Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Cleveland, OH (2023 Update)
- East Cleveland Solar Installation Cost: $14,121
- 25-Year Savings: $16,072
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Cleveland
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in East Cleveland.
The average cost of a solar system in East Cleveland is 2.56 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7.9-kW system would cost about $14,121 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will most likely differ based on your specific situation and what company you want to go with. With typical savings of about $15,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in East Cleveland find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in East Cleveland
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,913 |
| 3 years | $-10,498 |
| 5 years | $-8,082 |
| 7 years | $-5,667 |
| 9 years | $-3,251 |
| 11 years | $-836 |
| 13 years | $1,579 |
| 15 years | $3,995 |
| 17 years | $6,410 |
| 19 years | $8,826 |
| 21 years | $11,241 |
| 23 years | $13,657 |
| 25 years | $16,072 |
Top Solar Installers in East Cleveland
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it takes extra labor and handiness. That's why most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Companies can also have access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be best for your home.
Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in East Cleveland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Cleveland
Although the average cost of a solar system in East Cleveland is $14,121, your actual cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's a priority to accurately assess 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 — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like East Cleveland, where sunlight isn't as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is difficult, solar loans are a popular route because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's important to consider that as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in East Cleveland, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in East Cleveland are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.66 | $11,182 | $11,816 | 12.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $16,041 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $20,410 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $24,922 | 11.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $29,577 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $34,376 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $39,318 | 10.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $44,403 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of 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 good reviews from past customers.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, be sure to read it through fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of offerings before deciding.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's East Cleveland, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in East Cleveland?
The average cost of solar panels in East Cleveland is about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in East Cleveland?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
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 East Cleveland is currently $101,755, which means you could be looking at a value of about $4,172 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in East Cleveland is a worthwhile investment.
How long do solar panels last in East Cleveland?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to 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.