What people ask us first.
Short answers to the questions Greater Pittsburgh homeowners ask most. The full guides go deeper when you want the detail.
Yes. Western Pennsylvania gets enough annual sunlight for productive rooftop systems. Panels still generate on overcast days, and summer production often offsets winter dips. See our guide on the cloudy-climate myth for the full picture.
Most Greater Pittsburgh homeowners see quotes in the $2.60 to $2.75 per watt range for a typical 6 to 8 kW system, often totaling roughly $16,000 to $22,000 before any programs. Equipment, roof complexity, and installer pricing move that figure up or down. See our Pittsburgh cost guide for how to compare proposals.
As of 2026, the federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) no longer applies to owner-purchased systems. Pennsylvania homeowners may still benefit from net metering, SREC income, and occasional utility or local programs. See our PA solar incentives 2026 guide for what still applies in Greater Pittsburgh.
When your panels produce more electricity than you use, the surplus is credited on your utility bill under Pennsylvania's net metering rules. Credits and rollover policies vary by utility — Duquesne Light and the FirstEnergy companies each have their own tariff. Our net metering guide explains the basics.
We write for homeowners across the Greater Pittsburgh metro and Western Pennsylvania, including Allegheny County and surrounding counties such as Butler, Washington, Westmoreland, and Beaver. Utility rules and incentives are Pennsylvania-wide; production and costs vary by address.
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