Solar panel systems are more popular than ever. With solar incentives and technological advancements, installing solar panels is easy. Homeowners can easily turn their rooftop into a miniature utility company to generate clean energy for years to come.  

If you’ve met a neighbor with a solar energy system, you might have asked are solar panels worth it in Ohio? 

Solar power has changed over the past couple of years, and it may be more convenient than ever for homeowners to upgrade their roof. Let’s get into the minutiae of solar energy production to discuss if it makes sense to add solar to power your home. 

Facts About Solar Panels in Ohio 

The first thing is how much sun do you need for your solar panels?  

The more the better but adding solar in Ohio isn’t a deal breaker during those off months.  

Peak sunshine for solar happens in April- July. August through October have great production as well. Homeowners will notice a spike in solar production around the Vernal Equinox through Summer Solstice. It’s during this time that homeowners will feel the energy savings through lower utility bills. 

Solar production trails off during the fall and winter. While Ohio is typically gray and cloudy, there will be solar production. The upside is that homeowners aren’t running their air conditioning during the winter months. 

Everything You Need to Know About Ohio Net Metering 

Ohio provides net metering and it’s important to understand how it works and how it impacts the cost of solar panels. Net metering is where any excess solar energy is generated is sent back to the electrical grid and the electric company will give you credit for that energy. 

That energy credit will be used for those days and times when you need electricity. If your solar panel system generates less energy than you use, you will have to pay the electric company for what you’ve used. 

Ohio homeowners do have the opportunity to add solar battery systems to their homes. Instead of selling energy back to the electric company, homeowners can bank their electricity in solar batteries. Instead of using solar credits from the electric company, homeowners will pull energy that is stored within their battery system.  

Do Solar Panels Need Direct Sunlight? 

Yes, solar panels work best under direct sunlight. The more direct sunlight the better. Ohio does get a fair amount of sunlight throughout the year. 

  • Columbus, OH averages 57% sunny days throughout the year 

  • Cincinnati, OH averages 57% sunny days throughout the year 

  • Cleveland, OH averages 50% sunny days throughout the year 

During those clear days, homeowners can expect their solar panels to generate energy. Even during cloudy days, solar will produce at an, albeit lower rate.  

Will Solar Panels Work During the Ohio Winter? 

Ohio can be gray during the winter months, and you can expect lower solar production during the late fall and winter months. While Ohio doesn’t have year-round sunshine like Arizona or Florida, cloudy days will produce some low levels of solar electricity, but you can expect to have to pay some to the electric company during the non-peak season.  

Advantages of Solar Panels 

There are many benefits of rooftop solar. While there are several immediate benefits that homeowners can expect, there are several long-term benefits to keep in mind.  

  • Saving Money on Energy Consumption- Energy prices are not getting cheaper. As long as the sun is shining, you can offset energy consumption for your home.  

  • Renewable Energy Source- The sun comes up every day and homeowners can rely on some level of solar energy generation (even on cloudy days). 

  • Reduces Fossil Fuel Usage- While solar often won’t provide 100% production, it can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and can lower your electric bills.  

  • Financed Solar Panels Price Won’t Rise- In the case of solar loans, homeowners will have a monthly solar payment that may not increase over the course of the loan. Electric rates, however, have increased year over year. In some cases, it’s increased as much as 28% year over year. 

  • Panels Last up to 25 Years- Twenty-five years is a long time to generate clean energy. Multiply a year's savings by 25 versus the cost of installation to determine when your solar will pay for itself.  

  • Solar Energy Tax Credit- If you own your solar panels and have them installed from 2022-2032, homeowners may qualify for Solar Energy Tax Credit. This credit will provide up to 30% credit for your solar system. Refer to a tax professional for more details to ensure that you qualify.  

Rooftop Solar Options 

Your roof has several solar options. As one of the leading roofing and solar companies in Ohio, we’re proud to provide solar solutions for every type of home.  

Replacing Roof Shingles with Solar Shingles- With the innovative GAF Solar Shingle, we can replace your roof with solar panels. These are a great product to use when you need a total roof replacement. The solar shingles dually act as a solar panel and a roofing shingle. The solar shingles mount directly to your roof decking and have a low profile.   

Rack Mount Solar Panels Installation- Rack mounted systems are perfect for the homeowners seeking to improve energy efficiency and have a roof in great condition. Rack mounted systems require a sturdy roof structure to attach the racks.  

Ground Mount Solar Panels- Ground mount panels take up yard space but are a great option if there is heavy tree cover near your home, or you do not have a south facing roof. Much like all other solar panels, direct sunlight should be a priority for your ground mount systems.  

Do Solar Panels Increase Property Value in Ohio? 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory completed a study about home values and solar panels. They found that your home's value increases by $20 for every $1 saved using solar panels. If you save $500 a year on your electricity, your home value will increase by $10,000. 

But do people buy homes with solar panels? 

Absolutely, homes with existing solar panels sell 20% faster than homes without. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend adding solar to your home if you are selling it soon, but it is nice to know that you add solar panels without worry of negatively impacting your Ohio home’s value.  

Should You Add Solar Panels to Your Ohio Home? 

When weighing out the pros and cons of solar, you may find that solar can be expensive. However, with tax rebates, increased home value, financing, and reducing energy bills, adding solar panels to your Ohio home makes sense and easier than ever. Feazel can outfit new and old roofs with solar panels. Contact our team of solar experts today to schedule a free consultation.