Best Solar Companies in Pennsylvania (2022 Rankings & Reviews)
We recommend vetted solar companies that have:
- Availability in your area
- Affordable pricing and financing options
- At least 5 years of experience
- Outstanding customer reviews
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Best Solar Companies in Pennsylvania
Our reviews are curated by a team of solar experts, backed by insider data and reviewed by an advisory board to ensure we provide only the most vital information, minus the marketing gimmicks. Let’s jump in.
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Jump to Section:
- Top 5 Solar Companies in Pennsylvania
- Yellowlite
- Paradise Energy Solutions
- SunPower
- Solar SME
- Public Service Solar
Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in Pennsylvania - FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Pennsylvania
Nationwide Service
Average cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market -
National coverage -
Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification -
Great warranty coverage -
Expensive -
Customer service varies by local dealer
Most efficient panels on the market 
Expensive Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries -
EV Chargers -
System Monitoring
Solar Panels 
Regional Service
Average cost
YellowLite
-
Representatives are experts on local policies -
Offers products from leading manufacturers -
Full-service home energy solutions -
No leases or PPAs -
Relatively short workmanship warranty
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries -
System Monitoring -
General Contracting -
Maintenance & Repairs
Regional Service
Average cost
Paradise Energy Solutions
-
Outstanding customer service -
Many years of experience -
Great warranty coverage -
Offers products from leading manufacturers -
No leases or PPAs -
Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries
Regional Service
Average cost
Public Service Solar
-
Outstanding customer service -
Representatives are experts on local policies -
Limited service area -
Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries
If you’re looking for the best solar companies in Pennsylvania, chances are you’ve sifted through some company reviews online. Unfortunately, many other sources don’t consider the factors most important to Pennsylvania residents, like companies that install high-efficiency panels to help offset electric costs through the cloudy winters in PA. The EcoWatch team takes this and other local factors into consideration to provide you with the most relevant information possible.
What Are the Top 5 Solar Companies in Pennsylvania?
The company comparison table below provides an at-a-glance look at the best solar companies in Pennsylvania. You might be surprised to see that some of the more popular brands — like Vivint Solar — don’t appear in our rankings. We have opted to exclude some brands like this because of issues that could prevent them from providing you with outstanding service, like ongoing litigation with customers, poor service specifically in PA and other potential problems.
| Company | Solar Services | Warranty Coverage | BBB Rating | Year Founded |
Yellowlite | Solar panel and battery installations; solar monitoring; maintenance and repair; general contracting | 25 to 30-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year overall warranty | A+ | 2009 |
Paradise Energy Solutions | Solar panel and battery installation | 25 to 30-year warranty on equipment; 10-year on workmanship warranty | A+ | 2009 |
SunPower | Solar panels, energy storage, EV chargers, maintenance and monitoring | 25-year all-inclusive warranty; 10-year warranty for monitoring hardware | A+ | 1985 |
Solar SME | Solar panel and battery installation; solar maintenance; community solar; solar monitoring; panel removal | 25-year warranty from manufacturer; 25-year warranty on workmanship | A | 2014 |
Public Service Solar | Solar panel and battery installation; solar monitoring community solar; general contracting; electrical contracting; roofing | 25-year warranty on workmanship; manufacturer’s warranty | A | 2019 |
Not sure which of these companies is best suited to handle your home solar project? Because the EcoWatch team maintains so much brand authority in the solar industry, we’re often able to get our readers some of the best deals and pricing on clean energy solutions.
1. Yellowlite
Yellowlite is a national company, but it’s significantly smaller than most other national solar energy companies. It’s large enough to buy equipment in bulk and provide equipment at lower costs than many competitors, but it’s small enough to maintain excellent customer service. Most PA residents are pleased with the communication from this company, as well as with the willingness of its techs to help take advantage of solar tax incentives and rebates.
Yellowlite provides a 10-year comprehensive warranty, which isn’t the best. However, the equipment comes with a manufacturer’s warranty of between 25 and 30 years, which is excellent. There are many solar equipment brands available, offering homeowners the opportunity to choose the ideal installer to balance budget and performance.
