Best Solar Panel Installation Companies in Ohio

If your energy bill is higher than you’d like and rate hikes from a year ago still have you down, generating some of your own energy might sound more and more attractive. Fortunately, there are local and federal incentives that will make your clean energy switch much easier in Ohio.

The most important federal incentive is a major tax credit that was included in the Inflation Reduction Act, providing a 30% rebate on the cost of any clean energy additions you make to your home when it rolls around to tax season.

Ohio also has several local incentives to encourage homeowners to install a solar panel system. Net metering policies let you return excess energy generated to the grid for credits that will let you pull that same amount of energy from the grid in months where you can’t generate as much energy. Additionally, a property tax exemption on solar panel systems may help eligible homeowners make clean energy additions to their household.

To decide if solar is right for you, you’ll need to take into account your specific situation: your roof’s condition and shading, your energy use, the price you’re quoted and more. It’s part of the reason you should get multiple quotes to weigh before making your decision — so here are the best solar installers to consult with before you make that decision.

Best solar panel companies in Ohio 

Palmetto Solar

Best overall

Solar panels are typically low maintenance equipment, but they’re also unfamiliar. If you want to reap the benefits of solar but will have a bit more peace of mind if someone else is making sure it’s working, Palmetto might be a good fit for you. Just remember to add the cost of Palmetto’s monitoring service in to your payback period calculations.

SunPower Solar

Best solar panels

If you’re looking for top-of-the-line solar panels, SunPower is your best choice. But don’t write it off if you’re looking for a less flashy installation that will get the job done. This year it started installing Qcells panels, which should make an installation from the longest-tenured company on our list available to more people.

Freedom Forever

Best for cash customers

Include Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that’s changing.

Tesla Solar

Most affordable

Tesla’s solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk’s ventures. Even Tesla’s Solar Roof seems to get more love.

If price is the thing you won’t budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.

Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla’s service is a bit of a gamble.

Local Ohio solar installers

You don’t have to go with a major national company to install your solar panels. Many smaller, local companies offer solar panel installation and other services. Here are a couple we found.

How to determine which solar panel company in Ohio is best for me

According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, Ohioans have 73 solar installers to choose from. Some solar companies hire installers, while others keep the entire process in-house. Ask your selected solar company about its process, so you know who to contact from start to finish. 

Most importantly, get quotes from multiple companies and compare them based on their prices, products, warranties and reputation. Ask friends and neighbors who have gone solar about their experiences, and consult online reviews to see if a company follows through on its promises.

Average cost of solar panels in Ohio

Here’s a look at the average cash price for the average solar panel system in Ohio before factoring in tax credits and incentives, according to data from FindEnergy.com. Your system might be more expensive depending on the installer you choose and whether you include solar batteries or additional equipment in your purchase.

This cost infographic provides the average total price, cost per watt and system size for solar panel systems across the United States, according to data from FindEnergy.com. The prices shown are not representative of any potential reductions from tax credits or state solar incentives. If FindEnergy doesn’t have solar data for a state, it appears grayed out on the map.  

Ohio solar panel incentives and rebates

Adding solar panels to your home is an investment, even with decreased solar prices. Solar tax credits and incentives make choosing green energy more affordable in Ohio. 

The federal solar tax credit, known as the Residential Clean Energy Credit, offers 30% of the cost of a solar system as a credit when you file your taxes. The credit applies to solar systems purchased from the beginning of 2022 through 2032.

Local incentives include net metering and a property tax exemption.

Net metering allows homeowners with solar panel systems to return excess energy produced to the grid to earn credits, which are then used during months with less sunlight, where the solar panel system can’t produce enough energy to power the entire household. This eases any potential financial burden you might feel during these times of year.

Eligible homeowners are also able to receive a property tax exemption on clean energy additions to the household, meaning you won’t be paying additional taxes for the extra value these clean energy generating installations add to your home.

Here’s a chart to breakdown the incentives and benefits of going solar in Ohio in a quick and easy way: 

How to pay for solar panels in Ohio

As with any major purchase, you will want to think about where the money for the panels will come from. It’s important to keep in mind that the money from the tax credit won’t be yours until after you’ve filed your taxes for the year the panels are installed.

Here are some ways to pay for solar panels:

• Solar loan: Your solar installer likely has a relationship with a bank or other financial institution to offer a loan designed for solar panels. This can be a great deal, but you’ll want to get multiple offers to ensure the rates and terms are the best.
• Cash: This is the simplest approach, but it works only if you happen to have tens of thousands of dollars sitting around in a bank account. If you don’t have that yet but want solar panels in the future, consider saving money in a high-yield savings account. Interest rates are high right now, and this can help you save faster.
• Personal loan: You can also borrow money through a personal loan. The main difference between a personal loan and a home equity loan is that a personal loan is typically unsecured. That means your house isn’t at risk. The downside is they tend to have shorter terms and higher interest rates than home equity products.
• Home equity: You don’t have to use a loan from your solar company. Financial institutions offer home equity loans and lines of credit, also known as HELOCs, that are commonly used for home improvement projects. These loans can be used for basically any purpose, and they may be a good fit for your solar project. Shop around and make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Want something smaller than a whole-home solar system? See our picks for the best portable solar panels and solar generators.

Installation factors to consider

Here are five things to consider when deciding if installing a solar system is right for you. Consider what type of solar panel system you want. Among other differences, some solar panels are more efficient than others.

How we found the best solar panel installation companies

Ohio solar panels FAQs