2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Wilkes-Barre, PA - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Wilkes-Barre.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Wilkes-Barre solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Wilkes-Barre?

High Performance Buildings Incentive Program

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
Residential loans/loan guarantees: $100,000
Commercial loans/loan guarantees: $2 million
Grants: Lesser of 10% of project costs or $500,000

Solar Alternative Energy Credits

Incentive Type:
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Varies based on market conditions; during 2015 the market price for PA-sourced SRECs has ranged from approximately $32 - $55/MWh ($0.032 - $0.055/kWh) although individual trades have taken place at substantially lower and higher prices.
Learn more:

Wind and Geothermal Incentives Program

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
Manufacturer loans: $40,000 per job created within 3 years
Manufacturer grants: $5,000 per job created within 3 years
Loans for geothermal systems: $3 per square foot of space served up to $5 million; also limited to 50% of eligible costs for residential systems.
Loans for wind energy production projects: $5 million
Grants for wind energy production projects: $1 million
Grants for feasibility studies: 50% of cost up to $175,000
Loan guarantee grants: Up to 75% of deficient funds up to $5 million

High Performance Building Incentives Program

Incentive Type:
Grant Program
Vary by project, but program generally requires matching funds at least equivalent to DCED funding

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives help mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. This category of financial incentives is intended to encourage more people to switch to renewable energy. Incentives might include things like discounts, cash back or credit on your utility bill each month. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, while others are provided by the Pennsylvania government or by your utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:

  • Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
  • Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions go into effect at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that your solar panels add when you calculate how much property tax you need to pay on your house.
  • Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get after your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Wilkes-Barre utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you might make back a percentage of the value.
  • Rebates: Your solar installer might help you claim a rebate, or partial refund of your purchase, for your solar system. States or counties will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. The value of a rebate will usually come off your total price before tax credits are calculated.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In general, solar systems that produce more than a predetermined (generally small) amount of electricity qualify for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are typically offered at the state level. SRECs can be sold to your utility company or another buyer, and the money you receive is normally considered part of your taxable income.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Federal Solar Incentives

When thinking about solar incentives, you probably think of federal incentives first. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.

The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar panels have to have been installed on a property you own after January 1, 2006, for you to claim the credit. The ITC initially covered 30% of all costs (panels, labor, equipment and accessories), although the total amount has fluctuated over time between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the claim amount.

Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Get in touch with your local Wilkes-Barre solar panel installation expert to get more information.

The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit now runs until 2035. Homeowners can now apply for a 30% credit for solar systems installed between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2032. The credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until its expiration. The expansion to the program also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, starting in 2023.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Wilkes-Barre solar panel installer can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Rebates, tax credits and more can be claimed at multiple levels. Along with federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones as well. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time. Solar incentives might be provided by the Pennsylvania government, or by your county or municipality.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Wilkes-Barre

Solar energy use nationwide has gone up significantly in the last 15 years, in part thanks to the proliferation of solar incentives. You might receive these incentives from the Pennsylvania government, the federal government or your local utility company. We suggest talking to your local Wilkes-Barre solar installer to learn more about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting the most money possible for your solar system.

EcoWatch's Wilkes-Barre, PA Solar Incentives FAQs

How do I learn if I qualify for solar incentives?

It's best to speak with your local Wilkes-Barre solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project will qualify for. Typically, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, like those provided by the Pennsylvania government, may have other requirements.

How much will solar panels save me on my electric bill in Wilkes-Barre annually?

When you add solar panels to your house in Wilkes-Barre, you can anticipate savings of about $610.52 per year, or about $11,599.93 over 20 years.

What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar?

You can lower your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 a year by installing solar panels. This adds up to around 5,000 pounds over 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, which means that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.

How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?

The federal solar tax credit, formerly known as the ITC and now named the Clean Energy Credit, is set to end January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.

If I trade in my appliances for ones that use solar energy, are there incentives I can claim?

The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act provides multiple incentives designed to reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

Follow us