Pennsylvania’s solar energy market, like the solar markets in other states, is largely dependent on a system of federal, state and local incentives to make solar installation desirable and profitable to investors, installers, developers and commercial or residential property owners. If the rates and incentives create a financially attractive mix for some or all of these parties, there is likely to be more solar system development and installation on rooftops, adjacent fields, parking lots and other locations. However, without a right mix of these incentives, solar development frequently lags because solar energy is relatively expensive to develop compared to more conventional energy sources.
Solar development in Pennsylvania, as in many other states, is (or has recently been for certain state incentives) eligible for a combination of significant federal tax credits or grants in lieu thereof (30 percent of the cost of the project), additional tax benefits, such as accelerated depreciation, state incentives and local utility incentive programs.
