Top 7 Best Solar Companies in Ohio (2024 Reviews)

Blue Raven Solar is best known for its ground-breaking financing program, which makes solar highly accessible and more beneficial than standard loan options.

Blue Raven has limited service offerings, but for customers who just want panels, we think it’s an outstanding choice for solar projects in Ohio.

Why We Chose Blue Raven Solar as the Company With the Best Financing Program

Blue Raven Solar’s BluePower Plus+ financing program is what we believe is the best solar loan option out there. It requires no down payment, comes with low interest rates and includes 18 months of interest-free financing. That first year and a half you own your system will provide an average energy savings of more than $2,000 in Ohio, which means you can pay off a good chunk of your system for free before you start making payments.

Blue Raven is a large company, but it still manages to maintain a reputation for excellent customer service. Most customers are pleased with the communication and attention they get from Blue Raven, which is not something that can be said about many other companies of this size.

Additionally, Blue Raven’s pricing is below average, which helps make the high solar installation costs in Ohio more palatable.

What We Don’t Like

The biggest downside to Blue Raven, in our opinion, is that the company only installs solar panels. Customers looking for batteries, EV chargers or other add-on products or energy efficiency upgrades will need to find a different installer entirely. Plus, any equipment installed after Blue Raven puts panels on your roof won’t be eligible for the federal investment tax credit (ITC).

Additionally, Blue Raven doesn’t accept leases or PPAs. We do think that the BluePower Plus+ program makes up for that in large part and keeps the company’s services accessible, but we do like it when companies help keep customers’ options open.

Read our full review of Blue Raven Solar for more information.

Solar Products

Blue Raven Solar installs panels from four different manufacturers: SolarEdge, Trina, Hyundai and Canadian Solar. These are all great brands to choose from, and they all deliver good durability and performance.

If you want the best chance of eliminating your energy bills despite the low-sun conditions in Ohio, we recommend the Trina panels, as these have the highest efficiency rating available. The panels from SolarEdge are the most affordable, though, so these might be better if you’d prefer to optimize for a low upfront cost.

Blue Raven doesn’t offer any solar batteries, EV chargers or other add-on products. It does work with Enphase inverters, though, so you can get access to the Enphase solar monitoring app through the company.

Financing Options

Blue Raven Solar only accepts cash purchases and solar loans through its in-house financing program, BluePower Plus+.

We prefer companies that also accept leases and PPAs for variety and greater accessibility, but the BluePower Plus+ program does ease the financial burden of going solar with 18 months of interest-free financing and low interest rates.

We still recommend a cash purchase if you can make it work, as this will still maximize your savings and limit what you spend over time on your panels.

Warranty Information

When you go solar with Blue Raven, you get a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty, which is average, a 25-year production warranty, which is a little longer than average and a 10-year workmanship warranty, which is average.

This coverage is good, but we do like to see lengthier labor warranties, as they help reduce the risk of damage to your panels and roof, even when exposed to the rainfall and above-average snowfall in Ohio.

Click here for a free quote from Blue Raven Solar.

Yellowlite couples the local experience and customer service of a smaller company with the availability of a much larger one.

The company only accepts cash payments and loans, so some customers won’t be able to afford it, but those that can won’t be disappointed with the service they receive.

Why We Chose Yellowlite as the Best National Provider

Above all else, we chose Yellowlite as the best national provider because of its customer service. Even though it’s a sizable company, the representatives are always concerned with providing great customer care. Yellowlite maintains a 4.6-star rating on Google Reviews and a 4-star rating on the Better Business Bureau’s website, which is better than most companies in the area.

Yellowlite’s techs and salespeople are trained locally. Not only do they understand the specific energy needs and weather concerns that most Ohio solar customers have, but they’re also familiar with local solar incentives and rebate programs. They’re willing to help customers file for them to maximize solar savings, which is something larger national companies sometimes fall short on.

Yellowlite also carries a wide range of high-quality residential panel brands, meaning there should be something that appeals to all Ohioans in the product lineup.

What We Don’t Like

Yellowlite doesn’t accept leases or PPAs, so while its average pricing helps keep its products and services accessible, it’s only a good option if you can afford a cash purchase or qualify for a solar loan.

Additionally, Yellowlite’s workmanship warranty lasts for ten years. This is in line with the industry average, but we like to see longer coverage in an area like Ohio. Ohioans, particularly the areas around Lake Erie, see above-average amounts of snowfall each year. Prolonged exposure to moisture can put improperly installed systems at risk of leaking, and a lengthier labor warranty helps provide some peace of mind that that won’t happen.

Solar Products

Yellowlite installs quite a few panel brands, including Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, QCells, Panasonic, Jinko Solar and SunPower/Maxeon. This is an impressive lineup of panels and should have something for all energy needs and budgets.

