Summary of Ohio solar incentives 2021
Although the Ohio Public Utilities Commission recently reduced the amount of credit you get when you send unused solar power back to your utility, solar power still makes a lot of sense here for homeowners.
In the future, we'd like to see more support from Mike DeWine for homeowners who want to go solar, and on a strengthened renewable portfolio standard. Ohioans deserve to be part of a profitable renewable energy future for us all.
On this page, you can:
-
Learn what solar incentives are available to Ohio homeowners
-
See what Ohio solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
-
Find out how much these incentives and/or Ohio solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
Federal solar investment tax credit
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Ohio
This perk is commonly known as the ITC, short for “Investment Tax Credit”. If you install your photovoltaic system in 2020, the federal tax credit is 26% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 26% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 26% = $5,200.
The federal tax credit falls to 22% at the end of 2022.
Net energy metering in Ohio
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net Metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume, and make sure you get credit for the surplus.
Ohio used to have one of the strongest net metering policies in the country. However, now any net excess generation your system produces on a monthly basis will be credited to your bill, but only at the per-kWh generation charge, which averages between 4 and 5 cents per kWh across the state. While that’s still a credit, it’s less than half of current retail electricity rates of $0.12/kwh.
Therefore, it’s important to size your solar energy system well, so you aren’t feeding in a whole bunch of credits back to your utility when you aren’t able to use the power onise.
Ohio separates itself from the pack as one of the handful of states that allows you to request a check for any credits accumulated over the course of a 12-month billing cycle. That’s right – if you run a surplus for the year, the utility company will actually pay you.
Ohio solar rebates
While Ohio does not have a dedicated state rebate for solar panel installation, some manufacturers like LG offer their own solar rebates. These programs are usually time sensitive. For example, LG offers a $600 solar rebate on their equipment, which your installer can help you redeem over the next year.
Tax exemptions
Here’s some great news: the value of your home goes up when you install solar panels. Here’s some okay news: The cities of Cleveland and Cincinnati will let you keep that extra home value off the property tax rolls for many years to come. Here's some not-so-good news: the rest of the state has property tax relief only for commercial solar installations.
Ohio does have a sales tax exemption for solar energy though! That means you’ll save 5.75% on the purchase of your new system. On an investment of tens of thousands of dollars, that’s nothing to sneeze at.
Cost of solar panels in your part of Ohio after all applicable solar incentives
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 10.8kW system, after 26% federal tax credit
Solar prices near you
Payback period
10.1-12.4 years
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$29,850-$36,484
Average size system installed in OH in 2021
10.8kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Best 10 solar companies in Ohio
23 solar companies in Ohio provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.85 64 Reviews
Latest review
Honeyrun Farm, over 1 month
We ran into Sheldon Stutzman at the Farm Science Review. He was open and friendly, able to answer all our questions. A few years later, I had a barn in place and we were ready for solar. So we went with Paradise.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$16,000 ($3.20 per watt)
Latest review
Honeyrun Farm, over 1 month
We ran into Sheldon Stutzman at the Farm Science Review. He was open and friendly, able to answer all our questions. A few years later, I had a barn in place and we were ready for solar. So we went with Paradise.
4.64 47 Reviews
Latest review
happy customer, 3 weeks ago
From our first phone call with Lloyd Hall we were impressed with his knowledge and professionalism. There was no high pressure sale, just information on the advantages of solar. Everyone we dealt with was knowledgable and promises were always kept. In July, hottest on record, we kept our a/c at 72 degrees, and had an $8 electric bill!
Read more
Latest review
happy customer, 3 weeks ago
From our first phone call with Lloyd Hall we were impressed with his knowledge and professionalism. There was no high pressure sale, just information on the advantages of solar. Everyone we dealt with was knowledgable and promises were always kept. In July, hottest on record, we kept our a/c at 72 degrees, and had an $8 electric bill!
