Best Solar Companies in Ohio (2022 Rankings & Reviews)
We recommend vetted solar companies that have:
- Availability in your area
- Affordable pricing and financing options
- At least 5 years of experience
- Outstanding customer reviews
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Best Solar Companies in Ohio
There are lots of reviews online stating they include the best solar companies in Ohio, but most don’t take into account aspects important to local homeowners. For example, they fail to give more weight to the energy efficiency of the panels a company offers, which is important for ensuring they can produce enough to power your heating equipment through the cold Ohio winter. The EcoWatch team rates solar companies based on several locally important factors like this to ensure you get the best solar installer for your energy needs.
Jump to Section:
- Top 5 Solar Companies in Ohio
- YellowLite
- Paradise Energy Solutions
- Ohio Power Solutions
- SunPower
- Blue Raven Solar
- Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in Ohio
- FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Ohio
Nationwide Service
Average cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market
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National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring
Regional Service
Average cost
Blue Raven Solar
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Industry-leading in-house financing
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Competitive pricing
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Excellent reputation
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Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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System Monitoring
Regional Service
Average cost
YellowLite
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Representatives are experts on local policies
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Offers products from leading manufacturers
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Full-service home energy solutions
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No leases or PPAs
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Relatively short workmanship warranty
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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System Monitoring
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General Contracting
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Maintenance & Repairs
Regional Service
Average cost
Paradise Energy Solutions
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Outstanding customer service
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Many years of experience
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Great warranty coverage
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Offers products from leading manufacturers
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No leases or PPAs
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Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
Local Service
Average cost
Ohio Power Solutions
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Locally owned and operated
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Comprehensive service offerings
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Offers products from leading manufacturers
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Outstanding customer service
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Slightly expensive
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No leases or PPAs
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Relatively short workmanship warranty
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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General Contracting
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Generators
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Electrical Work
What Are the Top 5 Solar Companies in Ohio?
Below is a quick look at and comparison of the best solar companies in Ohio. After looking through our rankings, you might be surprised that we haven’t included some popular companies, like Vivint Solar. This was an intentional decision on our part. We have left several companies out of our ratings because of current litigation, customer service issues and other issues that may prevent them from serving you well.
Company | Service Area | Solar Services | Warranty Coverage | BBB Rating | Year Founded |
YellowLite |
Statewide | Solar panel and battery installations; solar monitoring; maintenance and repairs; general contracting | 25- to 30-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year overall warranty | A+ | 2009 |
Paradise Energy Solutions |
Akron, Canton, Cambridge, Cleveland, Columbus, Mansfield, Medina, New Philadelphia, Tiffin, Wooster, Youngstown, Zanesville | Solar panel and battery installations | 25- to 30-year equipment warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty | A+ | 2009 |
Ohio Power Solutions |
Columbus, London, Dayton, Springfield, Etna, Westerville | Solar panel and battery installations; general contracting; generators; electrical work | 15-year workmanship warranty; individual equipment warranties | A+ | 2009 |
SunPower |
Statewide | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; maintenance; system monitoring | 25-year all-inclusive warranty; 10-year warranty for monitoring hardware | A+ | 1985 |
Blue Raven Solar |
Statewide | Solar panel installations | 25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year labor warranty, 2-year production guarantee | A+ | 2014 |
1. YellowLite
YellowLite is a larger solar company that serves areas throughout the Northeast U.S., and its service area includes all of Ohio. Despite its size, this company provides outstanding customer service, maintains good communication from the consultation through the installation and beyond, and maintains almost entirely positive reviews.
YellowLite sells panels made by some of the top manufacturers, most of which come with extensive equipment and power production warranties to ensure optimal performance through the winters in Ohio. YellowLite provides solar panel and solar battery installations, plus system monitoring, and offers general contracting and electrical services through its GCs and electricians.
YellowLite has very few drawbacks. It doesn’t offer leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs), and its in-house warranty on labor is only good for 10 years.
Pros for YellowLite
YellowLite has some of the best customer service and highest ratings for customer reviews in Ohio. It has a good number of high-quality products available, and it has an excellent selection of solar services.
- Excellent customer service
- High-quality solar products
- Wide range of services
Cons for YellowLite
There are few negative things we can say about YellowLite. Two are that the company doesn’t do leases or PPAs, and it only offers a 10-year warranty on labor.
- No leases or PPAs
- Only 10-year coverage on labor
Facts and Figures: YellowLite
EcoWatch Rating | 4.0 |
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating | A+ |
Year Founded | 2009 |
Service Area | Statewide |
Average Cost | $$$ |
Solar Services | Solar panel and battery installations; solar monitoring; maintenance and repair; general contracting |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Canadian Solar, SunPower, SolarWorld, LG, Suniva |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
2. Paradise Energy Solutions
Paradise Energy Solutions is another regional solar company with offices in Ohio that cover most major cities throughout the state. This company is best known for its robust warranties, which include 25 to 30 years of coverage on equipment (depending on brand) and a 10-year warranty on workmanship and production. These warranties should provide just about any Ohioan some peace of mind when going green.
