Ohio Solar Incentives (Rebates, Tax Credits & More in 2023)
By Karsten Neumeister /
In this guide to Ohio’s best solar companies, we’ll answer your questions including:
Each product and or company featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Installing a solar panel system in Ohio usually pays for itself and then saves an additional $19,272 on utility bills after that point. With below-average per-watt costs for photovoltaic (PV) equipment, installing solar panels in Ohio is almost always worthwhile.
While the decision to go solar is usually an easy one, one of the harder things to do is choose a solar provider. In this guide, we’ll be discussing what we believe are the best solar companies in Ohio. We’ll provide key information about each provider and explain what we think you should look for in an installer to guarantee the best experience possible.
We’ve spent dozens of hours researching solar installers in Ohio to find the best of the best. The following is a list of what we believe are the best solar companies in Ohio. We strongly believe that any of these companies will deliver an above-average solar conversion experience and equipment that will help maximize your savings over time.
Overall, we recommend SunPower or ADT Solar for most Ohio solar customers. These companies service the entire state and provide access to high-quality panels and lengthy warranty coverages. The table below includes a side-by-side look at these providers and how they stack up against some other top-rated solar panel installation companies in your area.
Solar Providers | Superlative | Our Score | Avg Cost ($–$$$$$) | Warranty | Financing Options | Get Quote |
SunPower | Best National Provider | 5/5 | $$$$ | Minimum of 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
ADT Solar | Best Warranty Coverage | 4/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash or solar loan | Get Quote |
Blue Raven Solar | Best Financing Program | 4.5/5 | $$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship | Cash and solar loans | Get Quote |
Yellowlite | Best Regional Provider | 4/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship | Cash and solar loans | Get Quote |
Paradise Energy Solutions | Most Affordable | 4.5/5 | $$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship | Cash and solar loans | Get Quote |
Ohio Power Solutions | Best Local Installer | 4.5/5 | $$$$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 15 years for workmanship | Cash and solar loans | Get Quote |
Icon Solar | Best Customer Service | 4/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 5 years for workmanship and leaks | Cash and solar loans | Get Quote |
Pros
Cons
SunPower offers the most efficient panels in the industry, plus stellar warranty coverage and good customer service.
The company is on the expensive side, but we think that the quality of the panels and the warranty protection are well worth the investment for Ohio solar customers.
Why We Chose SunPower as the Best National Provider
SunPower brings a lot to the table for Ohioans. First off, it provides access to panels from its sister company, Maxeon, which have the highest efficiency rating in the entire solar industry. Since Ohio sees far fewer sunny days per year than most states, these high-efficiency panels are ideal for maximizing your solar energy production and offsetting your electric bills.
SunPower includes robust warranty protection for its panels, including a minimum of 25 years of protection for the equipment, production and workmanship and going up to 40 years for each, depending on the specific panels you have installed. This provides peace of mind for customers in an area like Ohio, which sees above-average snowfall and some extreme weather that can put rooftop solar systems at risk of damage.
SunPower also accepts four different payment options. Given the high cost of going solar in Ohio, these options help keep solar as accessible as possible.
What We Don’t Like
SunPower might keep its services accessible with payment options, but it does have above-average pricing. That means going solar with SunPower is going to be more costly than with most installers, which is a deterrent for many homeowners. Still, we do think its products and services are well worth the investment.
SunPower also only installs a single brand of panels: Maxeon. The Maxeon panels are considered by most to be the best option available for residential solar systems, but we’d still prefer customers to have options and be able to choose the one that works best for their particular wants and needs.
Read our full review of SunPower for more information.
Solar Products
SunPower exclusively installs Maxeon panels. While we love to see installers offer a variety of panel brands to appeal to customers with different budgets and energy needs, Maxeon is considered the best panel brand overall. It has the highest efficiency rating and delivers industry-leading performance specifications.
In addition to panels, SunPower can provide the following products and services:
Financing Options
SunPower’s prices are higher than you’ll find from many competitors, but its products and services are still more widely accessible thanks to the company’s willingness to accept a variety of payment options.
We recommend paying in cash, as that will mean the highest energy savings over time. A solar loan is more accessible because there’s no down payment required, but you will pay more for your system over time because of interest.
We love that SunPower offers solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) for maximum accessibility, but we don’t recommend them because they save less and don’t let you take advantage of the federal tax credit.
