Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A highly-rated, locally-owned and operated solar installer serving Pennsylvania, including the Wilkes-Barre area. They are known for personalized service, in-house expertise, and handling the entire process from design and permitting to installation and maintenance. They emphasize quality equipment and customer education.
As one of the largest dedicated residential solar companies in the U.S., Sunrun offers significant brand recognition and a strong focus on solar financing, including power purchase agreements (PPAs) and leases. They have a network of local installation crews and provide robust monitoring and maintenance services.
A multi-state solar installer with a very strong reputation in Pennsylvania, known for exceptional customer service and high-quality installations. They are a certified partner for top-tier equipment like Qcells and Tesla. While their nearest office is not in Wilkes-Barre, they are a dominant regional player that actively serves the area.
** The home solar market in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is **moderately competitive and of high quality**, characterized by a few key regional specialists and the presence of national providers. The region benefits from a decent amount of annual sunshine and electricity costs that make solar a viable investment. The top-tier local and regional installers, like those listed, have an excellent reputation for quality and customer service, often outperforming the customer satisfaction scores of larger national chains. **Competition Level:** Moderate. While there aren't dozens of hyper-local companies, the ones that operate here are established and reputable. Competition is based on service quality, equipment warranties, and financing expertise rather than just price. **Typical Pricing:** The average cost for a residential solar system in Pennsylvania ranges from **$2.50 to $3.50 per watt** before incentives. For a typical 8 kW system, this translates to a gross cost of **$20,000 to $28,000**. The 30% federal tax credit can reduce this net cost significantly. Pennsylvania's alternative energy portfolio standard also helps drive market adoption, and installers in the area are generally well-versed in all available state and local incentives. **Key Consideration:** Wilkes-Barre residents have access to a robust selection of reputable installers. The choice often comes down to preference for a hyper-local company (Verde Solar) versus a large regional (Paradise Energy) or national provider (Sunrun) with specific financing models.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Wilkes Barre regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.
The average cost for a residential solar system in Wilkes Barre ranges from $15,000 to $25,000 before incentives, depending on your home's size and energy needs. Crucially, Pennsylvania homeowners benefit from the 30% federal solar tax credit, which significantly reduces the net cost. Additionally, you can earn Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) through the state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, providing ongoing income by selling the credits your system generates back to the grid.
Wilkes Barre's four-season climate is excellent for solar, as panels operate efficiently in cooler temperatures and still produce significant energy on cloudy days. While winter snow can temporarily reduce output, panels are installed at an angle to help snow slide off, and the reflective quality of snow can even boost production on clear days. The ample sunny days in spring and summer typically allow systems to generate a surplus, which can be banked as credits with your utility for use during less sunny periods.
All installations in Wilkes Barre require an electrical permit from the City's Building and Code Department, and your chosen installer will typically handle this process. You must also comply with Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code and interconnection rules from your local utility, PPL Electric Utilities. A key local consideration is ensuring your roof structure can support the system, which may involve a specific inspection given the potential for heavy snow loads in Luzerne County.
Prioritize local or regional installers with extensive experience in Northeastern Pennsylvania's specific climate and utility requirements. Verify they are properly licensed, insured, and certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Ask for references from recent installations in Luzerne County and check their standing with the PA Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection to ensure they understand local permitting, PPL's interconnection process, and SREC program management.
Standard grid-tied systems automatically shut off during a PPL outage for safety, preventing backfeed to utility workers. To have power during an outage, you must invest in a solar-plus-battery storage system. For normal operation, your system will connect to PPL's grid through a net metering agreement, where excess power you send to the grid earns credits that offset your usage at night or on cloudy days, effectively using the grid as your "battery."