Best 3 Solar Companies in Parma, OH

Parma homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to generate energy and heat their water. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $790 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional technician can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Parma's best solar companies and learn vital decision-making strategies on this page.

Ranking Methodology

Our team focuses on the following criteria to determine the best Parma solar companies.

• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.
• Panel brands and quality: The top solar companies keep up with new technology, providing equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar companies should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
• Feedback and reviews from customers: Most Parma solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Certifications and licenses: Each contractor on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Parma community for a decade or longer.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have dependable energy during grid outages and storms.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power means you're less dependent on fossil fuels, which emit harmful greenhouse gasses.
• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, reducing your periodic electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant number 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 Parma Homeowners?

Ohio agencies and electric companies offer numerous solar incentives to help offset your solar system costs. Here's a breakdown of available solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Parma

The more informed your company investigation is, the better your solar panels will ultimately work. Here are some key items to bear in mind while shopping for a solar installer.

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. Solar installers can also obtain accreditations from standards organizations and trade groups. The most prestigious ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Parma

The style of solar panels you purchase determines how much electricity you can generate. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but they're worth it if you want a traditional panel style without the high cost. Thin-film panels aren't recommended for large residential installations, but they are ideal for small projects like converting RVs and sheds.

You can also add electric car (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can maximize your solar system's efficiency. Not every solar company offers these add-ons, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's important for you.

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

Financing Solar Energy in Parma

There are a plethora of ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include loans, cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and leases. We advise paying with cash or securing a solar loan for the best return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also have full ownership of your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to cut your total costs. Solar loans are another good option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll spend more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in certain circumstances. Ask each company you're vetting about the payment plans it offers. A salesperson 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 Parma.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on the full cost of the solar system, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own incentives, financing programs, and rebates that could save you more money.

Sources

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