Warranty Information
SunPower has outstanding warranty coverage included with all of its systems. You get a comprehensive 25-year warranty for the equipment, the panel efficiency and the workmanship. The equipment coverage is average, but the other two protection plans are longer than most competing installers offer.
If you choose Maxeon panels from SunPower, the coverage gets bumped up to 40 years for equipment, production and labor.
We believe the efficiency coverage is the most helpful in Ohio, as below-average sunlight availability and a high chance of snow coverage can both cause overall production to plummet.
Overall, you can expect your SunPower solar array to last for between 35 and 45 years.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
5 |
A+ |
1985 |
$$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, System Monitoring |
SunPower Panels |
25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Pros
Cons
ADT Solar is best known for providing outstanding warranty coverage, which can keep your solar system at maximum efficiency and safe from extreme weather in Ohio.
ADT sometimes lets its company size get in the way of providing positive customer service experiences, but most customers are satisfied.
Why We Chose ADT Solar as the Best for Warranty Coverage
ADT Solar includes a 25-year warranty package for the panels, the panel production and the labor involved in the installation. This is better than you’ll get from most installers in the area. The production guarantee is especially useful for ensuring your system will continue producing and offsetting your electric bills for years after the installation is completed.
ADT is generally known for good customer service. There are some instances where ADT falls short of customer expectations, but for its size, the number of positive customer reviews it receives is quite impressive. It achieves this, in part, by completing all installations through an in-house installation team, which used to be a part of SunPro. This helps ADT stand apart from the 60+ other installers in Ohio.
ADT maintains average pricing, so while it delivers outstanding quality service and products, it will usually be more affordable than a company like SunPower.
What We Don’t Like
As mentioned above, ADT sometimes falls short of customer expectations, particularly after the installation is completed. If you run into issues with your system that should be covered by your warranty, you’ll likely get the service you need, but you might find yourself waiting for a resolution for weeks in some cases.
ADT also only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. These are the two payment options we recommend most readily, but we do prefer when companies also entertain leases and PPAs, as they help make a company’s services more widely accessible.
Read our full review of ADT Solar for more information.
Solar Products
You can get access to panels that are manufactured by QCells, Canadian Solar and Silfab through ADT. These brands are all considered durable and high-performance, and all three have maximum efficiency ratings of 21.4%. This should be plenty high to take advantage of the limited sunlight in Ohio and still offset a good portion of your utility bills.
Since all three of these brands have comparable performance specifications, we’d recommend choosing QCells, which come with a slightly lower price per watt to help you save money on your system.
Below, we’ll include some other products and services ADT Solar offers to customers:
Financing Options
ADT Solar only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, so customers looking for lower-cost solar options like leases and PPAs will have to choose a different installer.
Of the two options available, we’d recommend a cash purchase. Although this means higher upfront installation costs, it will yield greater energy savings overall and help you avoid paying interest, which keeps your all-in system price lower.
Warranty Information
Solar warranty coverage is really where ADT shines. Although it has some instances of slow response times to warranty claims, the 25-year comprehensive warranty for the equipment, labor and panel production rate should provide plenty of peace of mind for Ohio residents.
The equipment warranty is in line with the industry average. However, the production efficiency is a little longer than average, and the workmanship warranty is 2.5x what most other companies offer.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
4 |
A- |
2008 |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
Silfab, Panasonic and others depending on location |
25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Pros
Cons
Blue Raven Solar is best known for its ground-breaking financing program, which makes solar highly accessible and more beneficial than standard loan options.
Blue Raven has limited service offerings, but for customers who just want panels, we think it’s an outstanding choice for solar projects in Ohio.
Why We Chose Blue Raven Solar as the Company With the Best Financing Program
Blue Raven Solar’s BluePower Plus+ financing program is what we believe is the best solar loan option out there. It requires no down payment, comes with low interest rates and includes 18 months of interest-free financing. That first year and a half you own your system will provide an average energy savings of more than $2,000 in Ohio, which means you can pay off a good chunk of your system for free before you start making payments.
Blue Raven is a large company, but it still manages to maintain a reputation for excellent customer service. Most customers are pleased with the communication and attention they get from Blue Raven, which is not something that can be said about many other companies of this size.
Additionally, Blue Raven’s pricing is below average, which helps make the high solar installation costs in Ohio more palatable.
