.
Rowhomes dominate South Philly, and high-efficiency panel layouts make solar viable on these compact but often well-oriented roofs.
The Northeast's mix of detached single-family homes, twins, and newer construction offers some of the best residential solar potential in the city, with larger roof areas and fewer shading issues.
Rapidly developing neighborhoods with a mix of renovated rowhomes and new construction. Solar is increasingly common on new builds and gut rehabs in this area.
Hillside neighborhoods with a mix of twins, rowhomes, and detached homes. Roof orientation varies, but many homes have strong solar exposure.
Established neighborhoods with larger homes, mature tree canopies, and a mix of stone twins and detached colonials. Shade analysis is critical here, but many homes have excellent potential.
A mix of Victorian-era twins, university-adjacent properties, and newer developments. West Philly has been one of the more active solar adoption areas in the city.
Larger homes on wooded lots require careful shade modeling, but the higher energy usage in these homes means bigger systems and bigger savings when the roof works.
A growing mix of residential rehabs and commercial redevelopment. The North Broad corridor's institutional and commercial buildings present strong commercial solar opportunities.
We also provide solar installation throughout Pennsylvania. → View all PA locations
The average all-in PECO residential rate in Philadelphia is approximately 20 cents per kWh as of early 2026, including supply, distribution, transmission, and all riders. That is up more than 20 percent from early 2025 levels. PECO has indicated that additional capacity cost phase-ins will continue affecting bills through December 2026, so rates are expected to keep rising.
Philadelphia issues solar permits through its Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) using the eCLIPSE online system, with EZ Permits available for standard residential systems under 10 kW. For one- or two-family homes with systems 10 kW or less that are not on the Historic Register, the EZ Permit requires only an electrical permit, with processing in as few as 3 business days. Larger or historic properties require a standard building permit. The city has capped building permit fees for solar at $200. Sunwise handles all permitting on your behalf.
Yes, solar works well on Philadelphia rowhomes when paired with premium high-efficiency panels that maximize output per square foot. Rowhomes are the most common housing type in the city, and the key is panel selection that delivers more watts per square foot on compact roof areas. Sunwise uses premium high-efficiency panels specifically because they make a real difference on rowhome and twin roofs.
Pennsylvania solar homeowners benefit from two primary incentives: Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) worth $25 to $40 per credit, and PECO retail-rate net metering for energy sent back to the grid. Pennsylvania does not offer a property tax or sales tax exemption for solar, which differs from neighboring New Jersey. However, the combination of SRECs, net metering, and long-term PECO bill savings still makes solar a strong investment for most Philadelphia homeowners.
Yes, Philadelphia businesses have access to significant commercial solar incentives including the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (available through July 4, 2026), accelerated depreciation, Pennsylvania SRECs, and PECO net metering. The city’s flat-roof warehouse, office, institutional, and industrial buildings are well suited for commercial solar. These incentives can substantially reduce operating costs and improve long-term margins.
The cost of a solar system in Philadelphia depends on your home’s energy usage, roof size, layout, and complexity, so there is no single answer. Pennsylvania SRECs, PECO net metering, and $0-down financing options all reduce the effective cost and make solar accessible for most homeowners. The best way to get an accurate number is to schedule a free consultation with a Sunwise Energy Specialist, who will design a custom system based on your actual PECO usage and provide a detailed savings projection.
Schedule a free consultation with a Sunwise Energy Specialist. Our team is right across the bridge in Cherry Hill and we’ve been installing solar in Philadelphia since day one. We’ll assess your home, design a custom system, and walk you through your savings.
$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.
