Best 5 Solar Companies in Youngstown, OH

Youngstown homeowners are privileged to live in plentiful sunlight, both to appreciate and harness as energy. Many are working with top solar companies to get panels on their roofs. With all the options to choose from in this concrete jungle, you might feel burnt out searching for a good company. Discover Youngstown's top-rated solar companies and learn vital decision-making advice on this page.

Ranking Methodology

Our team used the following criteria to assess the best Youngstown solar companies.

• Certifications and licenses: Each company on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Youngstown community for more than a decade.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should utilize their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The premier solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Youngstown solar contractors have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar providers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy provides multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Adopting solar is a surefire way to decrease your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Lowered energy bills: You can dodge the expensive cost of grid-tied power by creating some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states offer net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to credit part of your bill.
• Better energy independence: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have dependable energy during grid outages and storms.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Youngstown Homeowners?

Governments and power companies often incentivize homeowners for adopting solar. Here are some of the tax credits, rebates, or other programs you could qualify for.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Youngstown

The cost and effectiveness of solar panels often hinge on the provider that mounted them. Here are some crucial criteria to remember while shopping for a solar company.

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

Cost of Solar Panels in Youngstown

Your solar panels' type will impact how much power you can generate. 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 have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

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

You can expect to pay about $17,050 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Youngstown. Use the table in this section to get an idea of what amount Youngstown solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Youngstown

There are numerous ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs), leases, and loans. Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Similar to an auto or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases let you rent your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, similar to 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. Ask each provider you're evaluating about the payment options it offers. A team member 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 Youngstown.

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, local governments and utilities may have their own rebates and financing plans that could reduce your total cost even more.

Sources

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