Plug-In Solar in Pennsylvania — Legislation Pending
Bill: HB 1971 — Plug-In Solar Device Consumer Protection Act
Sponsor: Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler
Legislative Status: Referred to the House Energy Committee on October 28, 2025. No committee vote is listed in the official record as of August 21, 2026.
Current Status: Pending — Referred to House Energy Committee
Is Plug-In Solar Legal in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has active plug-in solar legislation under HB 1971, currently in committee, but it has not been enacted. Before installing or connecting equipment, confirm current utility or interconnection rules, local code or permit requirements, property or lease conditions, outlet and electrical suitability, and the equipment listing and manufacturer instructions.
Last Updated: August 21, 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 16.2¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $195/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 6¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.3 |
| Retail Choice | full |
Key Provisions
Would exempt certified plug-in solar devices from PUC interconnection requirements. Bipartisan co-sponsors.
Law Provisions
| Effective Date | Not specified in bill text |
| Wattage Limit | 1,200 watts |
| UL 3700 | not_mentioned — UL or equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory certification required |
| HOA Provision | Not addressed in the bill text. |
| Renter Provision | Not addressed in the bill text. |
| Utility Approval | Waived |
| Permit Required | Not addressed |
| Backfeed/Net Metering | Not explicitly addressed. |
| Key Differences | One of the first plug-in solar bills introduced in the mid-Atlantic region. Follows the standard 1,200W definition used in most state bills. |
| Notable Omissions | Does not address HOA restrictions, renter rights, net metering, or building permits. Bill text closely mirrors the model legislation template. |
What You Can Do
If passed: self-install without PECO or PPL approval.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Law not yet enacted. Pennsylvania utilities currently require interconnection agreements.
Available Rebates & Incentives
Pennsylvania SREC program allows solar owners to earn and sell certificates for each MWh generated. PECO offers a $500 residential solar rebate for new installations. Pennsylvania net metering provides full retail credit for excess solar generation. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
Incentive Program Links
- Pennsylvania SREC Program — PUC — Earn Solar Renewable Energy Certificates for each MWh of solar generation.
- PECO — Residential Solar Rebate — One-time $500 rebate for new residential solar installations in PECO territory.
- DSIRE — Pennsylvania Solar Incentives — Full list of Pennsylvania state and utility solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 13,059,432 |
| Total Households | 5,274,853 |
| Owner-Occupied | 4,076,060 |
| Renter-Occupied | 1,806,161 |
| Single-Family Homes | 3,522,269 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 615,578 |
| Median Household Income | $77,971 |
| Median Home Value | $254,500 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.64 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 20° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1054 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | May-August |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| PECO | ~1.7 million customers | Yes |
| PPL Electric Utilities | ~1.5 million customers | Yes |
| West Penn Power | ~720,000 customers | Yes |
| Duquesne Light Company | ~600,000 customers | Yes |
| Penelec | ~600,000 customers | Yes |
News Coverage
- Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm — Canary Media (February 2026)
Explore Your Next Steps in Pennsylvania
Use these tools and guides alongside the state-specific rules above to evaluate your space, potential savings, and the right connection approach.
- Compare every state — Return to the national tracker to compare enacted laws, pending bills, and unclear jurisdictions.
- Check your PA setup readiness — Review placement, outlet, property, and state-rule questions before choosing equipment.
- Estimate savings in Pennsylvania — Use your location and setup assumptions to estimate bill savings and storage value.
- Pennsylvania Just Passed an HOA Solar Rights Bill. Here’s What It Means for Plug-In Solar. — Read the most relevant PlugInSolarUS article for Pennsylvania.
- Follow the national legislation picture — See how pending proposals compare with enacted plug-in solar frameworks in other states.