Best solar companies in PA: top 7 Pennsylvania installers for 2026

June 24, 2026

Pennsylvania has quietly become one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the country. The state doubled its solar capacity to more than 2 gigawatts in just 17 months, installations are up roughly 160% over the past five years, and rooftop systems now account for about two-thirds of all solar capacity in the Keystone State.

But the rules changed on January 1, 2026. The 30% federal residential solar tax credit, the single largest incentive available to homeowners and worth around $9,000 on an average system, expired on December 31, 2025. It is not coming back for systems you buy outright.

That shift makes one decision more important than it has ever been: which solar company you hire. Without a federal credit to soften the price, the difference between a fair installer and an overpriced one shows up directly in your payback period. Equipment quality, warranty depth, financing options, and long-term local support now carry the weight that the tax credit used to.

Below are the seven best solar companies in PA for 2026, ranked on pricing transparency, installation quality, warranty coverage, review volume, and how well each one serves Pennsylvania homeowners in the post-credit landscape.

Why choosing the right solar company in PA matters in 2026
When a 30% credit was automatically knocking thousands off every project, a mediocre installer could still produce an acceptable return. That cushion is gone. In 2026, the company you choose is the variable that decides whether solar pays off in eight years or twelve.

A few factors separate the strong Pennsylvania solar installers from the rest. Fair cost per watt is the first: the statewide average runs about $1.90 to $2.86 per watt, and quotes far below that range are usually a warning sign rather than a bargain. In-house crews matter too, because companies that handle design, permitting, and installation under one roof tend to deliver more consistent quality than those that subcontract the work and disappear afterward.

Warranties are where value is won or lost. The best installers back their work with their own 10- to 25-year workmanship and production guarantees rather than leaning only on the panel manufacturer's coverage. Add licensing, insurance, NABCEP-certified technicians, and a deep bench of recent customer reviews, and you have the profile of a company that will still be answering the phone in 2040.

The 7 best solar companies in Pennsylvania


  

    

      
Rank
      
Company
      
Location
      
Rating
      
Best For
    
  
  

    

      
1
      
Ethical Energy Solar
      
York, PA
      
4.9/5
      
Best overall, value-first installs
    
    

      
2
      
Paradise Energy Solutions
      
Paradise, PA
      
4.86/5
      
Commercial and agricultural
    
    

      
3
      
Solar States
      
Philadelphia, PA
      
4.8/5
      
Philadelphia solar and storage
    
    

      
4
      
Exact Solar
      
Eastern PA
      
4.8/5
      
Long-term service track record
    
    

      
5
      
Lumina Solar
      
PA, MD, DE, DC
      
4.9/5
      
Transparent customer education
    
    

      
6
      
Cosmo Solaris
      
Mechanicsburg, PA
      
4.9/5
      
Flexible financing
    
    

      
7
      
Endless Energy
      
Pennsylvania
      
4.8/5
      
Full-service renewable energy
    
  

1. Ethical Energy Solar

Location: York, PA Service areas: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware Rating: 4.9 out of 5

In a market where value now matters more than incentives, Ethical Energy Solar earns the top spot as the best solar company in Pennsylvania. The York-based installer has built its reputation on delivering high-end work without the inflated pricing that some larger competitors rely on, which is exactly the quality homeowners need now that the federal credit no longer absorbs part of the cost.

Unlike national chains that treat Pennsylvania as one more sales territory, Ethical Energy is rooted in the state it serves. The team understands how sunlight varies across the commonwealth and how to work with local utilities like PECO, PPL, and Met Ed. That local knowledge translates into accurate production estimates and installations that clear permitting and interconnection without the delays that trip up out-of-state operators.

The company installs American-made solar panels exclusively, giving homeowners tighter quality control while supporting domestic manufacturing. It also removes the biggest barrier to going solar by offering multiple financing paths, including zero-down lease and power purchase agreement options. For homeowners who lease, the company explains how the 48E commercial tax credit, available through December 31, 2027, can lower monthly payments because the installer claims the credit and passes the 
savings along.

