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Pittsburgh has lower solar irradiance than eastern PA but also lower installation costs. Duquesne Light rates at $0.2/kWh with stable 1:1 net metering make the Steel City a viable solar market despite its famously cloudy weather.
Cost Range
$2.75-$3.15
Per watt installed
Avg System
12 kW
~$35,400 gross
Payback
15.3 yrs
Cash purchase
Sun Hours
3.5-4.0
Peak hours/day
2026 Reality: The 30% federal solar tax credit (25D) expired for homeowners on Dec 31, 2025. All Pittsburgh costs and payback in this guide reflect $0 federal credit. PPA/lease providers can still claim Section 48 until July 2026. What this means for you
A typical 12 kW solar system in Pittsburgh costs $35,400 before taxes. After 6% PA sales tax ($2,124), the all-in cost is $37,524. Annual savings of $2,520 from net metering plus $353/year in SREC income yield a payback of approximately 15.3 years.
Gross Cost (12 kW)
$35,400
~$2.95/W avg
6% Sales Tax
+$2,124
No exemption in PA
All-In Cost
$37,524
Cash purchase
Annual Production
12,600 kWh
1050 kWh/kW/yr
Pittsburgh homes typically install 8-15 kW systems. Lower per-watt costs in western PA partially offset the reduced production from lower sun hours.
| System Size | Gross Cost | +6% Tax | All-In Cost | SREC/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $17,700 | +$1,062 | $18,762 | $176 | 15.3 yrs |
| 8 kW | $23,600 | +$1,416 | $25,016 | $235 | 15.3 yrs |
| 10 kW | $29,500 | +$1,770 | $31,270 | $294 | 15.3 yrs |
| 12 kW | $35,400 | +$2,124 | $37,524 | $353 | 15.3 yrs |
| 15 kW | $44,250 | +$2,655 | $46,905 | $441 | 15.3 yrs |
Cloud cover context: Pittsburgh averages about 160 cloudy days per year, among the cloudiest cities in the US. However, modern solar panels still produce 10-25% of their rated output on overcast days. System sizing accounts for this with the 1050 kWh/kW/year production factor for western PA.
Pittsburgh's hilly terrain is a double-edged sword for solar. South-facing slopes can be better than flat sites, while north-facing hillsides produce significantly less.
Homes on south-facing hillsides (facing the rivers) can produce 5-10% more than flat sites because the natural slope creates an optimal tilt angle for solar panels.
Production boost: +5-10%
vs flat-roof Pittsburgh installations
East and west-facing hillside roofs produce about 80-85% of optimal output. Still viable for solar, especially with premium panels and microinverters to manage partial shading from the terrain.
Production: 80-85% of optimal
Microinverters recommended
North-facing hillside roofs produce 20-30% less than south-facing. Combined with Pittsburgh's lower irradiance, north-facing slopes often make solar uneconomical. A PPA or community solar may be better options.
Production: 70-80% of optimal
Consider PPA or community solar instead
Flat-roof advantage: Many Pittsburgh row houses and multi-family buildings have flat roofs. These are excellent for solar because panels can be mounted at the optimal tilt angle (about 30-35 degrees) using ballasted racking, regardless of the surrounding terrain.
All of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are served by Duquesne Light. The utility has stable net metering with no proposed changes, making Pittsburgh a safe market for solar investment.
Credit type
1:1 full retail rate ($0.20/kWh)
Monthly treatment
Rolling credits at full retail rate
Annual true-up
Excess paid at PTC rate ($0.124/kWh)
Max system size
50 kW residential
Policy threat
None for Duquesne Light
Interconnection
2-4 weeks typical
PA SRECs
12.6 SRECs/yr at $28/SREC avg. Lower output than Philly means fewer SRECs.
1:1 Net Metering (Duquesne)
Full retail credit monthly at $0.20/kWh. Stable policy with no proposed changes.
Section 48 ITC (PPA/Lease)
Third-party claims ITC, passes savings to you. Deadline July 4, 2026.
Federal 25D ITC
Expired Dec 31, 2025. $0 for cash/loan purchases.
6% PA Sales Tax
On a $35,400 system. No exemption in PA.
