Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clayton, OH (2025 Update)

  • Clayton Solar Installation Cost: $17,915
  • 25-Year Savings: $9,027
  • Payback Period: 19.9 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Clayton

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Clayton.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Clayton, the typical cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Clayton, most homeowners require a 7.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,915, or $25,618 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in Clayton based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.With typical savings of about $11,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Clayton find going solar has a decent ROI.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Clayton

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-16,897
3 years$-14,860
5 years$-12,823
7 years$-10,787
9 years$-8,750
11 years$-6,714
13 years$-4,677
15 years$-2,640
17 years$-604
19 years$1,433
21 years$3,469
23 years$5,506
25 years$7,543

Top Solar Installers in Clayton

DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Taking advantage of an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Another good thing about choosing a reputable solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:

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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

See all of the solar companies in Clayton

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clayton

There are a number of factors that can influence your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Clayton, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,410 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Clayton, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Clayton homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Clayton homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Clayton, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.55$14,895$3,07420.7 years
8 kW$3.48$19,478$4,48020.3 years
10 kW$3.41$23,870$6,07819.9 years
12 kW$3.34$28,071$7,86619.5 years
14 kW$3.27$32,081$9,84619.1 years
16 kW$3.21$35,900$12,01618.7 years
18 kW$3.14$39,529$14,37718.3 years
20 kW$3.07$42,966$16,93017.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the kind of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of offerings before making your decision.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

EcoWatch's Clayton, OH Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Clayton?

The average cost of solar panels in Clayton is about $17,050 for a 5-kW system and $34,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Clayton?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it usually comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.

How much can I save on electricity bills after switching to solar?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $598.96 per year.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.

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.