Yellowlite only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, so customers looking for leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will need to choose another installer.
Pros for Yellowlite
Yellowlite is based in Pittsburgh, so it provides outstanding customer service to PA residents. It has many equipment brands to choose from, as well as good equipment coverage.
- Great customer service in PA
- Excellent product selection
- Good physical warranties on equipment
Cons for Yellowlite
While Yellowlite’s manufacturer warranties are good, the overall coverage for workmanship isn’t the best. It also doesn’t accept leases or PPAs.
- Workmanship warranty is less than the industry standard
- No lease options
- No PPAs
Facts and Figures: Yellowlite
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 2009 |
| Service Area | Statewide |
| Average Cost | $$$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel and battery installations; solar monitoring; maintenance and repair; general contracting |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Canadian Solar, Sun Power, SolarWorld, LG, Suniva |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
2. Paradise Energy Solutions
Paradise Energy Solutions is a local company based in PA. While it has a large coverage area throughout the state, its services are not quite as widely available as some other installers on this list — for example, it doesn’t serve Philadelphia. However, the customers it does service are overwhelmingly pleased with the communication and professionalism of the technicians, as well as the overall customer service experience.
Paradise Energy Solutions carries a handful of equipment brands, including some of the more popular ones like Enphase and LG. However, its services are rather limited, as it only tackles solar panel and solar battery installations. Customers looking for electric vehicle chargers or other product add-ons will need to turn to another installer.
This company doesn’t have the best workmanship warranty, but physical coverage is more than adequate. It only accepts cash purchases and financed deals for residential solar customers.
Pros for Paradise Energy Solutions
Paradise Energy Solutions is one of the best solar installation companies in PA if you’re looking for outstanding customer service. It has a nice selection of popular and efficient solar products, and its physical protection warranties are great.
- Best-in-class customer service
- Good product variety
- Physical protection warranties are quite good
Cons for Paradise Energy Solutions
Paradise Energy Solutions only handles panel and battery installations. It also only has a 10-year workmanship warranty, which is less than the industry standard, and it doesn’t offer leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to residential customers.
- Limited services available
- Workmanship warranty isn’t the best
- No leases or PPAs
Facts and Figures: Paradise Energy Solutions
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 2009 |
| Service Area | Lancaster, Allentown, West Chester, Harrisburg, Chambersburg, York, State College, Lebanon, Carlisle, Pittsburgh, Reading, Scranton, Altoona, Lewisburg, Langhorne, Shippensburg |
| Average Cost | $$$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel and battery installation |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Enphase, Axitec, LG, Solar Edge, QCells |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans for residential customers; leases and PPAs for commercial customers only |
3. SunPower
SunPower is an enormous national company that, in the past, has outsourced the installation of its panels to third-party solar contractors. It’s transitioning to a new business model in which it will handle installations in-house of panels from its sister company, Maxeon. SunPower and Maxeon panels are among the most efficient solar panels in the industry, which makes them ideal for maximizing energy production through Pennsylvania’s cloudy winter.
SunPower’s customer service can vary a bit based on the third-party installer handling the work. Going forward, it will have to establish its own reputation for customer service once it begins in-house installs.
SunPower accepts all financing options, including cash purchases, solar loans, solar leases and Power Purchase Agreements. These options make renewable energy more accessible, but the panels are still some of the most expensive available.
Click here for our full SunPower review.
Pros for SunPower
SunPower offers some of the best and most efficient solar technology in the industry. It accepts all financing options and provides great warranty coverage as well.
- Installs some of the highest-quality equipment
- Many financing options available
- Excellent warranty coverage
Cons for SunPower
SunPower’s outsourcing of labor can lead to spotty customer service. The panels are highly efficient but also some of the most expensive you can buy. Additionally, only one solar equipment brand is provided.