Paradise Energy provides more than just warranties — it also gives our No. 1 choice for best solar company in Ohio a run for its money in terms of customer service. Paradise Energy Solutions has managed to get nearly 5-star ratings on all platforms, and customers seem genuinely satisfied with the company’s services before, during and after installation.
It carries a nice variety of solar panels to provide you with some customization options, as well as some variety in solar battery brands and inverters.
Pros for Paradise Energy Solutions
Paradise Energy Solutions delivers outstanding customer service and customization options that will appeal to most homeowners. It has some of the best warranties in the industry as well.
- Outstanding customer service
- Many brands available
- Appealing warranties
Cons for Paradise Energy Solutions
Paradise Energy Solutions doesn’t have options for leases or PPAs for residential customers. It also only handles solar panel and battery backup installations.
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited services
Facts and Figures: Paradise Energy Solutions
EcoWatch Rating | 4.5 |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Year Founded | 2009 |
Service Area | Akron, Canton, Cambridge, Cleveland, Columbus, Mansfield, Medina, New Philadelphia, Tiffin, Wooster, Youngstown, Zanesville |
Average Cost | $$ |
Solar Services | Solar panel and battery installation |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Enphase, Axitec, LG, Solar Edge, Q Cells |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans for residential customers; leases and PPAs for commercial customers only |
3. Ohio Power Solutions
As the name suggests, Ohio Power Solutions is a company local to Ohio. It services just a handful of major cities, including Columbus, London, Dayton, Springfield, Etna and Westerville. It delivers the high-quality customer service you’d expect from a smaller, local company and nearly every customer that has reviewed its services has been beyond satisfied.
According to reviews, Ohio Power Solutions maintains communication throughout the entire installation process and is willing to work with customers to take advantage of tax credits and rebates as well.
It has a decent selection of products for customization options, and it provides a wide array of services that cover everything from solar panel installation to general contracting and electrical work.
Ohio Power Solutions offers a 15-year warranty on workmanship, which isn’t quite as good as the warranty from some top competitors. Its prices are also a bit on the high side.
Pros for Ohio Power Solutions
Ohio Power Solutions maintains an unblemished record of quality customer service and professionalism. It provides access to a good selection of solar products and offers a wide range of services.
- Unmatched customer service
- Several brands to choose from
- Many services available
Cons for Ohio Power Solutions
Ohio Power Solutions doesn’t offer leases or PPAs, and its prices can be a bit high. It also only offers a 15-year warranty on workmanship, whereas some competitors offer up to 25 years of coverage.
- No leases or PPAs
- Expensive
- Not the best warranties
Facts and Figures: Ohio Power Solutions
EcoWatch Rating | 4.5 |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Year Founded | 2009 |
Service Area | Columbus, London, Dayton, Springfield, Etna, Westerville |
Average Cost | $$$$ |
Solar Services | Solar panel and battery installations; general contracting; generators; electrical work |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | LG, SolarEdge |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
4. SunPower
SunPower is a large national solar company that manufactures its own panels through sister company Maxeon. Its products are regarded by many as the leading solar technology. However, it sometimes outsources installation and maintenance to third-party companies. This allows SunPower to maintain some of the best product availability in Ohio, but it does mean that customer service can vary.
SunPower is on the expensive side, but it does back its products with a 25-year all-inclusive warranty, which is one of the best guarantees in the industry.
SunPower covers installations of solar panels, batteries and electric vehicle chargers, which are standard services. Additionally, SunPower only installs its own products. Any additional services or projects involving other brands of equipment will require a different installer.
Click here for SunPower’s full review.
Pros for SunPower
SunPower focuses on manufacturing products, which means it has some of the best availability in Ohio. The equipment comes with an appealing warranty, and the company offers all standard services.
- Excellent availability
- Great warranty coverage
- Typical services offered
Cons for SunPower
SunPower outsources all labor to third-party companies, so customer service is a bit spotty. The company only sells its own brand of equipment, and it is quite expensive.
- Customer service can vary by local dealer
- Only one brand of equipment available
- Costly
Facts and Figures: SunPower
EcoWatch Rating | 5 |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Year Founded | 1985 |
Service Area | Statewide |
Average Cost | $$$$ |
Solar Services | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; system monitoring |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | SunPower/Maxeon |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans, leases, PPAs |
5. Blue Raven Solar
Blue Raven Solar is a national company with widespread coverage and installation crews across Ohio. Although it’s one of the larger companies in our rankings, it still maintains a great reputation for positive customer service and communication. Blue Raven has all the benefits of a national company — like below-average pricing — without the downside of poor customer care or slow installation times.
