Alexander SumnerI used to get a little nervous every time I opened my electric bill. No matter how careful I was about turning off lights or adjusting the thermostat, it always felt like the number just kept going up.
After a while, I started wondering if there was another way to get those costs down—maybe it was time to let the sun help out for a change.
So, I did what any curious (and slightly frustrated) Philly homeowner would do: I dug into research, called a bunch of companies, and even went on a few “roof tours” around my neighborhood to check out who was actually doing good work.
After all that, I found the solar companies that really stood out—honest folks who know their stuff and actually make going solar easy.
If you’re tired of high bills and want a straight-up guide to the best solar providers in Philadelphia, you’re in the right place.
How much does solar panel installation cost in Philadelphia?
Solar panel installations in Philadelphia usually cost between $15,000 and $40,000 before incentives. Final prices depend on system size, panel type, roof complexity, and additional features like batteries.
1. EMT Solar and Roofing
Address: 523 Hollywood Ave, 3rd Floor, Cherry Hill Township, 08002
Contact Details: (866) 264-3065
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Friday – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
The founders of EMT Solar & Roofing started the company with one goal in mind: to provide renewable energy that would last a lifetime.
They work on both residential and commercial projects, offering custom solar system designs, in-house consultations, and complete installation services.
I also learned that they can update or repair your roof, siding, and gutters as part of the installation. This helps streamline the project and prevent potential issues down the road.
The team behind this work is GAF Certified Master Elite installers—a certification recognized industry-wide for quality roofing workmanship.
EMT also makes going solar more accessible by offering a solar panels-as-a-service leasing option. This means you can lease panels instead of buying them outright, helping to lower upfront costs for homeowners and businesses.
Keep in mind, though, that the cost of additional services can add up quickly, so it’s a good idea to set your budget ahead of time and be clear on what’s included.
That said, many customers feel that the quality of EMT’s work and the professionalism of the team make the investment worth it.
We are very satisfied of EMT and especially Kelly, our key contact
“My husband and I had been researching solar companies for several years. It was not until we met Kelly and we knew EMT was the business for us. He was knowledgeable about the process, the materials and those extra needs that we would have to complete the project. While we are still waiting for the inspector to come, Kelly continues to be there for any questions we may have. He is not one to come in, sell the product then leave. He is here for the duration. EMT arranged our beautiful new roof installation (Dave Adam’s Roofing and Siding) and tree removal (Medina’s); both excellent companies. Kelly stopped by several times (with our permission) to check on the progress. The company had a full team for the installation. The team came in about 8:30 am and completed the job by 4. We are very satisfied of EMT and especially Kelly, our key contact throughout this project.”
– Stacie H, Google Review
The entire process was smooth and well-coordinated
“I had a wonderful experience with EMT Solar. I entered into a power purchase agreement, and the price was very fair. The roofing materials used were top-notch GAF architectural shingles, and the quality was excellent. Both the roof and the solar panels come with solid warranties, giving me peace of mind. The entire process was smooth and well-coordinated. My salesman, Joseph Murin, was phenomenal and ensured we were well taken care of. EMT Solar is big enough to offer quality service, yet small enough to stand behind their work. Of course, no project is without its bumps, but EMT Solar made sure we were completely satisfied in the end. I would highly recommend them, and as a hard customer, I’m thoroughly pleased with the results.”
– Ed Kopczynski, Google Review
2. Pennstar Solar LLC
Address: 315 Berkeley Rd, Merion Station, 19066
Contact Details: (610) 900-6405
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday- Closed
Pennstar Solar feels distinctly local, with the owners themselves involved and even helping design the solar setup for each home or business.
They install Tier 1 solar panels with at least a 25-year warranty and work with well-known brands like Enphase, SolarEdge, and Tesla Powerwall.
The installation itself seems thorough, especially since the team has over a decade of solar experience.
Multiple folks have praised the communication with the crew, saying that having a dedicated single point of contact kept everything organized and easy to follow.
Once your system is up and running, you get a 10-year workmanship warranty along with the standard manufacturer coverage.
But do note that Pennstar doesn’t offer in-house financing. This means you’ll likely need to arrange financing through one of their recommended partners or a bank of your choice.
Really helped me understand the full scope of the project
“Mike was super easy to work with. He was very responsive to emails and really helped me understand the full scope of the project and stuck with me afterwards as I had questions about how my utility was reacting and doing things as they set up net metering. Competitive pricing and fantastic service!”
– Wyatt Bixby, Google Review
From the initial consult to the finished product, I felt confident with Mike
“Would highly recommend Mike and his team of installers for your solar project. We originally heard about Pennstar Solar from a friend who worked in the commercial solar business. This same friend trusted Pennstar Solar to install a solar system on his own roof and spoke highly of Mike. With the high price tag of solar, I came to Mike with a lot of questions initially. He explained everything to me clearly, and consistently got back to me with any questions throughout the process. From the initial consult to the finished product, I felt confident with Mike and continue to rely on him for followup questions regarding our new solar system and its many benefits. If you’re thinking about solar, I would certainly go with Pennstar Solar.”