- Spotty customer service
- Expensive
- Only one brand available
Facts and Figures: SunPower
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 1985 |
| Service Area | Statewide |
| Average Cost | $$$$$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panels, energy storage, EV chargers |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Maxeon |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans, leases, PPA |
4. Solar SME
Solar SME is a national company that has a strong foothold in Pennsylvania, especially around the Pittsburgh area. Despite its large size, it still manages to provide excellent customer service most of the time. Many PA homeowners rave about the communication, professionalism and willingness to help residents take advantage of the federal tax credit and other solar incentives. There are a handful of customers who received less appealing customer satisfaction, though.
Solar SME has some of the best financing options available, including cash purchases, a wide range of solar loans, solar leases and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Coupled with its overall affordable pricing, this makes Solar SME a great option regardless of your financial situation.
Solar SME carries many solar products for solar energy system customization, including most of the more popular brands.
Pros for Solar SME
Solar SME accepts all financing options and maintains relatively low pricing overall. It carries many solar brands for system customization.
- Many financing options available
- Affordable
- Carries a great product variety
Cons for Solar SME
Solar SME has had some instances of below-average customer service. It also isn’t NABCEP certified.
- Some cases of subpar customer service
- No NABCEP certification
Facts and Figures: Solar SME
| BBB Rating | A |
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Service Area | Statewide |
| Average Cost | $$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel and battery installation; solar maintenance; community solar; solar monitoring; panel removal |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Enphase, Panasonic, Generac, LG, Silfab, Trina Solar, REC, Solaria, QCells, Fronius, Solar Edge, Iron Ridge |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans, leases, PPAs |
5. Public Service Solar
Public Service Solar carries a nice array of solar equipment brands. Even more impressive is the number of services it provides, which include solar panel and battery installation, solar monitoring, community solar and more. It’s clear based on its service offerings that this company has the right idea when it comes to making solar a viable option for the future: make homes more energy efficient rather than cram as many panels as possible on the roof.
Public Service Solar is a local company serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It provides the kind of customer service you’d expect from a small company, so the likelihood is that you’ll be pleased with its professionalism, timeliness and overall service.
This company provides access to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), but some customers only have the option of a cash purchase or solar loan via its financing partner, Sungage.
Pros for Public Service Solar
Public Service Solar maintains a great reputation for good customer service. It has many financing options available, and it has an excellent range of services going above and beyond solar.
- Outstanding customer service
- Several financing options available
- Many services provided
Cons for Public Service Solar
Public Service Solar doesn’t install EV chargers or other add-on products. It also doesn’t have the best workmanship warranty.
- No EV chargers or other add-on equipment
Facts and Figures: Public Service Solar
| BBB Rating | A |
| Year Founded | 2019 |
| Service Area | Statewide |
| Average Cost | $$$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel and battery installation; solar monitoring community solar; general contracting; electrical contracting; roofing |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | LG, LG Chem, Enphase, Panasonic |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans, PPAs |
EcoWatch Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in Pennsylvania
The EcoWatch team assesses the top solar panel companies in Pennsylvania based on more than 20 criteria. We’ll discuss the more pertinent ones below, but you can find information on each factor we consider over on our methodology page.
Warranty
Most solar installers offer warranties on solar equipment to provide peace of mind to customers spending tens of thousands on their equipment. Solar warranties typically cover the equipment — including physical damage and energy production — or workmanship — including installation, some parts and roof leaks, in some cases.
Lengthier and more comprehensive warranties are always better, but we specifically look for companies that provide an energy production guarantee. Pennsylvania gets adequate sun in the spring and summer, but the falls and winters can be cloudy, providing limited sunlight for energy production. High-efficiency panels that are guaranteed to produce maximum energy are usually the best for PA residents. Companies that carry extensive production warranties usually rank higher in our ratings for Pennsylvania.
Year Founded
Solar electric systems are becoming more and more prevalent in Pennsylvania. This is great news, but in response to the increase in demand, we’ve seen many “fly by night” companies pop up throughout the state, looking to turn a profit in the booming industry. Unfortunately, these companies are often short-lived and provide poor service. When they go out of business, you’re left with no ongoing service and a voided warranty.
We always consider the year a company was founded to help rule out those that may have limited longevity in the solar space.
