12 Best Solar Companies in Athens, OH (Jul 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Athens based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated 6/24/2022
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Athens
When deciding on the best solar panel companies, Athens homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be mind-boggling, but we're here to make adopting solar energy simpler. Since Athens is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're considering installing solar panels.
Here, we'll narrow down some of the best solar companies in Athens to make your decision a little easier. To get free quotes from the top-rated solar companies in Athens, click the "get quote" button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
4.5
Industry-leading in-house financing- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
-
Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
4.5
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Athens
Nationwide Service
Average Cost
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Local Service
Solar Is Freedom
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Family owned and operated
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Has an online quote form
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Removal & Reinstallation
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Solar Panels
Regional Service
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Nationwide Service
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Local Service
BC Solar, LLC
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
Local Service
MH3 Solar LLC
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Family owned and operated
- Custom system designs
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
Regional Service
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Regional Service
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Local Service
Smucker's Energy LLC
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Vespa Solar, LLP
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Dovetail Solar and Wind
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Maintenance and Repairs
Local Service
SolarVision LLC
- Can browse portfolio on website
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Athens
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs above all. A few key factors that affect the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- How much electricity your household consumes: Households that need a lot of power each month may call for more solar panels and, consequently, more upfront cost, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Athens gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
- The kind of solar panels you can buy: This is dependent on what your budget is.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, lets you deduct 26% of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $22,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
There are many wonderful benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the environment and your finances. Plus, it can increase the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
To find out how much you can help the environment and your wallet by making the switch to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Athens, OH.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array.
Solar Incentives in Athens
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, federal and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make solar power more financially viable and accessible. Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you claim 26% of your project costs when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. For detailed information about local incentives, check out the table below.
| Name | Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | ITC |
| Type | Tax Incentive |
| Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
| Website | Visit here |
| Name | Local Option - Special Energy Improvement Districts |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Solar Renewable Energy Certificates Program (SRECs) |
| Incentive Amount | SREC prices vary based on market conditions |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Athens
If you want to add solar panels to your home, one of the main reasons why may be to reduce your reliance on nonrenewable energy. But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? In a city like Athens where energy use is rather high, going solar is a fantastic idea for those who are eco-conscious. In Athens, the average household can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. The benefits of solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with making the switch to solar.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
4.5
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
4.5
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Athens, OH Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel company in Athens?
In Athens, Solar Is Freedom is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.93 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your roof.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your power bills, it's good for the environment, and it can give you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels need a large upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best type of solar panel?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. As for efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by your roof configuration, how much you're willing to spend and how much energy generation you want.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.