Hi there! My name‘s Alex, I‘ve been analyzing home solar installations for over 5 years. Today I‘ll cut through the noise on Ohio‘s solar incentives and top companies to show exactly how you can save big.
See, most folks don‘t realize just effective solar has become right here in the Buckeye State thanks to rising electric rates plus rebates slashing system costs by thousands. I‘ll provide the latest payback period data and even estimate your lifetime electricity savings.
Stick with me to:
- Learn from my independent research on the economics
- Compare Ohio‘s top 6 solar installers side-by-side
- Maximize savings via optimal system sizing and sweeteners/incentives
Let‘s dive in!
Solar Sentiment Rising Across Ohio
You‘re not alone looking into solar – over 3,000 Ohio homes went solar just last year as word spreads on the savings potential. And no wonder with electric rates jumping 35% in the last decade!
But even with Ohio getting 200+ sunny days annually, some lingering doubts remain about whether solar pans out here. I‘m here to tell you the ROI is now absolutely worth it.
In fact current payback estimates without incentives sit at just 11 years to recoup your initial investment. Then the free sunlight keeps paying you back for 20-30 more years!
And that analysis is conservative…
Slash Payback Period to Just 6 Years
…because when accounting for credits and rebates, payback drops dramatically to only 6 years for the average home.
Run the numbers yourself:
- Federal Tax Credit: 30% off solar installation costs
- Energy Conservation Program: 3% discount on financing
- Utility credits from net metering save $1,100+ yearly
- Property tax exemption saves you hundreds more
It all adds up to payback acceleration of nearly 50% faster. And don‘t forget the 25+ years of electricity cost savings beyond paying off your panels.
Your total lifetime savings range from $30,000-$40,000 depending on system size, electric rates and financing.
Now are you starting to see why solar is surging in the state?
I‘ll outline the incentives later plus projected savings. First let‘s cover the cream of the crop when it comes to Ohio solar companies. I hand-picked my top 6 based on experience, pricing, warranties and service reputation.
Blue Raven Solar: Flexible Financing Made Easy
Founded in 2014, Blue Raven Solar entered Ohio more recently but continues expanding nationwide. What‘s unique is their below-market pricing thanks to efficient installation procedures. This cost advantage makes their financing offerings possible…
I really like their BluePower+ loan which requires no money down while locking in 1.99% fixed interest over 20 years. Monthly payments get structured to be less than your bill savings so you start saving immediately!
18 months 0% interest with SmartStart is another great introductory financing choice.
The one drawback is Blue Raven solely focuses on panel installation. So if you‘re looking for batteries, EV chargers, or maintenance down the road, you‘ll need to utilize another provider.
But when it comes to fast turnaround plus flexible financing for getting cost-effective panels on your roof, Blue Raven delivers. No wonder they‘ve expanded operations into over 20 states and rack up rave homeowner reviews.
SunPower: Premium Products from Solar‘s Legacy Leader
With over 30 years pioneering solar, SunPower has earned their sterling reputation. As a vertically integrated manufacturer, SunPower is unique in producing its own high-efficiency panels.
Made at their Oregon and Texas factories, SunPower panels deliver 60% more energy yearly than conventional panels.
And the company backs their premium products with a 25-year parts coverage. Installation craftsmanship also gets a 25-year warranty.
Now SunPower utilizes independent contractors for Ohio-area project installation and servicing. But don‘t worry. SunPower technicians undergo strict supervision and regular inspection visits to meet corporate standards.
So you get the best of both worlds – the scale and oversight of a solar giant combined with the personal touch of local area contractors.
Beyond industry-leading gear, SunPower also provides batteries and EV chargers. So they truly are a one-stop-shop able to take you entirely off-grid if desired.
For peace of mind in maximum solar savings over the long run, SunPower‘s bankable products deliver. No wonder their systems frequently rank best-in-class for return on investment.
Ohio Power Solutions: Local Experts Fully In-State
Tired of giant corporations headquartered who-knows-where? Then meet Ohio Power Solutions. As lifelong Ohio residents, founders Dave and Sandy understand firsthand the incentive programs and climate impacting Buckeye State solar customers.
With both office and installation staff entirely Ohio-based, OPS keeps everything right in the community.
And their 15-year workmanship warranty provides homeowner assurance well beyond the 10 years typical of most installers. Equipment parts like panels and inverters are also guaranteed to produce optimally for 25+ years.
