12 Best Solar Companies in Cincinnati, OH (Aug 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Cincinnati based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Updated 7/19/2022
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Best solar companies in Cincinnati
When you're on the hunt for the best solar companies in Cincinnati, combing through all the options can be intimidating, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many good benefits. Due to its moderate amount of average daily sunlight, Cincinnati has a good amount of solar growth, so many of the best solar companies in the nation have opened up there to help residents embrace renewable energy.
In this article, we'll review the top Cincinnati solar installers so you can find the best one for your home's renewable energy needs. Read on to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected to a highly rated solar company near you right away by clicking the button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Cincinnati
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
The Green Panel
- 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
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
Sun Daddy Solar, LLC
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
RBI Solar
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Custom system designs
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
OGW Energy Resources
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Locally owned and operated
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
Local Service
GoSun Inc.
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Solar Power & Light
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Sun Harvesters LLC
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- 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 Cincinnati
The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down immensely in the past few years, but it's still a significant investment for most homeowners. Some key things that affect the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- average energy usage: The more energy your home uses on average and the higher your current energy bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from switching to solar.
- The kind of solar panels you can purchase: This depends on how much you're willing to invest upfront.
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, plus the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can produce.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 26% of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $12,000 over 20 years with your system, too.
So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you're trying to reduce your electric bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Cincinnati homeowners.
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If you're wondering how much you could impact the environment if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Cincinnati, OH.
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Solar Incentives in Cincinnati
There are several reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them consists of some government incentives you can take advantage of. There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that let you earn a decent amount of money back after installing a qualifying system. You can learn about the incentives you can use in the table below.
| Name | ITC |
| Type | Tax Incentive |
| Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
| Website | Visit here |
| Name | City of Cincinnati - Property Tax Abatement for Green Buildings |
| Incentive Amount | Residential New Construction: 100% tax abatement for 15 years Residential Renovations: 100% tax abatement for 10 years Commercial New Construction: Effective 75% tax abatement for 8-15 years Commercial Renovations: Effective 75% tax abatement for 8-12 years |
| Incentive Max | For buildings with permits received on or before January 31, 2013: $562,792 maximum improved market value for residential buildings except no limitation with LEED Platinum certification (the maximum incentive increases by 3% every year) For buildings with permits received after January 31, 2013: $275,000 improved market value for Non-LEED certified and LEED-certified buildings $400,000 improved market value for LEED Silver buildings $562,000 improved market value for LEED Gold buildings No limit for LEED Platinum buildings $275,000 per dwelling for multi-unit (4 or more) buildings |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click 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 |
| Name | Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Cincinnati
One reason so many consider installing solar panels is to help reduce their environmental impact. But you may be curious — how much exactly can you help the planet by using solar power? As stated by the EPA, electricity production is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help put a dent in that number in a city like Cincinnati that generates a sizable amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. When you go solar, your carbon emissions can be lowered by about 90 pounds a year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll likely understand that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is worth more.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Cincinnati, OH Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installation company in Cincinnati?
The top local solar company in Cincinnati is Solar Is Freedom, with a rating of 4.93 stars.
What are the major advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your electricity bills, it's a sustainable source of energy, and it can give you a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for a majority of homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them for your home's energy needs.
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.