Best 3 Solar Companies in North Ridgeville, OH

North Ridgeville homeowners are intentional about preserving its natural resources and embracing sustainability. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the top solar companies for their homes. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $760 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional company can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover North Ridgeville's top-rated solar companies and learn crucial decision-making tips on this page.

Ranking Methodology

We reviewed a multitude of North Ridgeville solar providers, using the following criteria to select the finest:

• Service offerings and warranties: Solar companies should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and maximize its performance.
• Certifications and licenses: Each company 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 North Ridgeville community for more than a decade.
• Panel brands and quality: The top solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most North Ridgeville solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Reduced carbon footprint: Embracing solar is a surefire way to minimize your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during grid outages and storms.
• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, decreasing your periodic electricity costs. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to North Ridgeville Homeowners?

Ohio's public agencies and power companies offer multiple solar incentives to help cut your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in North Ridgeville

The price and efficiency of solar panels often hinge on the solar company that installed them. Make your choice based on the following crucial aspects.

Licensing and Training

Ohio may require a solar company 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 certifications. Two of the most prestigious are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, awarded 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 North Ridgeville

Your photovoltaic panels' type will impact how much power you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

If you need to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors offer these additional features, so look for a provider that installs them if it's crucial for you.

If you're a resident of North Ridgeville and are looking into a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could plan to spend about $17,050 for materials and labor. See more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in North Ridgeville

There are various ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include cash payments, loans, leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most affordable choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a home or auto loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) allows you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and cannot use solar incentives. We suggest working with a company that offers multiple financing options. Ask each representative about what's available, and get more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your financial plan.

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

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy devices until the year 2032. City and state officials and utility companies might also offer rebates, discounts, and unique financing solutions 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