Every system comes with a 25-year performance guarantee, meaning Ethical Energy stands behind the output of your array for decades rather than handing you a manufacturer warranty and walking away. The company's standing in the community was reinforced in 2025 when it became the Official Solar Partner of Penn State Athletics, a rare endorsement for a regional installer.

The proof shows up in the reviews. Ethical Energy Solar holds the highest review volume of any Pennsylvania-based solar company while maintaining a 4.9-star average, and customers consistently highlight the company's attention to detail, transparent communication, and care for the condition of the roof itself. Maintaining that rating while growing quickly is uncommon in this industry, and it is the main reason Ethical Energy is the smart default for most Pennsylvania homeowners in 2026.

2. Paradise Energy Solutions

Location: Paradise, PA Service areas: PA, NJ, NY, DE, MD, VA, WV, OH Rating: 4.86 out of 5

Founded in Lancaster County, Paradise Energy Solutions brings more than 15 years of experience and a particularly strong reputation among farms and agricultural businesses looking to cut operating costs with solar. Its standout feature is the Triple Ten Guarantee: ten years of guaranteed production with compensation for any shortfall, ten years of production monitoring, and a ten-year workmanship warranty.

Everything is handled by an in-house team of more than 100 people, from design and permitting through installation and maintenance, which eliminates the quality gaps that come with subcontracting. Employee retention is unusually high, so the person who designs your system may well be the one supporting it a decade later. Paradise is the clear choice for commercial operations, farms, and agricultural businesses that want an established installer with deep Pennsylvania roots.

3. Solar States

Location: Philadelphia, PA Service areas: Philadelphia and surrounding region Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Solar States is a Philadelphia-based solar and storage installer that doubles as an educator, and it holds Certified B Corporation status that reflects a genuine commitment to social and environmental standards. For homeowners in and around Philadelphia, that local focus means strong familiarity with city permitting and the $0.20-per-watt residential rebate the city still offers.

The company pairs panel installation with battery storage and spends real time helping customers understand their systems rather than rushing them to sign. That educational approach suits first-time buyers who want a clear picture of production and savings before committing, especially in dense urban roofscapes where shading and orientation require careful design.

4. Exact Solar

Location: Eastern PA Service areas: Eastern PA, NJ, DE Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Exact Solar has been installing systems since 2005, and in an industry where companies appear and vanish, nearly two decades of continuous operation is a meaningful signal of reliability. The company has been named to Solar Power World's Top 300 nationally and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Its real strength is long-term service. Customers with systems installed more than a decade ago report that the company still responds promptly to calls and emails, which is exactly what you want from a partner on a 25-year investment. With a focus on the Delaware Valley, Exact Solar maintains close relationships with regional utilities and permitting offices, smoothing approvals for homeowners across the Philadelphia area and southeastern Pennsylvania.

5. Lumina Solar

Location: Serving PA, MD, DE, DC Rating: 4.9 out of 5

Lumina Solar leads with education instead of pressure, an approach that is more valuable than ever now that buyers need honest numbers rather than best-case projections. The company uses detailed 3D modeling to produce accurate production estimates and has been known to turn down projects when solar simply is not practical for a particular home, a level of candor that builds trust.

All work is done internally without subcontractors, which keeps installation quality consistent. Reviewers repeatedly point to the company's responsiveness and its willingness to walk homeowners through system sizing and permitting step by step. Lumina is best suited to first-time solar buyers who want to fully understand their system, and its economics, before signing anything.

6. Cosmo Solaris

Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Service areas: Multiple states including PA Rating: 4.9 out of 5

With the federal credit gone, financing structure can make or break a project, and Cosmo Solaris has become a popular pick precisely because it offers the widest range of financing pathways. The Mechanicsburg-based installer manages the full process from design and paperwork through approvals and installation, and backs equipment with a 30-year warranty.

Cosmo's particular expertise is third-party ownership. For homeowners considering a lease or power purchase agreement, the team can explain how the 48E tax credit, available through December 31, 2027, offsets costs through lower monthly payments, and it works with multiple financing partners to match each budget. It is the right fit for buyers who want to compare ownership and financing structures to find the most affordable route.

