Best 3 Solar Companies in Warren, OH

With Warren's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an ideal area for homeowners and businesses aiming to harness the additional sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar installers. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $670 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional installation team can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Warren's best solar companies and learn crucial decision-making strategies on this page.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has researched dozens of solar installers near Warren, keeping in mind the following criteria:

• Panel brands and quality: The leading solar companies keep up with new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Certifications and licenses: Each provider on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Warren community for a decade or longer.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Warren solar companies have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to look after your system and maximize its performance.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors 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 satisfaction.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home powered through emergencies and blackouts, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
• Smaller power bills: Producing some or all of your own power will cut power costs long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that allow you to sell your unused energy back to the grid, generating extra credits toward your energy bill.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Embracing solar is a surefire way to minimize your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Warren Homeowners?

Ohio homeowners who go solar could qualify for rebates, tax credits, reimbursements and special financing. Here are just a few of the local incentive offerings.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Warren

The more comprehensive your provider search is, the better your solar panels will ultimately operate. 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 companies can also earn accreditations from standards organizations and trade groups. The top ones in the industry come from the NABCEP. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Warren

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'd like to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By choosing the right components, you can make your panel array more effective and user-friendly. Not every solar contractor provides these add-ons, so look for a company that installs them if it's a priority for you.

If you're a resident of Warren and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $17,050 for materials and labor. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Warren

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, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and leases. We suggest paying with cash or using a solar loan for the highest 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 solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in monthly installments while still benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We suggest working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each representative about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your spending limits.

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

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Local governments 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