Services Offered
Not every solar power installer in Pennsylvania provides the same services. Some companies — like Paradise Energy Solutions — only take care of panel and battery installation, while others also tackle electric vehicle chargers, solar roofing, solar monitoring and much more. We rank companies higher that provide a wider range of services, as they are more likely to be able to serve more customers who want customizable systems.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
In addition to the services offered, we also look at the solar equipment each company carries. Some companies — like SunPower — only carry a single brand, while others stock equipment from numerous manufacturers. Companies that carry a variety usually rank higher because they appeal to more customers.
For example, a solar installer that offers a wide range of products could appeal to customers looking for the most efficient panels to combat the cloudy PA winters, the cheapest panels to keep solar panel costs down and those looking for specific brands, like the Tesla Powerwall.
Industry Affiliations
We consider the affiliations a company has with solar organizations and associations. Involvement in the solar industry suggests that a company is in the renewable energy space for more than just profit, which usually goes hand in hand with knowledgeable staff that provides excellent service.
Some affiliations we look for in Pennsylvania include the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), PA Solar Center and Philly Solar.
Size of Company
The size of the company you choose might seem like an inconsequential factor, but it can actually have quite an impact on your overall experience.
Smaller local companies, for example, often have far superior customer service, and many have better relationships with local permitting agencies and utility companies, which they can leverage to expedite connection to the grid via an inverter for net metering. Larger national companies often have lower pricing, and they almost always have greater flexibility with installation, leading to a faster install on your home.
Solar Pricing and Financing
Finally, we look at a company’s overall pricing, the value it provides for the cost and the financing options available to customers.
The overall price will always be a crucial factor, but we find that value is more important. For example, some companies that only work with high-quality equipment, like SunPower panels or Tesla Powerwalls, will naturally be more costly, but the high efficiency typically leads to greater savings on your electric bills in the long run. Cheaper is not always better when it comes to solar.
The financing options available also dictate the company’s affordability to some extent. Some customers who cannot afford a cash purchase or secure a solar loan can only be serviced by installers who offer leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The more financing options available, the higher we rank the company because of its more widespread appeal and accessibility.
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EcoWatch FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Pennsylvania
The EcoWatch team gets questions all the time about solar from Pennsylvania residents. Below are the questions we see from the area most frequently, along with our responses.
Based on our complete company reviews above, we have found that Yellowlite is the most reputable solar company in Pennsylvania. The yellow line is a relatively small national company with the benefits of both an installer based in PA and a larger company. It provides outstanding customer service — especially in Pennsylvania, its home state — and has more affordable services than many competitors. Yellowlite also offers great physical protection on its products and provides a wide range of installation services for solar panel system customization.
Yes, absolutely. Pennsylvania has great summers for solar, but the winters are cloudy and bring above-average snowfall that can reduce the opportunity for energy production. Most Pennsylvania homeowners want high-efficiency panels that can maximize savings on energy bills. Others prioritize a low upfront cost and instead want cheaper panels. When you’re looking for a solar panel installation company, you might need to choose one based on whether or not it carries the equipment you want.
To find the most affordable solar company in Pennsylvania, you’ll have to contact the top providers in your city and get individual, customized quotes from each to compare. This is a time-consuming process, and it might not even yield the best value for your money. Instead, we recommend using our EcoWatch rating to help determine the company that fits within your budget and offers the best value for the money.
When you’re looking for the best solar companies in PA, you ideally want to assess each based on a variety of factors. The most crucial criteria include price, value for the money, equipment brands and services provided, warranty coverage, time in the industry, years of experience, and many more.
The easiest way to compare companies based on these factors and others is to use our EcoWatch rating. This single number gives you a snapshot of how likely a particular company is to provide outstanding service.
Many Pennsylvania residents ask us if solar panels still work in the winter because Pennsylvania is prone to harsh, cloudy weather and snow that can interrupt available sunlight. Solar panels do work on cloudy days and throughout the winter, but the energy production is less than in the summer. For this reason, most homeowners choose high-efficiency panels to increase the likelihood of eliminating electricity costs for Pennsylvania homeowners, even in the winter.
