Solar Panel ROI in Pennsylvania

· Source: NREL PVWatts

Is solar worth it in PA? Here's what the data says.

2.1x ROI Score
12 yrs Payback Period
$1,214/yr Annual Savings
$30,350 25-Year Savings

Your savings estimate

$ /mo bill
Annual savings $1,214
·
Payback 12 yrs
·
25-yr savings $30,350

25-Year ROI Timeline

With a 12-year payback, your system spends 13 years in profit after breaking even.

Payback (12 yrs)
Profit (13 yrs)
Year 0 Year 6 Year 13 Year 19 Year 25
System Cost $14,600
25-Year Savings $30,350
Net Profit $15,750

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Solar Calculator for Pennsylvania

Adjust the values below to see your personalized solar ROI estimate.

kW
$
$ /kWh
4.61 kWh/m²/day
Based on NREL data for Pennsylvania
ROI Score 2.1x
Annual Production 7,588 kWh
Annual Savings $1,214
Payback Period 12 years
25-Year Savings $30,350
System Cost $14,600

Pennsylvania vs National Average

Solar Irradiance: Pennsylvania vs National Average Pennsylvania: 4.61 kWh/m²/day National Avg: 5.12 kWh/m²/day
Solar Irradiance 4.61 kWh/m²/day
-10% vs national avg
Payback Period 12 years Slower than avg
Electricity Rate $0.160 /kWh Below avg

How We Calculated This

Our solar ROI calculations use data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) PVWatts API, which models solar energy production based on location-specific solar irradiance, weather patterns, and panel tilt angles. We assume a standard 6kW residential system with south-facing panels at optimal tilt.

Electricity rates are sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Annual savings are calculated by multiplying estimated production by the local electricity rate. The ROI score represents total 25-year savings divided by system cost.

These estimates do not include the federal 30% ITC tax credit, state incentives, SRECs, or utility rebates, which can significantly reduce the effective payback period.

Solar ROI by Zip Code in Pennsylvania

Explore solar data for specific zip codes in Pennsylvania. Click any zip code for a full local breakdown.

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Solar Outlook for Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's solar irradiance of 4.61 kWh/m²/day is 7.1% below the national average. With electricity at $0.160/kWh, the 12-year payback is moderate — though incentives and tax credits can significantly shorten it.

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