Scranton, PA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Solar PV permitting in Scranton follows the standard PA UCC two-permit pattern. The building permit reviews structural loading of the existing roof under IRC Chapter 8 (roof-ceiling construction) and the 2018 IRC's residential snow and wind loads — Scranton sits in northeast Pennsylvania's heavier-snow zone (typical ground snow load 35-40 psf per ASCE 7 mapping for Lackawanna County), so structural review for added panel weight plus snow is important. Plan review may require a stamped letter from a PA-licensed structural engineer for older homes where rafter sizing or attachment cannot be verified from existing drawings — a frequent issue for Scranton's many anthracite-era homes with undersized framing. The electrical permit covers Article 690 of the National Electrical Code (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) as adopted by the PA UCC — disconnect requirements, rapid shutdown under NEC 690.12, conductor sizing, grounding, and labeling. Interconnection with PPL Electric Utilities, which serves Scranton and most of northeastern PA, follows the utility's net-metering tariff filed with the PA Public Utility Commission under 52 Pa Code §75.13. The PUC's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) regulations at 52 Pa Code Ch. 75 (implementing 73 P.S. §§1648.1-1648.8) require utilities to source a portion of generation from solar (Tier I AEPS) and provide Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) tradable in PA's market. The PA Solar Easement Act (68 P.S. §§700.1-700.6) lets property owners create recorded easements that protect solar access from shading by neighbors, but creation is voluntary. Scranton is generally a permissive solar jurisdiction; expedited review may be available for small residential systems under PA UCC procedures, but local historic-district designation (e.g., Downtown Scranton Historic District) may add architectural review.