Top 6 Best Solar Companies in Ohio (2023 Reviews)

How to Save Money When Hiring a Solar Company in Ohio 

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.

• Take advantage of local and federal solar incentives
• Do your research and get several quotes
• Put more money down or pay for your system in cash

Take Advantage of Local and Federal Solar Incentives

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.

Do Your Research and Get Several Quotes

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.

Put More Money Down or Pay in Cash

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 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.

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value in Ohio?

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.

Should Ohio Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer or DIY?

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:

• You are willing and able to secure the building, electrical and zoning permits required to install solar panels in Ohio;
• You are willing and able to apply for applicable solar incentives, tax credits and rebates;
• You feel comfortable standing and working on your roof;
• You have electrical or solar experience, and;
• You have all the necessary tools and equipment.

If one or more of the above qualifications do not apply to you, we believe you’re better off going with a professional.

What Should Ohio Residents Look For in a Reputable Solar Installer?

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:

• Holds the required solar licenses and certifications
• Provides excellent customer service
• Offers the solar services, brands and products you want

Holds Required Solar Licenses and Certifications

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

Provides Excellent Customer Service

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:

• Communicate with you throughout the solar installation process. This includes sharing when they are coming, how long the installation will take and if any issues occur.
• Be available even after your solar panels are installed, and follow through on warranties and guarantees if a problem arises.
• Hire knowledgeable, experienced solar installers and technicians that are locally based.

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.

Offers the Solar Services, Brands and Products You Want

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.

Methodology: How We Ranked Ohio’s Solar Companies

When we rank our top reputable solar companies, we start by identifying the factors that matter most when ensuring that our readers find a trustworthy, reliable and environmentally responsible installation. We’ve listed those factors as categories below. We then weigh these factors against the industry benchmark (a company meeting the industry standard in all categories would earn 4 stars in our rating system).

Our goal is to deliver unbiased reports and honest reviews, thus, our methodology is not affected by commercial partnerships and is specifically tailored to homes in Ohio.

• Solar Services (20%)
• Qualifications, Reputation & Certifications (20%)
• Solar Warranty & Customer Support (15%)
• Solar Financing Options (15%)
• Experience (10%)
• Availability (10%)
• Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Factors (10%)

Solar Services

A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers: in-house installations, energy storage systems (solar batteries) and home-efficiency audits or upgrades. A company can earn bonus points if it offers additional services that we don’t consider essential, including electric vehicle chargers, home thermostats, solar shingles, etc. The industry standard that we measure against includes solar panel and battery backup installations only.

In Ohio, YellowLite, Ohio Power Solutions and SunPower all go above and beyond in this category, offering additional services beyond rooftop solar installations.

Solar Company Reputation, Qualifications & Certifications

A company earns a perfect score in this category if it is: NABCEP-certified, has a minimum of four stars over its last 100 reviews on Google, an A+ with the BBB and 4 or more stars on Glassdoor to reflect employee satisfaction and low turnover rate. We give bonus points for additional certifications, such as LEED or certification with the Building Performance Institute (BPI). We flag a company for further review if it has any track record of lawsuits or customer rights violations. We select only the most reputable solar companies to show to users- no scammers on our watch.

Solar Warranty & Customer Support

A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its warranties.

In Ohio, we rank YellowLite and Paradise Energy Solutions high on warranties because their offerings meet or exceed industry standards. On the other hand, we docked points from Ohio Power Solutions because it only offers a 15-year workmanship warranty, lower than the industry standard of 25 years.

Solar Financing Options

A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers multiple financing options, including in-house options in addition to partner organizations. As many solar companies choose not to offer leases and PPAs in the interest of consumer well-being, we do not dock points for companies that don’t offer them.

Experience in Ohio

A company earns a perfect score in this category if it has 10+ years of experience installing solar. The industry standard that we measure against is at least five years of experience.

Ohio Power Solutions is the most experienced solar company in Ohio on our list, so it earns a perfect score in this category.

Availability

A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers services in the majority of Ohio. Almost all of our top-ranked companies in Ohio operate throughout the entire state, so scores in this category are high across the board.

Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance Factors

A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EoL) products or processes and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.