– Edward Wilson, Google Review
3. Solr Standard
Address: 825 Mearns Rd, Warminster, PA 18974
Contact Details: (844) 727-2903
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
Because Solr Standard is licensed and insured, you know they’re legit. They take care of all the permits and utility interconnection, so you don’t have to worry about it.
One of the ways they do this is by helping you find financing options that fit your needs and budget. They’ll even guide you through available state and federal incentives.
To help you understand potential benefits, Solr provide detailed proposals that break down your expected energy production and long-term savings.
Each solar system they design is also tailored to your home or business, making sure you get the most out of your setup. They mainly use Tier 1 monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels, focusing on proven technology for reliability and performance.
The only thing I’d change is that they don’t list the specific brands of panels they use. It’s not a major issue, since they seem committed to quality panels overall.
But if choosing a particular brand is important to you, you would need to ask them directly for more details.
Both installs (roof & panels) were each completed in less than a day
“Impressive teamwork throughout the process that began this past June. I must have been contacted by at least a dozen members (Robert, Pat, et al) to ensure my needs were being met (new roof) and that we remained on course as we navigated our way through the electric coop’s requirements. Both installs (roof & panels) were each completed in less than a day. The photo was taken last Friday just after the panel install. Robert, thanks to your entire team for making this project happen so efficiently. Fair winds… Steve”
– Steve Culpepper, Google Review
The solar install was clean, efficient, and very well-explained
“I had an excellent experience working with Rob & his team at Solr Standard! They handled both my full roof replacement and the installation of my new solar system, and everything turned out better than I expected. The entire team was professional, punctual, and incredibly thorough. The roof looks fantastic, and the solar install was clean, efficient, and very well-explained. They kept me updated throughout the whole process, answered all my questions, and made sure I understood how to get the most out of my new system. It’s rare to find a company that delivers top-notch workmanship and great customer service, but these guys nailed it. I’m already seeing the energy savings and couldn’t be happier with the result. Highly recommend! ☀️🏡”
– Tom, Google Review
4. Finray Solar
Address: 29 Bala Ave, 19004
Contact Details: (484) 434-8179
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
Finray Solar isn’t a traditional installer that puts panels on your roof. Instead, they act more like a clean energy connector that helps customers access solar in several ways.
But here’s where it gets interesting: if you’re renting, or your roof just isn’t right for solar, their community solar program is a great way to still take part. They can even help you switch your electricity rate to save a little extra cash.
Their sign-up process is digital—you pick a local solar farm, enroll online, and manage your account through their easy-to-use portal. Most people end up saving between 10–25% on their energy bills, and the best part is there’s no upfront cost.
There aren’t any long-term contracts either, and you can walk away anytime without a penalty. That level of freedom is pretty rare in the solar world.
What you won’t find, at least not easily, are specifics about the panel brands. I wish there were a little more transparency on panel quality and what to expect when it comes to actual hardware.
Helped us through the process, and ensured everything was handled correctly
“I want to recognize Foxx Johnson for the outstanding experience in introducing us to Community Solar which can help reduce the electric bill. He was very knowledgeable, professional, attentive, efficient, and customer service oriented. He took the time to explain the company, the benefits, and the process to join. He made sure we understood everything as well as answered all of our questions. He helped us through the process, and ensured everything was handled correctly. Outstanding!”
– Toni Scott, Google Review
Took the time to listen to my concerns
“Natasha was very knowledgeable about the product and took the time to listen to my concerns. She was completely transparent about expectations and timeframes. Even though I was in a rush, she worked quickly without seeming flustered and remained professional the entire time. Great customer service experience!”
– AJ Jones, Google Review
5. Lumina Solar PA
Address: 1004 Gravel Pike, Hereford Township, 18070
Contact Details: (800) 971-6118
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Lumina Solar uses advanced tools to create solar setups that fit each home’s or business’s energy needs and roof layout.
Their systems are built to handle everything, from electrical wiring and testing to the final commissioning—and they come with a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.
They also offer ongoing support. With real-time monitoring, you can check your system’s performance anytime, and help is just a phone call away if something needs attention.
For even more reliability and savings, you have the option to add a battery like the Tesla Powerwall, which gives you backup power during outages or lets you take advantage of smart energy use.
Lumina’s consultants will guide you through every step of the process, from your first call through design, quoting, and financing options like loans, leases, or power purchase agreements.
But I’ve heard from a few customers that the wait for installation can stretch longer than expected, especially when demand is high or during busy months. This isn’t unusual in the solar industry, but it’s still worth noting if you’re hoping for a faster turnaround.
We appreciated Christopher’s honesty throughout the entire process
“Christopher Richardson, our Residential Solar Consultant, was exceptional. He patiently answered our constant stream of questions before, during, and after we committed. His professionalism — and Lumina Solar’s — spoke volumes and reinforced why we chose them. We especially appreciated Christopher’s honesty and guidance throughout the entire process. If we were to do it again, we would absolutely choose Lumina Solar.”
– Paul Sgambato, Google Review
My panels were installed in just a few months
“I highly recommend Lumina Solar and my Consultant Gabe Shabtai. Gabe was very helpful and accelerated my movement through the process. My panels were installed in just a few months when other companies said it would take over twice as long. I’ve had my panels for nine months now and couldn’t be happier.”
– Kenneth Willey, Google Review