What We Don’t Like
The biggest downside to Blue Raven, in our opinion, is that the company only installs solar panels. Customers looking for batteries, EV chargers or other add-on products or energy efficiency upgrades will need to find a different installer entirely. Plus, any equipment installed after Blue Raven puts panels on your roof won’t be eligible for the federal investment tax credit (ITC).
Additionally, Blue Raven doesn’t accept leases or PPAs. We do think that the BluePower Plus+ program makes up for that in large part and keeps the company’s services accessible, but we do like it when companies help keep customers’ options open.
Read our full review of Blue Raven Solar for more information.
Solar Products
Blue Raven Solar installs panels from four different manufacturers: SolarEdge, Trina, Hyundai and Canadian Solar. These are all great brands to choose from, and they all deliver good durability and performance.
If you want the best chance of eliminating your energy bills despite the low-sun conditions in Ohio, we recommend the Trina panels, as these have the highest efficiency rating available. The panels from SolarEdge are the most affordable, though, so these might be better if you’d prefer to optimize for a low upfront cost.
Blue Raven doesn’t offer any solar batteries, EV chargers or other add-on products. It does work with Enphase inverters, though, so you can get access to the Enphase solar monitoring app through the company.
Financing Options
Blue Raven Solar only accepts cash purchases and solar loans through its in-house financing program, BluePower Plus+.
We prefer companies that also accept leases and PPAs for variety and greater accessibility, but the BluePower Plus+ program does ease the financial burden of going solar with 18 months of interest-free financing and low interest rates.
We still recommend a cash purchase if you can make it work, as this will still maximize your savings and limit what you spend over time on your panels.
Warranty Information
When you go solar with Blue Raven, you get a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty, which is average, a 25-year production warranty, which is a little longer than average and a 10-year workmanship warranty, which is average.
This coverage is good, but we do like to see lengthier labor warranties, as they help reduce the risk of damage to your panels and roof, even when exposed to the rainfall and above-average snowfall in Ohio.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
4.5 |
A+ |
2014 |
$$ |
Solar Panels, System Monitoring |
Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, SunPower |
25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty, 2-year production guarantee |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Yellowlite couples the local experience and customer service of a smaller company with the availability of a much larger one.
The company only accepts cash payments and loans, so some customers won’t be able to afford it, but those that can won’t be disappointed with the service they receive.
Why We Chose Yellowlite as the Best National Provider
Above all else, we chose Yellowlite as the best national provider because of its customer service. Even though it’s a sizable company, the representatives are always concerned with providing great customer care. Yellowlite maintains a 4.6-star rating on Google Reviews and a 4-star rating on the Better Business Bureau’s website, which is better than most companies in the area.
Yellowlite’s techs and salespeople are trained locally. Not only do they understand the specific energy needs and weather concerns that most Ohio solar customers have, but they’re also familiar with local solar incentives and rebate programs. They’re willing to help customers file for them to maximize solar savings, which is something larger national companies sometimes fall short on.
Yellowlite also carries a wide range of high-quality residential panel brands, meaning there should be something that appeals to all Ohioans in the product lineup.
What We Don’t Like
Yellowlite doesn’t accept leases or PPAs, so while its average pricing helps keep its products and services accessible, it’s only a good option if you can afford a cash purchase or qualify for a solar loan.
Additionally, Yellowlite’s workmanship warranty lasts for ten years. This is in line with the industry average, but we like to see longer coverage in an area like Ohio. Ohioans, particularly the areas around Lake Erie, see above-average amounts of snowfall each year. Prolonged exposure to moisture can put improperly installed systems at risk of leaking, and a lengthier labor warranty helps provide some peace of mind that that won’t happen.
Solar Products
Yellowlite installs quite a few panel brands, including Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, QCells, Panasonic, Jinko Solar and SunPower/Maxeon. This is an impressive lineup of panels and should have something for all energy needs and budgets.
We recommend the Maxeon panels overall, as these help deliver maximum value and savings even in the low-sun conditions. They can also help ensure you bank enough power to offset your consumption through snowstorms. If you’re looking to prioritize a low system installation cost, we recommend SolarEdge, as these have the lowest installation cost.
In addition to these panel brands, Yellowlite offers the following products and services:
Financing Options
Unfortunately, Yellowlite doesn’t accept any payment options other than cash and solar loans. These are the options we recommend, but leases and PPAs added in would make the company’s services more widely accessible.