7. Endless Energy

Location: Pennsylvania Service areas: Pennsylvania Rating: 4.8 out of 5

A family-owned business operating for more than 50 years, Endless Energy is one of the most established renewable energy companies in Pennsylvania. Beyond residential and commercial solar PV, the company handles heating and cooling and water treatment, making it a practical choice for homeowners who prefer a single full-service provider for multiple home-energy needs.

That breadth and longevity translate into stability. A company that has weathered five decades of changing energy markets is well positioned to honor warranties and service obligations long after installation, which is reassuring when incentives are tight and the relationship is meant to last 25 years or more.

How to choose a solar company in Pennsylvania

Start by comparing cost per watt across at least three quotes. With no federal credit to hide behind, the price per watt is the cleanest way to judge whether a system is fairly priced, and anything dramatically below the $1.90 to $2.86 statewide range deserves scrutiny rather than excitement.

Read the warranties closely. A manufacturer's panel warranty is not the same as the installer's own workmanship and production coverage, and the best Pennsylvania solar companies offer guarantees lasting 10 to 25 years. Those guarantees are your safety net when there is no incentive cushioning the investment.

Confirm the crew is in-house. Companies that self-perform design, permitting, and installation deliver more consistent results and make warranty service far simpler than those that rely on rotating subcontractors. Verify licensing, insurance, and NABCEP certification while you are at it.

Weigh review volume alongside the rating. A company holding a 4.8-plus average across hundreds of recent reviews has proven it can maintain quality at scale, which means more than a flawless score built on a handful of reviews. Finally, ask how each company structures financing, and specifically how lease or PPA deals pass the 48E credit savings on to you, since that detail materially changes your monthly cost.

Pennsylvania solar incentives and economics in 2026

The headline change is the loss of the federal credit. As of January 1, 2026, the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit is no longer available for systems homeowners purchase outright. Many national guides still list it as active, so treat that as a sign their information is out of date.

The 48E credit survives for third-party ownership. If you sign a solar lease or power purchase agreement, the solar company claims a 30% commercial credit and passes the savings to you through lower payments. This pathway is available through December 31, 2027, and it has become the preferred route for a growing share of 2026 buyers.

Net metering remains one of Pennsylvania's strongest advantages. State law requires utilities including PECO, PPL, Met Ed, and Duquesne Light to credit excess generation at the full retail rate. Those credits roll over month to month and offset the winter stretches when production drops, and you can learn how the crediting works through net metering before you size a system.

SRECs add ongoing income. Through the state's Alternative Energy Credit program, Pennsylvania solar owners earn one Solar Renewable Energy Credit for every megawatt-hour their system generates, currently worth roughly $30 to $40 each. A typical 5-kilowatt residential system produces about $400 to $600 a year from SRECs alone. Philadelphia residents can layer on the city's $0.20-per-watt rebate, and homeowners pursuing high-efficiency projects may qualify for fixed-rate loans of up to $100,000 through the state's High Performance Building Program.

The economics still work, just on a longer horizon. Without the federal credit, payback periods now run about 8 to 12 years rather than 6 to 8, but a Pennsylvania system still saves most homeowners $25,000 to $35,000 over 25 years. With Pennsylvania electricity rates climbing, locking in today's solar cost also hedges against future utility increases, which is a benefit no incentive ever provided.

How to spot and avoid a bad solar company in PA

Pennsylvania homeowners search almost as often for the worst solar companies as for the best, and the caution is warranted. The most common red flag is a price that looks too good to be true. An installer quoting far below the statewide cost per watt may be cutting corners on equipment or may not be around to honor a warranty in five years.

Be wary of high-pressure door-to-door pitches, particularly the lease and PPA offers framed as cutting your bill in half with no catch. These arrangements can be legitimate, but the details matter: ask for the escalator clause that governs how your payment rises each year, and make sure it stays below the rate at which local electricity prices climb. If a salesperson cannot explain that clause clearly, walk away.

Overstated production estimates are another warning sign. Reputable companies model your roof's shading and orientation honestly, and some will even tell you solar is not worth it for your home. Thin or erratic review histories, no verifiable local presence, and reluctance to put guarantees in writing all point toward a company you should avoid. The safest defense is to choose an installer with deep Pennsylvania roots, a long track record, and a large body of recent, consistent reviews.