OHIO
Solar in Ohio
Ohio is on the verge of a solar revolution. With a total investment of $1.3 billion in solar, the state shows a solid commitment in its shift to clean energy.* Approximately 83% of the homes and buildings in Ohio are viable for solar panels, and with incentives in place, homeowners have several good reasons to go green.*
Solar potential in Ohio?
Ohio has a great potential for solar energy. The state receives an average of 4.7 hours of sunlight per day, which is above the national average of 3.8 hours of sunlight per day. This means that Ohio has a good potential for solar energy generation.
Ohio has been impressive in its push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Currently, the state has solar panel projects producing around 115 MW in both residential and commercial applications. However, the projects currently under construction foresee a potential tripling of that amount to 350 MW in the near future.*
Ohio is one state that recognizes a bright future in solar energy!
Cost of solar in Ohio?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:
The direction that your roof faces
The quality of your solar panels and other equipment
The availability and labor rates of expert solar system installation
The amount of square footage on your roof
The energy demands of your household
In Ohio, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,100 to $14,050, or in other words from $2.62 to $2.81 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
Luckily, homeowners can enjoy savings toward the overall expense of solar system installation thanks to the ECO-LINK program, which reduces interest rates on loans used for this purpose.*
Advantages?
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy. They do not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels can also help to make Ohio a more sustainable state.
State incentives: Ohio offers a number of incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, and grants.
Living an eco-conscious lifestyle is easier than ever in Ohio—and upgrading your property with a solar panel system fits the bill perfectly. To that end, the state of Ohio has committed to producing 12.5% of its energy from renewable sources by issuing Solar Renewable Energy Certificates for each megawatt your panels generate.*
Ohio also has Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs to help homeowners manage the upfront costs associated with solar panel installation.*
In addition to these benefits, Ohio allows net metering, even for customers who want to shop around for a new power provider.*
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
Ohio state policices?
Net metering: Ohio has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to sell excess solar power back to the grid at the retail rate. This means that for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that you generate and send back to the grid, you will receive a credit on your electricity bill.
Property tax exemption: Ohio exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the increased value of their home that is due to solar panels. This means that if you install solar panels and your home value increases by $10,000, you will not have to pay property taxes on that $10,000.
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): Ohio offers Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) to homeowners who generate solar power. SRECs are tradable certificates that represent 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar generation. Utilities are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators in order to meet their renewable energy goals. The price of SRECs varies depending on the market, but they can provide an additional source of income for homeowners who generate solar power.
Solar Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS): Ohio has a solar RPS that requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from solar power. The RPS is currently set at 8.5%, and it is scheduled to increase to 11.5% by 2026. This policy is expected to help drive demand for solar panels in Ohio.
Community solar: Ohio has a number of community solar programs that allow homeowners to participate in solar energy without having to install solar panels on their own homes. Community solar projects are typically located in central locations, such as at schools or community centers. Homeowners who participate in community solar programs receive credits on their electricity bills based on the amount of solar power generated by the project.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in Ohio? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Ohio, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!