Best 5 Solar Companies in Dayton, OH

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Dayton

The price and efficacy of solar panels often rely on the solar company that mounted them. Here are some crucial criteria to bear in mind while shopping for a solar provider.

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 a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar industry's most trusted trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Dayton

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels cost more than other options, but they generate the most power and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels provide a lower price point but produce less power. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

You can also add electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can improve your solar system's efficiency. Not every solar contractor includes these additional features, so look for a provider that sells them if it's essential for you.

A majority of Dayton homeowners select solar systems sized for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems run about $17,050 to install, considering both materials and labor. You can see more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Dayton

Choosing the ideal financing plan will impact your overall solar system cost and potential savings. Common payment options include loans, power purchase agreements, leases, and cash payments. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a car loan or mortgage, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for money-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend 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 provider you're evaluating about the financing options it offers. A staff member can help you determine the most suitable option for your budget.

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

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal solar tax credit on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. City and state governments and utilities might also offer their own incentives, financing programs, and rebates that could save you more money.