Solar Panel Cost Guide in Ottawa Hills, OH (2023 Update)

  • Ottawa Hills Solar Installation Cost: $13,715
  • 25-Year Savings: $14,416
  • Payback Period: 12.2 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

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 Ottawa Hills

Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Ottawa Hills.

The average cost of a solar panel system in Ottawa Hills is 2.56 per watt. Since a 7.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Ottawa Hills, the average price of going solar will be about $13,709 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Ottawa Hills homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Despite the large upfront cost, the average Ottawa Hills homeowner can save around $14,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Ottawa Hills for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Ottawa Hills

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-13,621
3 years $-13,434
5 years $-13,246
7 years $-13,059
9 years $-12,871
11 years $-12,684
13 years $-12,496
15 years $-12,308
17 years $-12,121
19 years $-11,933
21 years $-11,746
23 years $-11,558
25 years $-11,371

Top Solar Installers in Ottawa Hills

DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Using a solar company can make swapping over to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar companies offer can be helpful as well, especially if you aren't sure what kind of solar equipment you need.

You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Ottawa Hills:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

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

Best Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in Ottawa Hills

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Ottawa Hills

There are a number of criteria that can determine your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. That's why it's crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Generally speaking, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Ottawa Hills have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels. 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 securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of renewable energy solutions in Ottawa Hills, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.

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 $10,871 12.7 years
8 kW $2.61 $14,623 $14,782 12.4 years
10 kW $2.56 $17,920 $18,836 12.2 years
12 kW $2.51 $21,074 $23,033 11.9 years
14 kW $2.46 $24,084 $27,373 11.7 years
16 kW $2.41 $26,952 $31,857 11.5 years
18 kW $2.36 $29,676 $36,485 11.2 years
20 kW $2.30 $32,256 $41,255 11.0 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you hire.
  • Contract: When reading over your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

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

Best Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Ottawa Hills, OH Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Ottawa Hills?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Ottawa Hills?

You can't get solar panels for free in Ottawa Hills. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Is going solar worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

How long do solar panels last in Ottawa Hills?

Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had 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.

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