We recommend the Maxeon panels overall, as these help deliver maximum value and savings even in the low-sun conditions. They can also help ensure you bank enough power to offset your consumption through snowstorms. If you’re looking to prioritize a low system installation cost, we recommend SolarEdge, as these have the lowest installation cost.

In addition to these panel brands, Yellowlite offers the following products and services:

• Tesla Powerwalls
• Enphase inverters
• Solar monitoring apps from SunPower, Tesla and Enphase

Financing Options

Unfortunately, Yellowlite doesn’t accept any payment options other than cash and solar loans. These are the options we recommend, but leases and PPAs added in would make the company’s services more widely accessible.

Of the two options available, we suggest a cash purchase if you can make it work. Paying in cash will provide greater energy savings in the long run, and not paying interest on your system will mean your all-in conversion cost is lower than it would be with a loan. Both options let you take the federal credit, though, which holds an average potential value of just under $7,000 in Ohio.

Warranty Information

Yellowlite includes a 25-year warranty for the equipment and the panel efficiency. The equipment coverage is standard, but the efficiency guarantee is a little longer than most companies provide.

As mentioned above, Yellowlite also includes a workmanship warranty that lasts for ten years. This is also in line with the average, although we do wish this was a little longer since the risk of issues with rooftop solar systems in Ohio is above average due to the weather.

Click here for a free quote from Yellowlite.

Paradise Energy Solutions provides good customer service and high-quality equipment, all while maintaining below-average pricing for its services.

The company doesn’t have the best workmanship warranty, and it offers few financing options, but we still feel it’s a company worth considering in Ohio.

Why We Chose Paradise Energy Solutions as the Most Affordable

Paradise Energy Solutions maintains below-average pricing for Ohio, which means the typically high cost of converting will be lower when you choose this company.

Despite the below-average cost, you don’t have to compromise on quality. Paradise Energy Solutions is known for outstanding customer service, so you’ll always feel that you’re in good hands. Plus, the company has years of local experience, so it understands the needs of Ohioans and can install a system that suits the local energy needs.

Additionally, the technicians are locally trained, so they can often help you take advantage of local solar incentives to boost savings even more. The technicians have local expertise, and many are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), so you can rest assured you’re getting a high-quality system installed by true professionals.

What We Don’t Like

There are a few minor drawbacks to working with Paradise Energy Solutions. First off, it has limited service offerings, as it only installs solar panels and batteries. Customers looking for EV chargers, other add-on products or other energy efficiency upgrades will need to choose a different provider.

Additionally, the company only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, and its workmanship warranty only lasts for ten years. We generally like to see additional payment options for accessibility and longer coverage to protect homeowners from the severe weather in Ohio.

Solar Products

Paradise Energy Solutions installs panels manufactured by SolarEdge, Solectria, QCells and Peimar. All of these are tier-one brands and are trusted options in the solar industry.

Given the below-average sunlight availability in Ohio and the risk of snow coverage that can decimate production, we suggest a highly efficient solar panel brand like QCells. This will help maximize your savings, even though the net energy metering program in the area isn’t ideal.

If you want to keep costs down, you could safely opt for any of the other brands, which have lower costs per watt.

Financing Options

Paradise Energy Solutions only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, so it’s not the best option for accessibility. Leases and PPAs added to this lineup would make the company’s services available to far more Ohioans.

Of the two options that are available, we’d suggest paying in cash if you can make it work. Cash payments cost the most upfront, but they provide the greatest value over time in terms of energy savings and savings on your actual equipment.

Warranty Information

Paradise Energy Solutions offers a panel and panel production warranty that lasts for 25 years. The panel coverage is average, but the production warranty is a little longer than the typical 20-year warranty you’d see from many other installers.

The company also offers a ten-year workmanship warranty. This is average in the industry, but again, we’d really prefer to see longer coverage in Ohio. Residents see above-average snowfall and the occasional tornado that can put panels at risk of damage if not installed properly.

Click here for a free quote from Paradise Energy Solutions.

Ohio Power Solutions is a small, local installer that provides outstanding customer service and a massive range of products and services.

The company is on the expensive end and only accepts cash and solar loans, but if you can afford it, we’re confident you’ll be pleased with the system and service you receive.

Why We Chose Ohio Power Solutions as the Best Local Installer

If you’re looking for the hands-on experience and customer care that only a local installer can provide, we think Ohio Power Solutions is going to be your best option. The company is located in Columbus and only services Ohio. That means its technicians are specifically trained in and live in Ohio. They are in tune with local needs and energy demands.

The company is highly communicative throughout the entire conversion process and is quick to respond to everything from requests for solar quotes and warranty claims.

In addition to being local solar experts with over a decade of localized experience, the company also offers a nice range of other products and services, including solar thermal and wind power solutions. This suggests a dedication to renewable energy rather than profit alone, which helps set the company apart from the competition in the area.

What We Don’t Like

Ohio Power Solutions has above-average pricing, which is a pretty significant drawback, given how expensive solar arrays are normally in the state. Combined with the fact that the company doesn’t accept leases or PPAs, this limits the overall availability.