Of the two options available, we suggest a cash purchase if you can make it work. Paying in cash will provide greater energy savings in the long run, and not paying interest on your system will mean your all-in conversion cost is lower than it would be with a loan. Both options let you take the federal credit, though, which holds an average potential value of just under $7,000 in Ohio.
Warranty Information
Yellowlite includes a 25-year warranty for the equipment and the panel efficiency. The equipment coverage is standard, but the efficiency guarantee is a little longer than most companies provide.
As mentioned above, Yellowlite also includes a workmanship warranty that lasts for ten years. This is also in line with the average, although we do wish this was a little longer since the risk of issues with rooftop solar systems in Ohio is above average due to the weather.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, System Monitoring, General Contracting, Maintenance & Repairs |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Paradise Energy Solutions provides good customer service and high-quality equipment, all while maintaining below-average pricing for its services.
The company doesn’t have the best workmanship warranty, and it offers few financing options, but we still feel it’s a company worth considering in Ohio.
Why We Chose Paradise Energy Solutions as the Most Affordable
Paradise Energy Solutions maintains below-average pricing for Ohio, which means the typically high cost of converting will be lower when you choose this company.
Despite the below-average cost, you don’t have to compromise on quality. Paradise Energy Solutions is known for outstanding customer service, so you’ll always feel that you’re in good hands. Plus, the company has years of local experience, so it understands the needs of Ohioans and can install a system that suits the local energy needs.
Additionally, the technicians are locally trained, so they can often help you take advantage of local solar incentives to boost savings even more. The technicians have local expertise, and many are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), so you can rest assured you’re getting a high-quality system installed by true professionals.
What We Don’t Like
There are a few minor drawbacks to working with Paradise Energy Solutions. First off, it has limited service offerings, as it only installs solar panels and batteries. Customers looking for EV chargers, other add-on products or other energy efficiency upgrades will need to choose a different provider.
Additionally, the company only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, and its workmanship warranty only lasts for ten years. We generally like to see additional payment options for accessibility and longer coverage to protect homeowners from the severe weather in Ohio.
Solar Products
Paradise Energy Solutions installs panels manufactured by SolarEdge, Solectria, QCells and Peimar. All of these are tier-one brands and are trusted options in the solar industry.
Given the below-average sunlight availability in Ohio and the risk of snow coverage that can decimate production, we suggest a highly efficient solar panel brand like QCells. This will help maximize your savings, even though the net energy metering program in the area isn’t ideal.
If you want to keep costs down, you could safely opt for any of the other brands, which have lower costs per watt.
Financing Options
Paradise Energy Solutions only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, so it’s not the best option for accessibility. Leases and PPAs added to this lineup would make the company’s services available to far more Ohioans.
Of the two options that are available, we’d suggest paying in cash if you can make it work. Cash payments cost the most upfront, but they provide the greatest value over time in terms of energy savings and savings on your actual equipment.
Warranty Information
Paradise Energy Solutions offers a panel and panel production warranty that lasts for 25 years. The panel coverage is average, but the production warranty is a little longer than the typical 20-year warranty you’d see from many other installers.
The company also offers a ten-year workmanship warranty. This is average in the industry, but again, we’d really prefer to see longer coverage in Ohio. Residents see above-average snowfall and the occasional tornado that can put panels at risk of damage if not installed properly.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Ohio Power Solutions is a small, local installer that provides outstanding customer service and a massive range of products and services.
The company is on the expensive end and only accepts cash and solar loans, but if you can afford it, we’re confident you’ll be pleased with the system and service you receive.
Why We Chose Ohio Power Solutions as the Best Local Installer
If you’re looking for the hands-on experience and customer care that only a local installer can provide, we think Ohio Power Solutions is going to be your best option. The company is located in Columbus and only services Ohio. That means its technicians are specifically trained in and live in Ohio. They are in tune with local needs and energy demands.
The company is highly communicative throughout the entire conversion process and is quick to respond to everything from requests for solar quotes and warranty claims.
In addition to being local solar experts with over a decade of localized experience, the company also offers a nice range of other products and services, including solar thermal and wind power solutions. This suggests a dedication to renewable energy rather than profit alone, which helps set the company apart from the competition in the area.
What We Don’t Like
Ohio Power Solutions has above-average pricing, which is a pretty significant drawback, given how expensive solar arrays are normally in the state. Combined with the fact that the company doesn’t accept leases or PPAs, this limits the overall availability.
