Best 5 Solar Companies in Boardman, OH

Boardman homeowners are committed to preserving its natural resources and embracing sustainability. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the top solar installers for their homes. Solar experts take a distinctively educational approach, helping homeowners understand the underlying technology and tune it to their needs. On this page, we'll showcase Boardman's top solar companies and give expert advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

Our team used the following criteria to determine the best Boardman solar companies.

• Customer feedback and reviews: Most Boardman solar installers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Panel brands and quality: The leading solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Professional licensure and experience: Each company on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Boardman community for more than a decade.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and maximize its performance.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar companies should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy provides multiple advantages. Let's look at a few of them.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using solar is a surefire way to lower your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy to power your home, lowering your monthly electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant amount of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with battery backups and storage systems function through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the power grid for your safety and well-being.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Boardman Homeowners?

Governments and utility companies often reward homeowners for going solar. Here are some of the tax credits, rebates, or other programs you could qualify for.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Boardman

Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and valuable solar array. Consider all of these aspects in your service provider search.

Licensing and Training

Ohio may require a solar installer to hold a state contractors' license, but only for commercial work. For home solar panel installations, cities can establish their own licensing or regulatory requirements. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar industry's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Boardman

The type of solar panels you choose determines how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and give you the best performance but cost more upfront. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.

You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can boost your solar system's performance. Not every solar contractor provides these additional features, so look for a company that installs them if it's crucial for you.

A majority of Boardman homeowners choose solar systems sized for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $17,050 to set up, considering both parts and installation. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Boardman

Choosing the correct financing solution will affect your overall solar system cost and expected savings. Common payment options include power purchase agreements, leases, loans, and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Similar to a home or auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in specific circumstances. Ask each company you're evaluating about the financing options it offers. A team member can help you determine the optimal option for your financial situation.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Boardman.

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new home solar systems purchased through 2032. Further incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy