See how much it will cost to install solar panels for your home in Ohio
Our estimates used by
Solar power in Ohio
Last fact-checked on January 19, 2023, by Catherine Lane
Going solar in Ohio is a great investment for your home. State law requires utilities in the state to offer full retail net metering to their customers. Ohio also has a renewable portfolio standard with a solar carve out, which requires utilities to obtain 12.5% of electricity sold to be derived from renewable energy sources by 2027.
Net metering, combined with the 26% federal tax credit, makes going solar an excellent choice for homeowners in Ohio.
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Ohio
Ohio solar power facts
$2.73 watt
Average cost: 5kW solar power system
?7 Years 4 Months
Average payback time
$58,041
Average lifetime savings
?6¢ kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
32¢ kWh
If you don't get solar
?9,890 kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 8.79kW system
This 8.79kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Ohio is $150, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
3
Solar companies in Ohio that provide pricing through the Solar-Estimate marketplace.
How much can solar panels save you in Ohio
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Ohio
| System Size | Cash purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,027 | $6,509 |
| 4kw | $7,840 | $8,467 |
| 5kw | $9,555 | $10,319 |
| 6kw | $11,214 | $12,111 |
| 7kw | $12,740 | $13,759 |
| 8kw | $14,168 | $15,301 |
| 9kw | $15,561 | $16,806 |
| 10kw | $16,800 | $18,144 |
How much do solar panels cost in Ohio?
$2.73 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$4.01 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$0.0¢ /kWh
Lease/PPA
Ave 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in Ohio?
The advantage of installing solar in Ohio is the state-mandated net metering requirement. Utilities must offer kilowatt hour (kWh) credits to households whose solar systems generate excess energy. Ohio also has a solar renewable energy credit (SREC) program; however, the incentive amount for each SREC is low.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels in Ohio is that there is little in the way of state and utility-based incentives. Ohio also lacks abundant sunlight, as compared to other states. This means a solar system in Ohio will produce less than a system in a sunnier state, like Arizona.
Best solar companies in Ohio
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Ohio
How much electricity will solar panels produce in Ohio
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Columbus area solar panels installed on a south-facing 30-degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,150kWh
per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits and other solar incentives are available in Ohio?
Ohio renewable portfolio standard
In 2008, Ohio legislators passed the alternative energy portfolio standard. Through this standard, utilities are required to obtain 12.5% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2027. Of that 12.5%, 0.5% must come from solar. In order for utilities to meet this standard, they must obtain SRECs.
When the SREC program first began, SRECs could be sold for $400 each. However, because the solar carve out is small, utilities are approaching their solar carve out goal, and the SREC market is now saturated, making current SRECs in Ohio worth about $20 each.
Net metering in Ohio
Solar, by its nature, generates the most power during the middle of the day when most people are at work or school and little power is being used in the home. The net metering policy in Ohio mandates that for every surplus kWh generated by solar (like the excess energy your system creates during the day) utilities must provide a credit that will be applied to future bills to offset costs.
Tax exemptions
Solar energy equipment purchased in Ohio is exempt from the state’s sales and use tax. If a solar system costs $15,000, the amount you would have to pay in sales tax would be $862.50. Thanks to the sales tax exemption, you don’t have to spend the additional nearly $1,000.
In Cincinnati and Cleveland, if a resident installs a solar system on their property, 100% of the assessed value of the system will be excluded from their property taxes for 10 years. Unfortunately, there is no statewide property tax exemption for renewable energy systems, so it is only available in Cincinnati and Cleveland.
Ohio Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Ohio, we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in Ohio using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
- Answers the question of how many solar panels do I need?
- How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in Ohio
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Ohio or Columbus ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this Ohio solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Going solar in Ohio
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Ohio can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| Energy Conversion and Thermal Efficiency Sales Tax Exemption | State | Sales Tax Incentive |
| Ohio Solar Renewable Energy Credits | State | Solar Renewable Energy Credits |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives is the solar installers who specialize in your area.