Additionally, the company only operates in and around the Columbus area. If you fall within the company’s service area, we strongly recommend considering it, but a large number of customers won’t.
Solar Products
Ohio Power Solutions doesn’t advertise specific panel brands it installs and instead notes that it works with a wide variety. As a small company focused on individual customers, that means your panel brand will likely be chosen based on your specific needs, like low upfront costs or maximum power production for long-term savings.
The company also offers a great selection of other products and services, which we’ll list below:
Financing Options
Ohio Power Solutions only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. Again, these are the only options we typically suggest using to pay for your system, but it would be nice to see lower-cost options like leases and PPAs too. Unfortunately, the limited payment options combined with the high company costs mean that this is one of the least accessible options on our list.
We suggest a cash purchase from this provider if you can afford it. Paying in cash comes with the highest initial costs, but your system will pay for itself more quickly and provide greater energy savings over time.
Warranty Information
Ohio Power Solutions couples its high-quality systems and local expertise with a 25-year warranty that covers the panels — this is average — and a 25-year warranty that guarantees a minimum efficiency over time — this is slightly longer than average.
Additionally, the company backs its workmanship with a 15-year labor warranty. This is longer than you’ll see from most installers, and it’s a welcome additional coverage option in Ohio, where the risk of damage to improperly installed systems is relatively high.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, General Contracting, Generators, Electrical Work |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
If you’re looking for unmatched customer service, fast response times and quick resolutions to warranty claims, we strongly recommend Icon Solar.
Although we don’t recommend leases or PPAs, Icon Solar doesn’t offer them, which limits the availability of the company’s services.
Why We Chose Icon Solar as the Best for Customer Service
Icon Solar is a small company located in Milford, and its technicians make customer service their highest priority. This is evident in the company’s incredible 4.8-star rating on Google Reviews and the A+ rating with the BBB. Most customers rave about the quality of care they receive from the first contact and request for a quote to well beyond the installation if there are ever any issues with the panels.
Icon Solar is small enough to focus on specifics, like local solar incentives and rebates. The representatives are familiar with the perks available to Ohioans, specifically, and they always help customers file for and take part in as many benefit programs as possible. Ultimately, this helps you save money on your installation.
Additionally, Icon Solar is a member of the Green Umbrella Regional Sustainability Alliance, which suggests that it cares about more than profit and also that it’s committed to the social and environmental impact of solar energy.
What We Don’t Like
The only real downside we see to Icon Solar is a relatively minor one: it’s not the most accessible company because it doesn’t accept leases or PPAs. Since cash purchases are the most expensive upfront and loans require specific credit scores to qualify, some customers just won’t be able to consider Icon as an option.
Additionally, Icon Solar only includes a five-year workmanship warranty. This is half of the industry average and far shorter than we’d like to see in Ohio. Still, the company’s local expertise does help provide some peace of mind that it won’t cause issues with your system.
Solar Products
Icon Solar offers panels manufactured by QCells, Canadian Solar and SolarEdge.
We recommend optimizing your system for production and efficiency since Ohio has below-average sunlight availability and a risk of reduced production during the winter if snow covers the panels. QCells and Canadian Solar are going to be your best bet for this purpose, as these panels have the highest efficiency of the ones available from Icon.
SolarEdge panels have a lower cost per watt than the other two, so you might want to choose those if you prefer to prioritize a lower installation cost.
In addition to panels, Icon Solar provides the following products and services:
Financing Options
As mentioned above, Icon Solar only accepts cash and loans. Cash is the preferred option since it leaves you with higher savings in the long run, still lets you take the federal tax credit and helps you avoid interest, which can bump up your system total. A loan is also a great option that still gives you access to the federal solar tax credit, although the interest will reduce your energy savings a bit.
We would love to see leases and PPAs offered as well, just for the sake of accessibility, but we don’t suggest these options for anyone who can make a cash purchase or a loan work.
Warranty Information
Icon Solar includes a 25-year panel and performance warranty, which is great. The panel coverage is standard, but the performance warranty — which helps ensure solar savings even in the low-sun conditions in Ohio — is a little better than many competitors offer.