Property Tax Increase
Solar adds to assessed value. No exemption in PA.
Pittsburgh's diverse terrain and housing stock create wide variation in solar potential. Hillside orientation, tree coverage, and roof type all matter more here than in flat cities.
Single-family homes, tree-lined streets
Large single-family homes with south-facing roof areas of 1,200-1,800 sq ft
Mature tree canopy along many streets requires thorough shade analysis
Flat terrain in Point Breeze provides consistent sun exposure
Older homes (1920s-1950s) may need 200-amp electrical panel upgrades
Strong residential solar adoption in this area due to higher home values and environmental awareness
Typical System
8-12 kW
Cost Range
$23,600-$35,400
Permitting
Standard city permit, 2-4 weeks
Hillside homes with panoramic views
Steep hillside terrain means roof orientation is critical: south-facing slopes are excellent, north-facing are poor
Many homes have limited roof area due to narrow lots on the hillside
The hilltop itself (Grandview Ave area) has good sun exposure above the tree line
Access for installation crews can be challenging on steep streets and narrow lots
Panoramic southern views indicate good solar potential for homes along the ridge
Typical System
5-9 kW
Cost Range
$14,750-$26,550
Permitting
Standard city permit, 2-4 weeks
Victorian homes, row houses, new development
Shadyside Victorians have large complex rooflines; south-facing sections work well
East Liberty new construction is often solar-ready with adequate electrical infrastructure
Row houses in both neighborhoods have compact flat roofs suitable for flush-mount systems
Some Victorian properties fall in Shadyside Historic District and may need additional review
Dense tree canopy along Walnut and Ellsworth streets can create shading issues
Typical System
6-10 kW
Cost Range
$17,700-$29,500
Permitting
Standard permit; historic areas may add 2-4 weeks
Row houses, mixed-use, steep terrain
South Side Flats has a grid layout with many south-facing row house roofs that are ideal for solar
The Slopes neighborhood has extreme terrain and limited roof access for some properties
Carson Street commercial corridor has flat-roof buildings suitable for commercial solar
Compact row house roofs in the Flats typically fit 4-7 kW systems
Newer renovations along the waterfront have updated electrical panels
Typical System
4-8 kW
Cost Range
$11,800-$23,600
Permitting
Standard city permit, 2-4 weeks
Row houses, historic neighborhoods
Mexican War Streets has a designated historic district requiring design review for exterior changes
Deutschtown row houses have compact flat roofs well-suited for solar arrays
Proximity to I-279 and Allegheny River means good sun exposure without tall buildings blocking light
Older brick construction typically requires ballasted racking systems on flat roofs
Community groups in the area have expressed interest in group solar purchasing programs
Typical System
5-8 kW
Cost Range
$14,750-$23,600
Permitting
Standard permit; Mexican War Streets historic review adds 3-5 weeks
Single-family homes, larger lots
Larger suburban homes with 1,500-2,500 sq ft roof areas can accommodate 10-15 kW systems
Less tree shading than city neighborhoods in many newer subdivisions
Separate municipal permitting from City of Pittsburgh but typically straightforward
Some areas served by West Penn Power instead of Duquesne Light; check your utility
These suburbs have the highest solar adoption rates in the Pittsburgh metro area
Typical System
10-15 kW
Cost Range
$29,500-$44,250
Permitting
Municipal permit, 2-3 weeks (varies by borough)
Pittsburgh has a strong sustainability culture driven by the Pittsburgh 2030 District and the Green Building Alliance. While primarily targeting commercial properties, these initiatives have created a favorable environment for residential solar adoption.
Pittsburgh 2030 District is one of the largest in the country with 500+ properties committed to carbon reduction
Strong sustainability awareness drives higher solar adoption rates in participating neighborhoods
Green Building Alliance provides educational resources and contractor referrals for residential solar
Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan targets 100% clean electricity for city operations by 2030
Solar-friendly permitting culture: city building department is experienced with solar applications
At Duquesne $0.20/kWh
12.6 SRECs at $28 avg
No exemption in PA
After all costs
With 2% rate escalation
With longer payback periods in Pittsburgh, PPA and lease become even more attractive since they offer immediate savings with $0 upfront while the financing company captures the ITC.