Blue Raven carries several solar product brands, including some of the most popular and trusted in the industry. All equipment is covered by a promising 25-year warranty on parts plus a 10-year warranty on labor.
Blue Raven doesn’t provide access to solar via leases or PPAs. Additionally, its installation teams only handle panel installations at the moment, and its 2-year production guarantee is relatively short.
Click here for Blue Raven Solar’s full review.
Pros for Blue Raven Solar
Blue Raven Solar has outstanding customer service and can often install panels in a timely manner, despite being a larger company. It is affordable, and it provides access to several large brand names of solar panels.
- Affordable
- Excellent customer service
- Fast response times
- Several brands available
Cons for Blue Raven Solar
Unfortunately, Blue Raven isn’t a full-service solar installer and only handles panel installations. It also doesn’t offer leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs).
- Limited services available
- No leases
- No PPAs
Facts and Figures: Blue Raven Solar
EcoWatch Rating | 4.5 |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Year Founded | 2014 |
Service Area | Statewide |
Average Cost | $$ |
Solar Services | Solar panel installations |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | SunPower, SolarEdge, Trina, Canadian Solar |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
EcoWatch Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in Ohio
The EcoWatch team assesses solar installers based on more than 20 criteria, which you can find more information about by taking a look at our methodology. The below factors are some of the most significant and have the biggest bearing on where each company falls in our ratings.
Warranty
Solar warranties cover equipment — often including physical damage, equipment malfunction and energy production — and labor — including installation, roof damage and workmanship issues. Both warranty types are important in Ohio, but the solar contractors that offer a robust warranty on energy production tend to score the highest in our reviews.
There is some extreme weather in Ohio, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, that can put your panels at risk of damage. However, the state as a whole receives just 173 sunny days annually, far less than the national average of 205 days. As such, Ohioans will naturally have less opportunity to produce energy, so more efficient solar panels are more desirable to take advantage of sunny weather. A warranty covering energy production is a good sign that the panels you’re getting will stay efficient for a certain number of years.
Year Founded
With solar increasing in popularity in Ohio year after year, many “fly by night” companies are popping up to capitalize on the booming industry. Unfortunately, these companies often provide poor or misguided service, and their warranties become void if they go out of business.
As such, the EcoWatch team heavily favors companies that have proven success and longevity in the solar industry, which can often be measured by years of experience.
Services Offered
Not all solar companies provide the same services. Some — like Blue Raven Solar — focus their efforts solely on panel installation. These companies won’t be viable options for customers looking for other solar equipment, like solar batteries and electric vehicle chargers. We typically rank full-service solar companies higher because they’re more likely to appeal to a wider audience.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Just like with services, companies vary wildly in the types of equipment they carry. Some companies — like SunPower — only carry a single brand, while others provide homeowners access to multiple brands and styles for customization. If you’re looking for the most efficient solar panels or the most affordable solar panels, you might need to choose your installer based on the equipment it carries. This is also the case if you’re looking for specific brands, like Tesla Powerwalls.
Companies that carry an array of products rank higher because they can serve the needs of more customers.
Industry Affiliations
The solar industry has many associations and organizations that stand for more accessible renewable energy and bettering the environment. Solar panel companies that affiliate themselves with these organizations are more likely to have a worthy mission statement or philanthropic tendencies.
Some organizations that improve solar installation company ratings include the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), the Ohio Solar Coalition and Green Energy Ohio.
Size of Company
Many people wonder if a smaller company or a larger national one is better, but each comes with its own advantages and drawbacks.
Smaller local companies tend to have better customer service, more customization options for solar projects and more experience taking advantage of local solar incentives like tax exemptions and rebates. On the other hand, larger national companies typically have lower pricing and better availability, often at the expense of consistent, personalized customer service.
Solar Pricing and Financing
Finally, we assess a company based on its pricing model and the financing options available. Of course, more affordable solar is important, but we compare the cost of solar panels to the service provided to identify which companies provide the best value; cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to solar.
We also take a look at the payment options a company has. Some companies only accept cash purchases and financed deals, while others allow solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Although we typically recommend an upfront purchase or solar loan, companies that offer all options make clean energy more accessible.
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EcoWatch FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Ohio
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.
Based on our in-depth review above, we have identified YellowLite as the most reputable solar company in Ohio. YellowLite is a regional solar installer that manages to provide 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 specifically 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! Solar panels might all look similar, but they vary quite a bit from brand to brand.
The brand of the panel you choose often determines the durability of your system, as well as its energy efficiency and price. Longevity and cost are, of course, important for all homeowners. The energy efficiency of the panels you choose in Ohio, however, is most important, as it determines how much you can take advantage of the below-average sunlight to maximize your savings on your electric bills.
There are many factors you should consider when choosing a solar installer in Ohio, some of the most important of which 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 really 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 photovoltaic equipment in bulk, and they often have better availability as well.
Ultimately, you’ll have to decide what your expectations are and choose based on your needs.