Pennsylvania House Bill 1842 of 2024 would create a statewide community-solar program letting Philadelphia renters subscribe to shared arrays for bill credits. The bill stalled in committee, so PECO customers cannot yet purchase community-solar shares within Philadelphia city limits.
Twenty-four states and DC authorize community solar where customers buy or lease subscriptions in offsite arrays and receive utility-bill credits. Pennsylvania remains an outlier; HB 1842 of the 2023-2024 session, sponsored by Representative Vitali, would have amended 66 Pa.C.S. section 2806 to require investor-owned utilities to interconnect community solar up to five megawatts and credit subscribers at retail rates. The bill cleared the House Consumer Affairs Committee but did not reach a floor vote before sine die. Until passage, Philadelphia residents lacking suitable rooftops can only access shared solar through voluntary green-tariff subscriptions or third-party suppliers under PUC choice rules. The Philadelphia Energy Authority operates the Solarize Philly purchase program, which is not a community-solar substitute.
Because no community-solar law is in force, no Philadelphia operators currently market subscriptions; advertising unauthorized subscription credits violates PA UTPCPL section 201-2 deceptive-practice rules, with civil penalties up to three thousand dollars per violation.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections runs an expedited EZ Solar permit pathway for one- and two-family residential rooftop photovoltaic system...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia permits solar collectors in all zoning districts under Β§14-604(7). Roof-mounted systems on 1-2 family homes of 10kW or less qualify for an EZ pe...
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania does not have a statewide solar access law that overrides HOA restrictions on solar panels. Philadelphia's zoning code Β§14-604(7) permits solar ...
See how Philadelphia's community solar rules stack up against other locations.
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