Best 3 Solar Companies in Mansfield, OH

With Mansfield's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's a great area for families and businesses looking to harness the extra sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $740 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional technician can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. In this article, we'll show you Mansfield's best solar installers and offer tips for your company choice, so you can find the perfect one for your residence.

Ranking Methodology

We reviewed dozens of Mansfield solar installers, using the following criteria to select the top-notch:

• Panel quality and brand offerings: The top solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• 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 improve its performance.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Mansfield solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Experience and professional licensure: Each installer on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Mansfield community for over 15 years.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar providers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers multiple perks. Let's look at a few of them.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Embracing solar is a surefire way to reduce your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have reliable energy during storms and grid outages.
• Lower utility costs: Generating some or all of your own energy will save you money on your electric bills long-term. Plus, some states offer net metering programs that enable you to sell your extra energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Mansfield Homeowners?

Ohio agencies and electric companies offer a variety of solar incentives to help reduce your solar system costs. Here is a breakdown of applicable solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Mansfield

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and cost-efficient solar array. Consider all of these factors in your contractor 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. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most respected are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, backed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Mansfield

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 produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. 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.

If you want to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your system more productive and user-friendly. Not all solar contractors offer these add-ons, so look for a provider that sells them if it's essential for you.

Generally speaking, it will cost about $17,050 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Mansfield. This table lists more specific pricing information for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Mansfield

There are various ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include cash payments, leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and loans. Though it involves 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 or home loan, 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 let you use your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, much like an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and do not provide you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. We recommend working with a provider that offers multiple financing options. Ask each consultant about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your spending limits.

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

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy devices until the year 2032. Local and state governments and utility companies might also offer discounts, rebates, and dedicated financing plans that could save you more.

Sources

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