13 Best Solar Companies in Reading, OH (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Reading based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Reading, OH
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Reading homeowner saves $1,048/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Reading
Getting the right solar panel installation company for your house is an important decision, but it's one that can pay off big in Reading. One of the main reasons why many homeowners are thinking about switching to solar energy is because it can significantly lower your monthly utility bills which keep getting higher each year.
There are tons of installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Reading.We recommend shopping around to get several quotes and comparing them to figure out which is the best installer for your home. To get free, no-obligation quotes from vetted solar panel companies in Reading, click the link below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Reading
Solar Energy Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Financing Assistance
Sustainergy Cooperative
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
Raiden Electric
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Icon Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
TGE Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Cincy Solar Systems
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- System Decommissioning
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Paff Electric & Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Skilled Repairs
Solgen Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Rocknoll Energy Systems
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
Solar Power & Light, LLC.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
OGW Energy Resources
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
MasterRoof Solar Panels
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
Village Solar Co
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Reading
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Reading based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Reading
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Ohio solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): 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 contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): 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.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Reading
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs the most.Some significant things that determine the cost and possible savings include:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. Plus, you can save about $12,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be an expensive investment for homes that don’t use too much energy per month.
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Because of Reading’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electricity bills.
- The model of solar panels you want to get: Higher-efficiency panels cost more, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
There are many good benefits of solar in spite of the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth 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.
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Solar Incentives in Reading
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make switching to solar power more economical and accessible.There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that let you earn anywhere from 0 to 50% of your money back after buying a qualifying system. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Reading.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Reading
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.Something many might be asking themselves is how much can they really help protect the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Switching to solar power is a great choice for the environment, because the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. 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 National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Reading, OH Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installation company in Reading?
The top local solar company in Reading is Solar Energy Solutions, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, in some cases, completely eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and lower your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for a majority of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels cost less but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can’t, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof layout 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.