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Cheltenham Township borders Philadelphia and shares the same excellent eastern PA solar irradiance at ~1,250 kWh/kW/year. PECO rates at $0.21/kWh and SRECs add ~$315/year. No federal ITC for homeowners.
Cost Range
$2.8-$3.1
Per watt installed
Avg System
9 kW
~$26,550 gross
Payback
11.9 yrs
Cash purchase
PECO Rate
$0.21
Per kWh
2026 Reality: The 30% federal solar tax credit (25D) expired Dec 31, 2025. All Cheltenham costs reflect $0 federal credit. Third-party PPA/lease providers can still claim Section 48 until July 2026. What this means for you
A typical 9 kW system costs $26,550 before taxes. Add 6% PA sales tax ($1,593) for an all-in cost of $28,143. Annual SREC income of $315/year plus PECO net metering savings deliver a payback of approximately 11.9 years.
Gross Cost (9 kW)
$26,550
~$2.95/W avg
6% Sales Tax
+$1,593
No exemption in PA
All-In Cost
$28,143
Cash purchase
SREC Income/yr
$315
11.3 SRECs @ $28
Cheltenham homes typically need 6-12 kW systems. Costs use the $2.95/W average and include 6% PA sales tax.
| System Size | Gross Cost | +6% Tax | All-In Cost | SREC/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $17,700 | +$1,062 | $18,762 | $210 | 11.9 yrs |
| 8 kW | $23,600 | +$1,416 | $25,016 | $280 | 11.9 yrs |
| 9 kW | $26,550 | +$1,593 | $28,143 | $315 | 11.9 yrs |
| 10 kW | $29,500 | +$1,770 | $31,270 | $350 | 11.9 yrs |
| 12 kW | $35,400 | +$2,124 | $37,524 | $420 | 11.9 yrs |
PA tax burden: 6% sales tax adds $1,593 to a typical system. Solar also increases your Montgomery County property tax by ~$450/year. NJ exempts solar from both taxes.
Cheltenham is served by PECO Energy. Strong net metering with no proposed changes makes this one of the safest PA markets for solar.
Monthly credits
1:1 full retail rate ($0.21/kWh)
Annual true-up
Excess paid at PTC rate ($0.11/kWh)
Max system size
50 kW residential
Policy threat
None for PECO
Interconnection time
3-5 weeks typical
Borders Philadelphia — shares the same competitive installer market with strong pricing
Eastern PA irradiance at 1,250 kWh/kW/year is the best production zone in PA
PECO rate of $0.21/kWh is the highest in PA, maximizing net metering value
No PECO net metering policy threat (unlike PPL with proposed July 2026 changes)
Diverse housing stock from row homes to colonials — solar works on most roof types
PA SRECs
11.3 SRECs/yr at $28/SREC avg.
1:1 Net Metering (PECO)
Full retail credit monthly. Stable PECO policy.
Section 48 ITC (PPA/Lease)
Third-party claims ITC, passes savings as lower rate. Deadline July 4, 2026.
Federal 25D ITC
Expired Dec 31, 2025. $0 for cash/loan purchases.
Sales Tax Exemption
PA charges 6% sales tax on solar.
Property Tax Exemption
No exemption — solar increases your tax bill.
Solar adds to assessed value. At Montgomery County rates:
Victorian and early 20th century homes, tree-lined streets
Larger homes with varied roof lines — south-facing gables are excellent for solar
Historic character with mature tree canopy; some properties need tree trimming for optimal production
Close proximity to SEPTA R7 train means high property values support solar investment
Mix of single-family and multi-unit properties; condos may need association approval
Typical System
8-10 kW
Cost Range
$23,600-$29,500
Permitting
Township permit, 2-4 weeks
Post-war colonials and split-levels
1950s-1970s homes with simple, clean roof geometries ideal for flush-mount panels
Lower density than inner-suburb areas means better sun exposure across all orientations
Most homes have 200-amp electrical panels adequate for solar interconnection
Strong community interest in solar — several group-buy initiatives in recent years
Typical System
8-12 kW
Cost Range
$23,600-$35,400
Permitting
Township permit, 2-4 weeks
Row homes, twins, and small single-family
More affordable housing stock with smaller roofs suitable for 5-8 kW systems
Row homes and twins have flat or low-slope roofs that work well for solar
Denser neighborhood means some shading from adjacent structures on east-west exposures
PPA/lease is particularly attractive here due to lower upfront cost tolerance
Typical System
5-8 kW
Cost Range
$14,750-$23,600
Permitting
Township permit, 2-4 weeks
Gross system cost
$26,550
6% PA sales tax
+$1,593
Total all-in cost
$28,143
Net metering savings/yr
$2,363
SREC income/yr
$315
Property tax increase/yr
-$450
Payback Period
~11.9 years
25-Year Net Savings
$42,247
Upfront cost
$0
Section 48 ITC
30% claimed by financing company
Typical savings
20-40% lower per-kWh rate
SREC income
Kept by third-party
Contract term
20-25 years
Post-ITC shift: PPA/lease is now the most attractive option for many Cheltenham homeowners since the financing company captures the 30% ITC.
Solar panels in Cheltenham cost $2.80-$3.10 per watt installed, averaging about $2.95/W. For a typical 9 kW system, the gross cost is approximately $26,550 plus 6% PA sales tax ($1,593), totaling $28,143. There is no federal residential tax credit in 2026 (Section 25D expired Dec 31, 2025).
Cheltenham solar systems have approximately a 9-10 year payback for cash purchases. PECO rates of $0.21/kWh plus 1:1 net metering and SREC income of $200-350 per year drive the savings. Eastern PA irradiance at ~1,250 kWh/kW/year provides the best production in the state.
Yes. Cheltenham benefits from eastern PA irradiance (best in state), PECO net metering with no policy threats, and competitive installer pricing due to proximity to the Philadelphia market. The main challenge is PA tax treatment: 6% sales tax on equipment and no property tax exemption.
All of Cheltenham Township is served by PECO Energy, which has the highest retail rate in PA at $0.21/kWh. PECO offers 1:1 full retail net metering with no proposed changes, making it the safest utility for solar investment in the state.
Yes. Twins and row houses in Cheltenham work well for solar, especially those with flat or low-slope roofs. Typical systems are 5-8 kW on smaller roof areas. Shared walls eliminate side shading between attached units. Your installer will assess your specific roof orientation and available space.
In 2026, PPA is more attractive than before because homeowners get $0 federal tax credit on purchases, but the PPA company claims the 30% Section 48 ITC and passes savings as a lower rate. For Cheltenham homeowners who do not want a large upfront cost, PPA typically saves 20-40% on PECO bills with $0 down.
We will assess your roof, PECO rate, and SREC potential to show you exactly what solar costs for your Cheltenham home.
Statewide costs, incentives, SRECs, and payback.
Read moreSolar costs in nearby Philadelphia — PECO territory.
Read moreNeighboring Montgomery County suburb solar guide.
Read more1:1 retail credit, PTC true-up, and PPL policy changes.
Read moreCompare financing with no federal credit.
Read moreSREC prices, PJM-GATS, and the PRESS Act.
Read morePricing: EnergySage Solar Marketplace (January 2026), NuWatt Energy PA installations.
Utility rates: PECO Energy R-1 residential tariff schedule, effective January 2026.
SREC data: SRECTrade, Flett Exchange, PJM-GATS (February 2026).
Net metering: PA PUC Act 213/Act 35 guidelines.
Tax data: PA Department of Revenue, Montgomery County Assessment Office.