4.64 1,453 Reviews
Latest review
Igor, 17 hours ago
I got my panels installed in 6 hours vs. 1.5 days since Blue Raven brought 2 crews and they finished by 3pm! The work quality is good, county inspection got passed in 1 minute! Very happy so far!
Read more
Latest review
Igor, 17 hours ago
I got my panels installed in 6 hours vs. 1.5 days since Blue Raven brought 2 crews and they finished by 3pm! The work quality is good, county inspection got passed in 1 minute! Very happy so far!
4.62 50 Reviews
Latest review
EDW, over 1 month
Third Sun solar installed our system in August of 2020. We contacted several Ohio-based companies and they were all quick to respond and offer a proposal. We chose Third Sun based on their established track record. It has been a very positive experience and the results exceeded projections. Currently, we are offsetting 100% of our electrical needs with the solar system. This, in Dayton, Ohio which is not the sunniest place in the world. Go Solar!
Read more
Latest review
EDW, over 1 month
Third Sun solar installed our system in August of 2020. We contacted several Ohio-based companies and they were all quick to respond and offer a proposal. We chose Third Sun based on their established track record. It has been a very positive experience and the results exceeded projections. Currently, we are offsetting 100% of our electrical needs with the solar system. This, in Dayton, Ohio which is not the sunniest place in the world. Go Solar!
4.47 30 Reviews
Latest review
Dan, over 1 month
I suspect I'm picky about customer service, and know I'm picky about how things are done and how they look on my house. These guys were knowledgeable, and just great to work with. Did a very nice job. Professional, quality work. I'm very pleased.
Read more
Latest review
Dan, over 1 month
I suspect I'm picky about customer service, and know I'm picky about how things are done and how they look on my house. These guys were knowledgeable, and just great to work with. Did a very nice job. Professional, quality work. I'm very pleased.
4.46 14 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
We hired Bold Alternatives to do a 3KW array on our house (no storage). They pulled all permits and passed inspection the first time. The array looks beautiful. They worked with a roofer who seems to have done a good job with our cedar shingle roof. Overall a highly recommended company.
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
We hired Bold Alternatives to do a 3KW array on our house (no storage). They pulled all permits and passed inspection the first time. The array looks beautiful. They worked with a roofer who seems to have done a good job with our cedar shingle roof. Overall a highly recommended company.
4.45 29 Reviews
Latest review
Chris Corvette, over 1 month
When we began considering solar, we contacted a number of vendors, read a great deal, and spoke with numerous neighbors who had solar. After interviewing several solar vendors — and began to think that we had walked into a car dealership — we sat down with Ecohouse Solar, and Andy Kuss came to our house, went over everything that we could think of plus more. He was not in a hurry and did not use any pressure sales tactics. We decided to go with Ecohouse Solar. The installation crew was incredible. Fast, efficient, communicative, and friendly — our dog wanted to go home with one. The Ecohouse Solar electrician was the same story. They did the entire installation in two days, and they left the place cleaner than when they arrived. By far, the longest part of the entire venture was waiting for AEP. (And thank heavens Ecohouse Solar took care of the paperwork. We recommend them without hesitation, and we have not done so with anyone else in years.
Read more
Latest review
Chris Corvette, over 1 month
When we began considering solar, we contacted a number of vendors, read a great deal, and spoke with numerous neighbors who had solar. After interviewing several solar vendors — and began to think that we had walked into a car dealership — we sat down with Ecohouse Solar, and Andy Kuss came to our house, went over everything that we could think of plus more. He was not in a hurry and did not use any pressure sales tactics. We decided to go with Ecohouse Solar. The installation crew was incredible. Fast, efficient, communicative, and friendly — our dog wanted to go home with one. The Ecohouse Solar electrician was the same story. They did the entire installation in two days, and they left the place cleaner than when they arrived. By far, the longest part of the entire venture was waiting for AEP. (And thank heavens Ecohouse Solar took care of the paperwork. We recommend them without hesitation, and we have not done so with anyone else in years.
