5 Best Solar Companies in Cleveland, OH (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Cleveland based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Cleveland, OH
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Cleveland homeowner saves $1,279/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Cleveland
When deciding on the best solar installers, Cleveland homeowners have more providers to choose from than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we’re here to make switching to solar power less confusing. Luckily, Cleveland residents have many of the best solar companies in the country, providing amazing value for generating renewable energy.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary a lot based on your home’s framework and your overall energy usage.If you’re ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the best Cleveland solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Cleveland
YellowLite
Reliable Customer Support- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Skilled Repairs- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Better Together Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Wind Turbines of Ohio, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
Solar Connection
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
The Lighthouse Installation LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Cleveland
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Cleveland based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Cleveland
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Ohio solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Cleveland
Even though solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, it’s necessary to know the upfront costs.A few important factors that affect how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much it could save you over time include:
- Your income and budget: This shapes what type of solar panels you can get.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your utility bills, which can generate an average of $15,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Cleveland doesn’t get a lot of average daily sunlight, your solar system may not be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
- How much power your household consumes: Homes that consume a lot of energy each month may require more solar panels and, consequently, be more expensive, but will also benefit more over time.
Even though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, including the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your local electricity rates.
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If you're interested in finding out what your impact could be if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Cleveland, OH.
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Solar Incentives in Cleveland
There are several reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them consists of some government incentives that can save you money.State and city solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in Cleveland.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Cleveland
Installing solar panels can have a positive impact on the environment.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Cleveland, though. An important thing to keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time driving to work, your footprint may be larger, so adopting solar power for your home can help offset that.When you go solar, your carbon footprint can be lowered by about 80 pounds every year. The benefits of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with making the switch to solar.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Cleveland, OH Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best in Cleveland?
In Cleveland, YellowLite is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.70 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your roof.
What are a few of the main pros and cons of adopting solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it’s good for the environment, and it gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for many homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. In terms of efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by the layout of your roof, your budget and how much energy generation you want.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.