There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 10.8kW system, after 26% federal tax credit
24 solar companies in Ohio provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.86 78 Reviews
Prof JSF, over 1 month
I cannot say enough good things about Paradise Energy!!!!!! I have never dealt with a company that pays more careful attention to the individual customer. We were impressed from the very first by the fact that they did not instantly try to sell us on a solar installation, but instead cautioned us that they would first ascertain whether we got enough sunlight to make it worth our while. They explained everything to us every step of the way, were meticulous in their work, and literally kept in weekly touch until the project was complete. And then they even checked up afterward to make sure that the utility company had done its part correctly, and to make sure that we were 100% satisfied with every detail including the (optional) placement on our property of a sign saying we are solar powered. They are awesome.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$16,000 ($3.20 per watt)
Prof JSF, over 1 month
I cannot say enough good things about Paradise Energy!!!!!! I have never dealt with a company that pays more careful attention to the individual customer. We were impressed from the very first by the fact that they did not instantly try to sell us on a solar installation, but instead cautioned us that they would first ascertain whether we got enough sunlight to make it worth our while. They explained everything to us every step of the way, were meticulous in their work, and literally kept in weekly touch until the project was complete. And then they even checked up afterward to make sure that the utility company had done its part correctly, and to make sure that we were 100% satisfied with every detail including the (optional) placement on our property of a sign saying we are solar powered. They are awesome.
4.63 1,576 Reviews
Laura, 1 week ago
Worthwhile experience anyway for the fiat benefits it brings but the people involved in this whole process were friendly and helpful!
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Laura, 1 week ago
Worthwhile experience anyway for the fiat benefits it brings but the people involved in this whole process were friendly and helpful!
4.62 50 Reviews
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!
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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!
4.58 33 Reviews
John & Diane, over 1 month
We are VERY pleased with our recent installation of solar panels on our house by Ecohouse. Mike Hopper, the project manager, and everyone else at Ecohouse made it easy for us to go solar and to feel really good about our decision. At every juncture in the process, each person we had contact with made us feel like our needs were most important to them and treated us in a professional and yet very friendly manner. We did look at other solar companies before going with the locally owned Ecohouse and did not come away feeling as good. Thus, we will always recommend Ecohouse over any others. We are pleased and excited to be a customer of Ecohouse and to have a solar powered house.
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John & Diane, over 1 month
We are VERY pleased with our recent installation of solar panels on our house by Ecohouse. Mike Hopper, the project manager, and everyone else at Ecohouse made it easy for us to go solar and to feel really good about our decision. At every juncture in the process, each person we had contact with made us feel like our needs were most important to them and treated us in a professional and yet very friendly manner. We did look at other solar companies before going with the locally owned Ecohouse and did not come away feeling as good. Thus, we will always recommend Ecohouse over any others. We are pleased and excited to be a customer of Ecohouse and to have a solar powered house.
4.46 14 Reviews
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.
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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.
4.44 58 Reviews
Omar, 1 week ago
Solar SME designed and installed my solar system in 2018. They provided incredible service and unbelievable value. Unfortunately after three years my SolarEdge inverter stopped working… this was the moment of truth where we would see whether the lofty warranties were worth the paper they were printed on… I have to applaud Basem Yani for his exemplary service. Within 24 hours of the inverter failing Solar SME had filed a claim with SolarEdge and received an RMA! And within two weeks the replacement inverter had arrived at my house. Basem was in touch with Frank (technician) who had a team member at my house within a few hours of the inverter arriving. My mind is blown —I can imagine a company doing what’s right, efficiently and effectively, when I am about to pay them thousands of dollars— however, I am in awe when a company stands behind their product years later. Basem’s white glove support was the embodiment of my top-notch SolarSME experience. This company did a great job, and I really appreciate how professionally run Technical Support/Compliance is.
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Omar, 1 week ago
Solar SME designed and installed my solar system in 2018. They provided incredible service and unbelievable value. Unfortunately after three years my SolarEdge inverter stopped working… this was the moment of truth where we would see whether the lofty warranties were worth the paper they were printed on… I have to applaud Basem Yani for his exemplary service. Within 24 hours of the inverter failing Solar SME had filed a claim with SolarEdge and received an RMA! And within two weeks the replacement inverter had arrived at my house. Basem was in touch with Frank (technician) who had a team member at my house within a few hours of the inverter arriving. My mind is blown —I can imagine a company doing what’s right, efficiently and effectively, when I am about to pay them thousands of dollars— however, I am in awe when a company stands behind their product years later. Basem’s white glove support was the embodiment of my top-notch SolarSME experience. This company did a great job, and I really appreciate how professionally run Technical Support/Compliance is.
4.44 31 Reviews
Wadsworth 2021, over 1 month
Cody, Paul and their team were great to work with. We had 1 panel fail shortly after install but it was replaced in a timely manner. I'm surprised at the power it generates on cloudy days. Can't wait to see the output and savings after 1 entire year. We check the App frequently to see how things are going with the system. I was able to identify a reoccurring power pattern and resolved the reason for the periodic spikes in usage that the electric bill doesn't show. I waited to do this review until I had some time and experience with the product and people. I highly recommend YellowLite.
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Wadsworth 2021, over 1 month
Cody, Paul and their team were great to work with. We had 1 panel fail shortly after install but it was replaced in a timely manner. I'm surprised at the power it generates on cloudy days. Can't wait to see the output and savings after 1 entire year. We check the App frequently to see how things are going with the system. I was able to identify a reoccurring power pattern and resolved the reason for the periodic spikes in usage that the electric bill doesn't show. I waited to do this review until I had some time and experience with the product and people. I highly recommend YellowLite.
4.38 18 Reviews
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!
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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
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.
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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
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.
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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.