4.38 18 Reviews
Latest review
ARP - The best Solar system out , over 1 month
I am not sure where to start. I saw a huge difference in the various installers out there. ARP-Solar is EXCELLENT. I looked seriously at four different providers and Gary Easton at ARP-Solar was by far the best; best design, most knowledgeable about the products in the industry and the industry in general, fastest response time to questions, best references, and yes, the best price. His installation team was very pleasant to work with and top notch. They even re-stacked my fire wood next to where they installed one of the disconnect boxes. I can’t wait to tell everyone in my network about them. The only issues I really had all were dealing with Duke Energy and getting the bi-directional meter in. We had issues with them reading it correctly and entering the data correctly. It should be fixed now – my last Duke energy bill was $5.36 for November. I still need to find a way to keep the snow and ice off the panels and to clear out these clouds! I can’t wait to see my production numbers this coming spring and summer!
Read more
Latest review
ARP - The best Solar system out , over 1 month
I am not sure where to start. I saw a huge difference in the various installers out there. ARP-Solar is EXCELLENT. I looked seriously at four different providers and Gary Easton at ARP-Solar was by far the best; best design, most knowledgeable about the products in the industry and the industry in general, fastest response time to questions, best references, and yes, the best price. His installation team was very pleasant to work with and top notch. They even re-stacked my fire wood next to where they installed one of the disconnect boxes. I can’t wait to tell everyone in my network about them. The only issues I really had all were dealing with Duke Energy and getting the bi-directional meter in. We had issues with them reading it correctly and entering the data correctly. It should be fixed now – my last Duke energy bill was $5.36 for November. I still need to find a way to keep the snow and ice off the panels and to clear out these clouds! I can’t wait to see my production numbers this coming spring and summer!
4.35 23 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
SunLight Solutions has solved our high energy bills. Our electric bills keep increasing and now after our solar panels have been installed our first bill has shown a nearly 50% decrease. Everyone at Solar Energy has been so friendly and helpful throughout the whole process. Keeping in touch with us and letting us know what to expect with every step was so helpful and we found it to be very comforting.
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
SunLight Solutions has solved our high energy bills. Our electric bills keep increasing and now after our solar panels have been installed our first bill has shown a nearly 50% decrease. Everyone at Solar Energy has been so friendly and helpful throughout the whole process. Keeping in touch with us and letting us know what to expect with every step was so helpful and we found it to be very comforting.
4.32 6 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
If you choose to work with Asidaco, you will find a band of professional industry leaders who will make you their top priority. They stay informed and educated with regard to new and updated products and always have an eye on cost-effectiveness for your residence and/or your business.
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
If you choose to work with Asidaco, you will find a band of professional industry leaders who will make you their top priority. They stay informed and educated with regard to new and updated products and always have an eye on cost-effectiveness for your residence and/or your business.
Useful links
Related solar news
Ben Zientara
January 26, 2021
The state of net metering in the United States in 2021
This annual report ranks the states for friendliness to home solar based on their net metering programs.
Ben Zientara
January 21, 2019
What is a solar carve-out?
A solar-carve out sets a specific goal for electricity generation from solar panels in a state’s energy mix. It often includes incentives for installing solar.
Jack Wisniewski
September 21, 2021
Is my roof good for solar? The 4 essentials installers consider and why
Prove whether your roof can accommodate solar by assessing your system size, roof space, roof material, and roof condition today.
Ben Zientara
September 20, 2021
Guide to going solar in PG&E territory
Our guide to getting solar panels for your home if you’re a Pacific Gas & Electric customer. PG&E solar programs can ensure you save a lot for years to come.
Catherine Lane
September 17, 2021
NeoVolta: Is this new solar battery brand here to stay?
NeoVolta is a solar battery manufacturing startup that produces safe, high performance batteries at a reasonable price. Are they right for your home?