FAQs

Solar in Pennsylvania

Does solar work well in Pennsylvania?

Yes, very well. Look around and you’ll see solar on homes, businesses, farms, and fields all across the state. The PVWatts model (from the national lab formerly known as NREL) estimates that a well-placed, south-facing array in the Lancaster and Harrisburg area produces roughly 1,300 to 1,365 kWh per year for every kilowatt of panels. That’s roughly a third to a half more than the same system would make in Germany, one of the world’s biggest solar markets.

A few more things work in our favor:

• Cold is good for panels. Solar panels are slightly more efficient when they’re cool, so a bright, crisp spring or fall day is close to ideal.
• Snow usually slides off. Panels are dark and tilted, so snow tends to slide off once the sun comes out. Most of our production comes from spring through fall anyway, and snow costs only a small share of the year’s output.
• Summer surplus carries into winter. Through net metering, extra power from sunny months is banked for darker months.

You can run your own address through the free PVWatts calculator (opens in new tab), or ask us for a site-specific estimate.

How does solar power work?

Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then converts that DC power into the alternating current (AC) your home uses. Some systems use one central inverter, and others use small microinverters on each panel. The AC electricity flows to your electrical panel to power your lights and appliances, and anything you don’t use right away goes out to the grid for credit.

How much energy does a solar panel produce? Can a solar energy system provide all of my electricity?

Today’s residential solar panels are typically rated around 400 to 450 watts each, and commercial panels around 550 to 650 watts.

Yes, a solar system can cover all of your electricity use over a year. We generally size your system to cover at least your past 12 months of electric usage, plus a little extra for normal panel degradation and for future upgrades like an EV charger. Most systems we design target 105% to 130% of your annual usage, depending on your situation, electric service size and budget.

In PA, summer surplus is banked as credits through net metering and used in winter, though you’ll still pay your utility’s fixed monthly customer charge.

Net Metering and Your Bill

What happens if my solar panels produce more electricity than I can use? Can I get any energy tax credits?

In Pennsylvania, extra power your system sends to the grid is credited through net metering. Each kWh you export offsets a kWh you would otherwise buy, at the full retail rate. Extra kWh are banked from month to month. At the end of the net metering year in May, any kWh left in the bank are paid out at your utility’s price to compare. See how banking and the year-end true-up work.

On tax credits: the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit is no longer available for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Pennsylvania homeowners may still earn and sell Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). Businesses and farms should check current federal incentives with a tax professional. See Solar Financing.

What happens to my banked credits at the end of the year?

Pennsylvania’s net metering year runs June 1 to May 31. At the May true-up, leftover kWh are paid as a dollar credit at the price to compare, which covers generation and transmission, and that credit goes toward future bills. The distribution part of leftover credits is forfeited, and your kWh bank starts again at zero in June. The details are in Part 2 of our Net Metering guide.

Why doesn’t my electric bill ever go all the way to zero?

Your utility charges a fixed monthly customer charge that solar credits can’t offset, so even in your sunniest months you’ll see that charge. Businesses may also pay a demand charge based on their peak usage. Part 1 of our Net Metering guide walks through each line on your bill.

I’m on a time-of-use (TOU) rate. Does solar still work for me?

Yes, but credits are tracked a little differently. On TOU, your utility typically keeps a separate generation bank for each pricing period, and leftover credits are paid at that period’s rate. TOU can pay off for homes that export a lot during peak hours, while a standard rate is simpler. Part 4 of our Net Metering guide covers TOU in detail.

Can a farm or business with several meters share solar credits?

Often, yes. Pennsylvania allows virtual net metering, also called virtual meter aggregation, for accounts held by the same customer on properties within two miles of each other and in the same utility’s territory. Credits go first to the meter the system feeds and are then shared across the others. Read how meter aggregation works.

Batteries and Backup Power

What happens at night or during a power outage?

At night your home draws power from the grid as usual, and your net metering credits from sunny hours cover it. During an outage, grid-tied solar panels shut off by law to protect line workers. A home battery with a backup gateway keeps your power on, and it lets your panels keep recharging the battery during the outage. Learn more on our Home Battery Storage page.

Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?

Usually. Many recent systems were installed with an inverter designed to accept a battery later. Older systems can often add a battery with its own inverter alongside the existing one. We’ll look at your equipment and recommend the simplest option. See Adding a battery to existing solar.

Plug-In Solar

Is plug-in (balcony) solar legal in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania doesn’t have a plug-in solar law yet. House Bill 1971, which would allow it, is still in committee. Today a unit that can send power to the grid generally needs an interconnection agreement with your utility. Our Plug-In Solar page tracks where the bill stands.

Service and Maintenance

Will you service a solar system that another company installed?

Yes. We service solar systems no matter who installed them, including older systems and those out of warranty. If your installer has gone out of business, give us a call. We can verify your system is working as designed and make any repairs. See Solar Service & Repair.

How do I keep squirrels out from under my panels?

Squirrels like to nest under rooftop panels and can chew through wiring, and that damage isn’t covered under any warranty. We can install a critter guard system around the perimeter of your panels to keep them out, and we recommend it for any system near trees. Learn more about critter guard installation.

I need a new roof. What happens to my solar panels?

We can remove your solar system before the roof work begins and reinstall it once the new roof is on. We coordinate the timing directly with your roofing contractor. See roof removal and reinstallation.

Do solar panels need to be cleaned?

Usually not in Pennsylvania. We get enough steady rain to keep panels clean, and spring pollen typically washes off with the next good rain. Cleaning can help in unusual conditions, like lots of nearby trees dropping leaves or sap, or older panels that hold onto dirt. We offer panel cleaning when it’s needed.

Choosing a System

Should I choose a roof mount, a ground mount, or a dual-axis tracker?

A roof mount uses space you already have and is usually the simplest option. A ground mount can be placed in the sunniest spot and sized beyond your roof. A dual-axis tracker follows the sun all day and typically produces 35% to 45% more energy per panel than a fixed array. We’ll help you weigh your site, shading, and budget.

What areas do you serve?

We’re headquartered in Manheim, PA, and serve homes, farms, businesses, and non-profits across southeastern and south-central Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. See our full list of service locations.

What warranties come with a Trifecta Solar system?

Trifecta Solar backs every installation with a 10-year workmanship warranty. Your panels and inverters also carry their own manufacturer warranties. For qualifying systems, total system coverage can be extended up to 30 years through Solar Insure.

Cost and Financing

OK. The advantages of solar power sound good, but I know that a solar electric system will cost much more than a monthly electric bill, or even a year’s worth of electric bills. So what is the real cost of solar panels? How much will a solar electric system cost up front, and how long will my payback period be?

These questions have no single answer because residential solar costs and savings depend on the system size, equipment, roof or site conditions, financing terms, electricity usage, utility rates and available incentives. Residential systems typically cost between $15,000 and $30,000 before financing costs or optional battery storage, but homeowners should obtain a site-specific proposal.

We also design and install commercial, agricultural, and non-profit solar systems. Costs for those vary widely with system size and site, so we price each project individually.

The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit is no longer available for expenditures made after December 31, 2025.

Pennsylvania homeowners may still benefit from net metering and may be able to earn and sell Solar Renewable Energy Credits. Leases and power purchase agreements can lower upfront costs, but you won't own the system. PPAs are the riskier of the two: you're locked into buying power from another company for 20 to 25 years, usually at a price that climbs 2.5% to 5% every year, often faster than utility rates. We generally recommend owning your system. Trifecta Solar can prepare a customized estimate showing the projected cost, energy production and potential payback for your home.

How can I pay for solar now that the federal tax credit has ended?

Many homeowners pay cash or use a solar loan, home improvement loan, or home equity loan. We work with Atmos Financial and often recommend Orrstown Bank. Owning your system lets you keep the bill savings and any SREC income. Commercial and agricultural projects may still qualify for federal incentives, depending on timing. See Solar Financing for your options.