15 Best Solar Companies in Pittsburgh, PA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Pittsburgh based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Pittsburgh, PA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Pittsburgh homeowner saves $1,306/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Pittsburgh
Hoping to go solar but trying to figure out which solar panel installer would be best for you? Although it can be difficult to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many great benefits. Since energy bills are getting higher and higher each year, many homeowners are considering making the switch to solar to save money on electricity for their homes.
If you’re planning on going solar, the first step to take is to find the best solar companies in Pittsburgh and compare quotes. That’s why we went ahead and put together a list of the best solar companies so you don’t have to.To receive free quotes from the best solar companies in Pittsburgh, you can click "get quote" below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Pittsburgh
Energy Independent Solutions
Free Quotes- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Green Rack Contracting
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Bluebird Sky Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Elysium Solar Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Connected Energy Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Scalo Solar Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
Solbridge Energy Advisors
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Envinity Solar | Pittsburgh
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Pennsylvania Solar Energy Company Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Raycycle
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Boom Pow DIY Solar LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Greentech Renewables - Pittsburgh
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Green Solar Systems LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
JB Solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
SolarAesthetics Panels Castles
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Pittsburgh
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Pittsburgh based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Pittsburgh
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Pennsylvania solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Pittsburgh
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has gone down significantly in the past several years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- The type of solar panels you’re planning on getting: More efficient models are more costly, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 0 of your overall installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $16,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- How much electricity your household consumes: Households that consume plenty of electricity each month may require more solar panels and, therefore, more upfront cost, but will also benefit more over time.
- Your household's power bills: Because of fairly high monthly energy bills in Pittsburgh, you could save about $1,600 a year with solar.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to decrease your electricity costs, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Pittsburgh homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Pittsburgh
There are a lot of reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them includes some government incentives that can help save you some money.Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 0 of how much your solar project cost when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Pittsburgh
There are tons of reasons to switch to solar energy, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Pittsburgh, though. A significant thing to think about is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time driving to work, your footprint may be greater, so adopting solar energy for your house can help offset that.In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 80 pounds each year. The good things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many Pittsburgh residents have been happy with committing to solar.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Pittsburgh, PA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installer in Pittsburgh?
The best local solar company in Pittsburgh is Energy Independent Solutions, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are some of the pros and cons of adopting solar power?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, completely cut your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and lower your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save as much if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels need a large upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels are less expensive but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can’t, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and how much energy generation you want.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.