As a smaller family-owned operation, OPS specializes in seamless personalized service. So if you value quality craftsmanship plus supporting local business, they deliver on both fronts.
YellowLite Solar: Custom Tailored Solar Savings Since 2009
With over a decade of solar experience under their belt, locally-owned YellowLite Solar Energy makes this list for good reason. Beyond staying power, I‘m also impressed by their specializations…
- Custom solar system design: Their free home evaluation and savings estimate finds your optimal system size and equipment mix to maximize production and value
- Battery integration: While batteries don‘t make sense for all homeowners yet, advances like enphase Ensemble technology available through YellowLite provide affordable battery-backed solar solutions
- Electric vehicle charging: Install a solar-powered charger to drive on sunlight for just 2-3¢ per mile!
YellowLite only utilizes fully NABCEP-certified installation technicians as well. So you know you‘re getting fully qualified crews.
Oh, and your system components come with at least 25 years manufacturer equipment warranties. On the installation side, YellowLite themselves provides an extra 10 year workmanship guarantee for extra homeowner protection.
Paradise Energy Solutions: 5-Star Service Putting You First
Swimming through solar options making sense of it all is rough. Thankfully, Paradise Energy Solutions lightens the load with friendly staff guiding you fully through the transition to home solar power.
In fact, Paradise earns rave homeowner reviews including near-perfect scores across Google, SolarReviews, and more. Their transparent process, regular communication, and house calls to fine tune systems keeps customers thrilled even years later.
And as a local business since 2001, Paradise focuses exclusively on impeccable Ohio solar energy installations. This narrow scope ensures their expertise stays sharp.
Now Paradise truly stands out providing 30-year equipment warranties – 5 years longer coverage than the industry standard. Their 10-year workmanship guarantee also matches others on this list.
So between best-in-class customer service, nearly 20 years experience, and solar equipment protection exceeding competitors, Paradise makes going solar a breeze while delivering savings peace of mind.
ADT Solar: Backed by America’s #1 Security Provider
ADT stands atop the home security provider market serving over 7 million Americans. Now they leverage this expertise protecting families to provide reliable home solar and backup power through ADT Solar.
Established in 2011 and completing 55,000+ installs since, ADT Solar expands nationwide while maintaining rigorous local standards. Customers can expect quality products backed by 25-year equipment and workmanship warranties — both at the high end for the solar industry.
And you‘ll sleep even easier through power outages and natural disasters knowing ADT also offers solar battery solutions. Their Tesla Powerwall home battery integrations utilize high-capacity lithium ion battery cells made right here in the USA.
With almost a decade refining solar installations already under their belt, ADT Solar delivers premium products fitting seamlessly into their wider smart home ecosystem.
Finding the Right Ohio Solar Company FOR YOU
Hopefully you now better understand why NOW‘s the time for Ohio homeowners to explore solar. And how making the move sooner than later maximizes savings in the long run.
But selecting your rooftop solar provider goes beyond just payback estimates and annual bill reduction projections.
You also need assurance they‘ll provide reliable service for the full lifespan of your equipment. And have financing solutions fitting your budget for zero headaches.
My top 6 Ohio solar installers stack up as industry leaders on warranties plus quality and service reputation.
Where they differ comes down to unique niches around:
- Equipment – premium panels and battery offerings
- Services – custom system sizing, EV charging
- Financing – $0 down loans, intro rates
- Experience – local roots, owner-operators
So think through what you value most. Do you want top-tier gear built to last but pay more upfront? Install seamlessly without hassling applying for solar loans? Or support Ohio-based small business?
Prioritizing these preferences makes your decision easy on which solar provider best matches your needs and budget.
Ready to Run the Numbers for Yourself?
Still have some questions on how much runninng your home on sunshine would cost per month? Or what size system properly fits your roof and energy demand?
No worries! Reach out for a free consultation at no obligation. Their solar advisors will assess conditions then provide a detailed analysis showing:
- System size & production estimates
- Expected performance by month & annually
- Full financial breakdown with/without incentives
Armed with this solar blueprint revealing true out-of-pocket costs after sweeteners, you can make the solar decision right for YOU based on actual data.
And I‘m always available to decode any jargon or explain the finer points around system design considerations, component warranties, net metering policies etc.
So don‘t wait any longer! Contact a top Ohio solar provider today to start your journey toward energy freedom and keeping hard-earned money in your wallet.
All my best,
Alex
Solar Savings Expert