Best for: Homeowners who can afford upfront cost and want maximum long-term savings
Best for: Homeowners who want ownership benefits without large upfront payment
Best for: Most PA homeowners in 2026 — MORE attractive post-ITC because the financing company claims the 30% Section 48 ITC and passes savings as a lower rate
Best for: Homeowners who want predictable monthly costs with no maintenance responsibility
Solar panels in Pittsburgh cost $2.75-$3.15 per watt installed, with an average of $2.95/W. For a typical 12 kW system, the total cost is approximately $35,400 before the 6% PA sales tax ($2,124), bringing the all-in cost to about $37,524. There is no federal tax credit for homeowners (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025), no PA state tax credit, and no property tax exemption.
Pittsburgh receives 3.5-4.0 peak sun hours per day, producing about 1,050 kWh per kW per year. This is lower than Philadelphia (1,250 kWh/kW) but still produces meaningful savings. A 12 kW system generates approximately 12,600 kWh per year, enough to offset most household electricity usage. The lower production is partially offset by lower installation costs in western PA.
Pittsburgh solar systems have an approximate 11-year payback period for cash purchases. This is longer than Philadelphia (9-10 years) due to lower irradiance and a slightly lower Duquesne Light rate ($0.20/kWh vs PECO $0.21/kWh). However, the 25-year savings still exceed the cost, making solar a sound long-term investment even with Pittsburgh cloud cover.
Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are served by Duquesne Light, which offers 1:1 full retail net metering for systems up to 50 kW. Monthly excess credits at full retail rate, annual true-up at the PTC rate of $0.124/kWh. Duquesne Light has no proposed changes to its net metering policy, which is a positive compared to PPL territory.
Yes, Pittsburgh terrain significantly affects solar potential. South-facing hillside roofs can actually produce more energy than flat sites due to natural tilt toward the sun. North-facing slopes produce 20-30% less. Steep terrain also increases installation complexity and cost on some properties. Professional site surveys are essential in Pittsburgh to account for slope, orientation, and hillside shading.
The Pittsburgh 2030 District is a voluntary collaboration of building owners committed to reducing energy use and carbon emissions. While it primarily targets commercial properties, it has created strong awareness of clean energy in the Pittsburgh market. Residential homeowners in participating neighborhoods benefit from a culture of sustainability and often see higher property value premiums for solar homes.
In 2026 Pittsburgh, PPA is an especially attractive option. Since homeowners receive $0 federal tax credit on cash or loan purchases (Section 25D expired), but PPA companies can claim the 30% Section 48 commercial ITC until July 2026, those savings are passed through as a lower per-kWh rate. With Pittsburgh lower irradiance making cash payback longer, a PPA with zero upfront cost and immediate savings is compelling.
Pittsburgh systems produce fewer SRECs than Philadelphia due to lower irradiance. A 12 kW system in Pittsburgh generates about 12.6 SRECs/year (vs 15 SRECs for the same system in Philadelphia). At $22-$35/SREC, this is about $277-$441/year in Pittsburgh income. SRECs are traded state-wide on PJM-GATS at the same market price regardless of location.
We will assess your roof orientation, hillside exposure, Duquesne Light rate, and SREC potential to show you exactly what solar costs and saves for your Pittsburgh home.
Statewide costs, incentives, SRECs, and payback for all PA homeowners.
Read moreHow SRECs work, market prices, PJM-GATS, and the PRESS Act.
Read more1:1 retail credit, PTC true-up, and PPL tariff changes.
Read moreWhy PA solar works without 25D. PPA/lease options.
Read moreCompare financing in PA with no federal credit.
Read moreCompare to Philly: higher rates, more sun, higher costs.
Read morePricing: EnergySage Solar Marketplace (January 2026), NuWatt Energy PA installations.
Utility rates: Duquesne Light residential tariff schedule, effective January 2026.
SREC data: SRECTrade, Flett Exchange, PJM-GATS (February 2026).
Irradiance: NREL PVWatts for Pittsburgh (40.44N, -79.99W).
Pittsburgh 2030 District: Green Building Alliance, 2025 annual report.