A Guide to Philadelphia’s Solar Rebate
1.) Before you start the application process, get together the following documents to reference:
- Final Proposal from Solar States – either electronic or hardcopy as provided by us;
- Permission to Operate (PTO) – should have been emailed to you by PECO a few weeks after the installation; and
- Inspection Approval Certificate – this will come from us in your home owners manual, we get this a few weeks after your PTO from the city, if you do not have this yet it is because we did not receive it or have yet to send you out your manual.
- Owner’s Manual Packet – This would have come from us once we have all your final inspections and permits.
You can find sample documents linked below for you to reference. We have highlighted the areas where you can find the necessary information as described below.
2.) Once you are ready with these documents head over to Phila.gov/solar-rebate to start your application.
Note: The application needs to be submitted by property owner as listed on the deed. To check your property go to: Property.phila.gov
Not in any specific order, the following are helpful hints to where you can find the information you need. Read through this list as you work your way through the application:
| Information | Location | Notes |
| Installer Contact Person | Proposal | Your Salesperson |
| Install Date | Permission to Operate (PTO) [last page] |
This is the date your system was given PTO from PECO |
| System Size (kW) DC | Proposal / PTO | This number is in kW (i.e., the total number of panels multiplied by their respective wattage) |
| Electrical Consumption (kWh): Pre-Solar Installation | Proposal | This is the number that the offset is based on and is titled “Current Annual Usage”. This is in units of kWh. |
| Year One Production (kWh) | Proposal | This is the number that is titled “Solar Production Estimate”. This is in units of kWh. |
| Household Income | — | The PEA is interested in learning how financially accessible solar is in the city. We want as many people to go solar as possible and need to see how we can make that happen through rebates and incentives from the city like this. |
The expected turnaround time for a complete application is 4-6 weeks. We want to make sure your application is good on the first go so you do not have to resubmit with any missing information.
We continue to be here to help you get the information you need to get the most out of your solar array. If you have any questions on any of these items, please submit a form near the bottom of this page.
Sample Permission to Operate
Sample Inspection Approval Certificate
Jerilyn received her rebate check this week. Jerilyn is happy.
About this program..
The Philadelphia Solar Rebate was created to help spur solar in Philadelphia in the wake of government tariffs and financial concerns of property owners. The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) consulted Solar States’ Micah Gold-Markel before bringing the proposal to the city. Initially, the rebate was to make $1 million in rebates available to residential and commercial property owners in Philadelphia. Micah proposed $500k per year for the next 5 years, for a total of $2.5 million in solar rebates.
The rebate was authorized, granting commercial property owners $.10 / watt and residential property owners $.20 / watt for any solar project installed after July 2019. This program may or may not be extended in 2024, dependent on its success.
More information on this Philadelphia rebate..
Any questions? Ask us anything!
About Solar States
Solar States is a solar installer and educator based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We are a certified B-Corp and Best for the World Nominee in both 2018 and 2019. We can install solar on any roof – residential or commercial – in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Maryland. If you have any questions about a transition to a sustainable energy system for your property, we can answer them.
Founded with a dual mission to install solar and educate the next generation.
