Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cleveland, OH (2023 Update)
- Cleveland Solar Installation Cost: $18,803
- 25-Year Savings: $17,358
- Payback Period: 14.9 Years
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Updated October 25, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cleveland
We break down average solar pricing in Cleveland.
The average cost of a solar system in Cleveland is 3 per watt.Since a 7.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Cleveland, the average price of going solar will be about $18,803 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Cleveland homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Even with the high upfront cost, the average Cleveland homeowner can save around $15,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Cleveland
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,431 |
| 3 years | $-14,687 |
| 5 years | $-11,944 |
| 7 years | $-9,200 |
| 9 years | $-6,457 |
| 11 years | $-3,713 |
| 13 years | $-970 |
| 15 years | $1,774 |
| 17 years | $4,517 |
| 19 years | $7,261 |
| 21 years | $10,004 |
| 23 years | $12,748 |
| 25 years | $15,491 |
Top Solar Installers in Cleveland
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your location and energy usage, but working with a solar company can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you apply for incentives available in your area.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Cleveland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cleveland
The cost of installing a solar system in Cleveland can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Cleveland, where sunlight isn’t as 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
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Cleveland, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you pick will affect your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.55 | $14,895 | $9,078 | 15.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.48 | $19,478 | $12,486 | 15.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.41 | $23,870 | $16,086 | 14.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.34 | $28,071 | $19,875 | 14.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.27 | $32,081 | $23,856 | 14.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.21 | $35,900 | $28,028 | 14.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.14 | $39,529 | $32,391 | 13.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.07 | $42,966 | $36,945 | 13.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company 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:
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Cleveland, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cleveland?
The average cost of solar panels in Cleveland 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 consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Cleveland?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Cleveland is currently $101,925, which means you can look forward to a value of about $4,179 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Cleveland is a fruitful investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.