The company also includes a five-year warranty for workmanship and roof leaks. The workmanship warranty is about half of the industry average, and we’d really love to see a significantly longer warranty term. However, the added coverage specifically for roof leaks is a nice touch, especially since leaks are a bigger risk in Ohio, given the above-average snowfall in the area.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
Watch Below: Learn How Solar Energy Has Gotten So Cheap
The average cost of going solar in Ohio is about $2.56 per watt of solar energy, slightly cheaper than the U.S. average of $2.66 per watt. Given that the average homeowner in Ohio needs a 9-kilowatt (kW) system to offset their monthly energy bills, a typical solar array costs around $23,040 in the Buckeye State.
After the 30% federal solar tax credit has been considered, the average cost of solar panels in Ohio is $16,128.
Solar panels aren’t cheap, but there are plenty of ways to bring your total cost down. Below is a list of our top tips for saving money when hiring a solar company in Ohio.
Although solar panels are expensive, there are plenty of solar incentives and rebates in Ohio that can bring down the cost of your solar energy system.
The table below outlines the top incentives available in Ohio, along with a description of each.
Ohio Solar Incentive | Description |
Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) | The federal tax credit is available to all Ohio residents and amounts to 30% of your total solar system cost.7 In Ohio, where the average system price is around $23,040, the typical credit is $6,912. This amount is credited to your federal income taxes owed for the year your system is installed and commissioned, so it’s not an immediate payback. |
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) | Ohio incentivizes homeowners to convert to solar power by offering solar renewable energy credits (SRECs). You can earn SRECs for all energy your system generates, then you can sell them for a profit.8 |
Solar Sales Tax Exemption | A tax exemption that prevents Ohio homeowners from having to pay the state’s typical 5.75% sales tax on solar equipment. |
Net Energy Metering (NEM) | A billing policy available to Ohio homeowners to help offset energy costs. Credits you for the excess energy your panels produce, and you can use those credits to pay down future electricity bills.9 |
Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program | The ECO-Link Program was established to help make solar energy financing more affordable to Ohio homeowners. The program provides up to a 3% interest rate reduction for solar loans for up to seven years, with some minor eligibility restrictions.10 |
Solar panel systems can be very complex, and each home has unique needs when it comes to investing in clean energy. That’s why we strongly recommend doing your own research and getting several quotes from local experts before choosing an installer.
To start, you should have an understanding of your home energy needs so you can choose the correct size solar panel system for your roof. Although Ohio has a net metering program, you still don’t want your solar panels to produce significantly more energy than your home requires.
Other factors, including your roof orientation, shading and size can influence the type and brand of solar panels you install.
It’s important to discuss your options with a trusted professional. Get several quotes from solar professionals in your area, and ask for a breakdown of costs. Ask for their professional opinion on the type and size of the solar system you’ll need, and why they believe these selections would be best for your home.
Just because a quote is cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best deal. If you research solar companies in your area and get an idea of their product offerings and customer service, you can make an informed decision when hiring a solar professional.
To maximize your energy savings when you go solar, your best option is to pay for your solar panel system in cash upfront. However, we understand that this is not a realistic option for most homeowners.
There are other solar financing options available if you can’t afford to pay for your entire solar array at once. You can still achieve significant energy savings when you finance your solar panels. But if you choose a solar loan, what you pay in interest will be an additional cost you wouldn’t pay if you bought your panels in cash.
That’s why we recommend putting as much money down on your solar panels as possible. So you can minimize your interest payments and pay off your solar panels faster.
If you aren’t financially able to pay more each month or put more money down, don’t get discouraged. In most cases, you’ll still be saving much more on electricity costs in the long run just by converting to solar.
Zillow estimates that a home with solar panels is worth 4.1% more on average than a home without solar panels. The average home in Ohio is worth $216,875, so that’s a potential $8,482 in added value.11
Ohio has an “overwhelming demand” for solar panels, so much so that permitting and approval for solar projects can be slow.12 As demand for solar panels steadily increases in Ohio, homes with solar panels will be more desirable, and potentially sell for higher prices.
Although Ohio ranks 25th in the country for solar, it also ranks 14th in projected new solar capacity in the next five years, meaning that solar installations are expected to increase in the state.13 That’s good news for people looking to sell their homes with solar panels.
If you want your solar panels to generate enough energy to power your entire home and offset electricity rates, we strongly recommend hiring a professional solar installation company. On the other hand, if you only need to power small appliances, an RV or a boat with solar panels, it may be simpler to DIY and install your own solar panels.