Additionally, the company only operates in and around the Columbus area. If you fall within the company’s service area, we strongly recommend considering it, but a large number of customers won’t.

Solar Products

Ohio Power Solutions doesn’t advertise specific panel brands it installs and instead notes that it works with a wide variety. As a small company focused on individual customers, that means your panel brand will likely be chosen based on your specific needs, like low upfront costs or maximum power production for long-term savings.

The company also offers a great selection of other products and services, which we’ll list below:

• Solar thermal solutions, including solar water heaters
• Wind power solutions, including turbines
• Solar and energy-efficient lighting for indoors and outdoors
• Generac solar batteries
• Generators
• Solar monitoring apps to keep track of your production, storage and energy consumption

Financing Options

Ohio Power Solutions only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. Again, these are the only options we typically suggest using to pay for your system, but it would be nice to see lower-cost options like leases and PPAs too. Unfortunately, the limited payment options combined with the high company costs mean that this is one of the least accessible options on our list.

We suggest a cash purchase from this provider if you can afford it. Paying in cash comes with the highest initial costs, but your system will pay for itself more quickly and provide greater energy savings over time.

Warranty Information

Ohio Power Solutions couples its high-quality systems and local expertise with a 25-year warranty that covers the panels — this is average — and a 25-year warranty that guarantees a minimum efficiency over time — this is slightly longer than average.

Additionally, the company backs its workmanship with a 15-year labor warranty. This is longer than you’ll see from most installers, and it’s a welcome additional coverage option in Ohio, where the risk of damage to improperly installed systems is relatively high.

Click here for a free quote from Ohio Power Solutions.

If you’re looking for unmatched customer service, fast response times and quick resolutions to warranty claims, we strongly recommend Icon Solar.

Although we don’t recommend leases or PPAs, Icon Solar doesn’t offer them, which limits the availability of the company’s services.

Why We Chose Icon Solar as the Best for Customer Service

Icon Solar is a small company located in Milford, and its technicians make customer service their highest priority. This is evident in the company’s incredible 4.8-star rating on Google Reviews and the A+ rating with the BBB. Most customers rave about the quality of care they receive from the first contact and request for a quote to well beyond the installation if there are ever any issues with the panels.

Icon Solar is small enough to focus on specifics, like local solar incentives and rebates. The representatives are familiar with the perks available to Ohioans, specifically, and they always help customers file for and take part in as many benefit programs as possible. Ultimately, this helps you save money on your installation.

Additionally, Icon Solar is a member of the Green Umbrella Regional Sustainability Alliance, which suggests that it cares about more than profit and also that it’s committed to the social and environmental impact of solar energy.

What We Don’t Like

The only real downside we see to Icon Solar is a relatively minor one: it’s not the most accessible company because it doesn’t accept leases or PPAs. Since cash purchases are the most expensive upfront and loans require specific credit scores to qualify, some customers just won’t be able to consider Icon as an option.

Additionally, Icon Solar only includes a five-year workmanship warranty. This is half of the industry average and far shorter than we’d like to see in Ohio. Still, the company’s local expertise does help provide some peace of mind that it won’t cause issues with your system.

Solar Products

Icon Solar offers panels manufactured by QCells, Canadian Solar and SolarEdge.

We recommend optimizing your system for production and efficiency since Ohio has below-average sunlight availability and a risk of reduced production during the winter if snow covers the panels. QCells and Canadian Solar are going to be your best bet for this purpose, as these panels have the highest efficiency of the ones available from Icon.

SolarEdge panels have a lower cost per watt than the other two, so you might want to choose those if you prefer to prioritize a lower installation cost.

In addition to panels, Icon Solar provides the following products and services:

• Tesla Powerwalls
• Enphase solar batteries
• Enphase and Tesla solar monitoring mobile apps
• Commercial solar projects

Financing Options

As mentioned above, Icon Solar only accepts cash and loans. Cash is the preferred option since it leaves you with higher savings in the long run, still lets you take the federal tax credit and helps you avoid interest, which can bump up your system total. A loan is also a great option that still gives you access to the federal solar tax credit, although the interest will reduce your energy savings a bit.

We would love to see leases and PPAs offered as well, just for the sake of accessibility, but we don’t suggest these options for anyone who can make a cash purchase or a loan work.

Warranty Information

Icon Solar includes a 25-year panel and performance warranty, which is great. The panel coverage is standard, but the performance warranty — which helps ensure solar savings even in the low-sun conditions in Ohio — is a little better than many competitors offer.

The company also includes a five-year warranty for workmanship and roof leaks. The workmanship warranty is about half of the industry average, and we’d really love to see a significantly longer warranty term. However, the added coverage specifically for roof leaks is a nice touch, especially since leaks are a bigger risk in Ohio, given the above-average snowfall in the area.

Click here for a free quote from Icon Solar.