Labor costs generally make up 10% of the total cost of your solar installation, so given the average cost of $23,040 for solar panels in Ohio, you could save around $2,304 on your DIY home solar project. The more costly part of solar panels is the equipment itself- opting for a cheaper brand or solar panel would be better for savings than cutting corners on labor.
However, there are risks associated with installing solar panels on your roof yourself. An incorrect installation could lead to trouble down the road and potentially wipe out any savings you accrued by self-installation.
We only suggest installing solar panels yourself if:
If one or more of the above qualifications do not apply to you, we believe you’re better off going with a professional.
When we selected our top most reputable solar companies nationwide and in Ohio, we evaluated factors we believe every homeowner should consider when choosing a solar provider.
When you choose a solar installer in Ohio, you should hire a professional that:
Ohio does not require a dedicated solar license to install solar panels. However, your installer may need either a state contractor electrician or an HVAC license, depending on the type of solar project.14
Check with your local building department about solar licensing requirements. The state does not have jurisdiction over residential buildings, only commercial ones, so regulations will vary by locality.15
Although it’s not required in Ohio, a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) or the Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC) is a positive sign when considering a solar installer.16
Customer service can be the difference between a great solar installation experience and a miserable one. That’s why customer service is one of the most influential factors we considered when ranking solar companies in Ohio. Ideally, your solar company will:
You’re probably asking: But how do I know if a company will offer exceptional customer service? That’s when research comes in. Before you commit to a solar company, always check trusted review sites where customers can leave honest reviews and communicate with one another, including reputable sites like the BBB or TrustPilot.
All of our top-ranked companies install solar panels, but if you want additional solar technology like EV chargers or solar batteries, you’ll have to be a little more selective when choosing a provider.
Additionally, make sure your solar company offers the equipment you want if you have a specific brand in mind — like SunPower’s highly-efficient Maxeon solar panels, for example.
If you don’t know the exact products you want yet, talking to a local professional is a good starting point. Reputable providers can talk you through your options, the pros and cons of solar and ultimately help you match with the best renewable energy option for you. If you’d like to get started with your project, you can select one of our top-rated solar panel companies in Ohio below for a free, no-obligation consultation and quote.
With around 70 installers servicing Ohio, we had our work cut out for us to find the best of the best. We assessed each company based on six primary factors that we believe are the most crucial in a solar panel installation company in your area, specifically. We’ll explain these criteria below and discuss why we think each is so important.
We get a lot of questions about installing solar energy systems from Ohio homeowners. Below are some of the most common questions we see along with our responses. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
Based on our in-depth review, we have identified YellowLite as the most reputable solar company in Ohio.
YellowLite is a regional solar installer that provides outstanding local customer service and excellent response times. It’s known for great communication before, during and after installation; high-quality products and a broad range of services. YellowLite also offers some of the best warranties in the area.
Our EcoWatch Rating is an internal score we assign to companies based on a number of criteria. We take into account all of the factors mentioned above, plus many others, and weigh them based on their importance to homeowners in Ohio.
The result is a single score that gives you a snapshot of a company’s reputation, ability to meet or exceed customer expectations, pricing, the value provided, services and products offered and more.
It certainly does! Good Solar panels might all look similar, but they vary quite a bit from brand to brand.
The energy efficiency of the panels you choose in Ohio is most important, as it determines how much you can take advantage of the state’s below-average sunlight to maximize your savings on your electric bills.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a solar installer in Ohio. The most important are price, value for the cost and warranty coverage. Price and value will determine how accessible the solar panel system is for you, how long you’ll be able to go without maintenance and how much sunlight you can take advantage of.
Ideally, you should also consider the equipment brands and services available, general company reputation, financing options and longevity in the industry.
Using our EcoWatch Rating, you can get an “at a glance” view of all of these factors and more.
The answer to this question depends on your expectations.
Smaller local companies usually provide better customer service and more customization options, including the design of the solar power system and the types of panels, inverters and batteries included in the setup. They also often have working relationships with permitting authorities and local utility companies and can sometimes expedite permits or connections to the grid for net metering.
On the other hand, larger national companies usually have better pricing because they buy PV equipment in bulk and often have better availability, too. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide what your expectations are and choose based on your needs.
Comparing authorized solar partners
Having trouble deciding? Click below and use our process to receive multiple quotes instead: