There’s no shortage of solar companies in Cleveland. So we figured, why not save you some time? We researched the local residential solar installers and read through hundreds of reviews.
These residential solar companies made the cut because they do good work consistently. They understand Cleveland’s solar scene, they’re responsive when issues pop up, and their customers tend to be happy. Worth a conversation if you’re serious about solar energy for residential homes.
Find the Best Solar Installers in Cleveland, Ohio
YellowLite review 1925 St. Clair Ave NE Suite #250 Cleveland, OH 44114
Better Together Solar review 3821 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
Better Together Solar is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. With read more…
Feazel review 12710 Corporate Dr, Parma, OH 44130, United States
Feazel is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 5 states. With a foundation read more…
Phoenix Roofing & Solar review 8180 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, OH 44141, USA
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Phoenix Roofing read more…
Phoenix Roofing & Solar review 511 Abbe Road North, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Phoenix Roofing read more…
Paradise Energy Solutions review 525 Belden Circle NE, Sugarcreek OH, 44681
Our Expert Choice badge goes to Paradise Energy Solutions, which concentrates on serving fewer than 8 states. With a foundation read more…
Paradise Energy Solutions review 525 Belden Cir, Sugarcreek OH, 44681
Our Expert Choice badge goes to Paradise Energy Solutions, which concentrates on serving fewer than 8 states. With a foundation read more…
GreenLancer review 500 Woodward Ave Suite 2125, Detroit, MI 48226
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, GreenLancer is read more…
Strawberry Solar review 4444 2nd Ave Detroit, MI 48201
Our Expert Choice badge goes to Strawberry Solar, which concentrates on serving fewer than 1 state. With a foundation dating read more…
TaylorMade Solutions LLC review 454 Crescent Boulevard Extension, Glenwillard, PA 15046, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, TaylorMade Solutions read more…
Stellar Solar Michigan review 26700 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak, 48067, MI, US
Stellar Solar is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 2 states. With a read more…
Stellar Solar Michigan review 26700 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak, 48067, MI, US
Stellar Solar is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 2 states. With a read more…
Spark Building Energy Solutions review 32401 W Eight Mile Rd, Livonia, 48152, MI, US
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Spark Building read more…
Elysium Solar Energy review 192 Railroad St, McDonald, PA 15057, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Elysium Solar read more…
Resnick Roofing and Contracting, LLC review 5320 William Flinn Hwy, Gibsonia, PA 15044, United States
Resnick Roofing and Contracting, LLC is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 read more…
Palmetto review 606 Parkway View Dr, Pittsburgh PA, 15205
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Palmetto is read more…
Allen Brothers Inc. review 2691, Leach Rd., Rochester, Minnesota 48309, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Allen Brothers read more…
Scalo Solar Solutions review 22 Rutgers Road Pittsburgh, PA 15205
Scalo Solar Solutions is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 2 states. With read more…
EIS Solar review 2121 Noblestown Rd, #222 Pittsburgh, PA 15205
Our Expert Choice badge goes to EIS Solar, which concentrates on serving fewer than 4 states. With a foundation dating read more…
Feazel review 7895 Walton Pkwy, New Albany, OH 43054, United States
Feazel is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 5 states. With a foundation read more…
How Much Can Residential Solar Panels Save You in Cleveland, Ohio?
There’s no simple answer to how much you’ll save with solar power for residential homes in Ohio – it really depends on your situation. Your utility company’s billing structure matters, as does the size of the residential solar power system your roof can handle and how much electricity your household uses. Most installers will try to cover all your energy needs, but your actual savings depend on your home’s unique setup.
Before incentives, expect to pay somewhere between $15,000 and $30,000 for a typical residential solar installation in Cleveland. The exact cost depends on your residential solar energy system size and energy requirements.
Want an estimate just for you? Fill out the form on our website, try a solar calculator, or consult with a couple of local residential solar installers for a personalized savings calculation.
Learn more about solar incentives and what makes Ohio unique for residential solar.
Solar Financing Explained for Residential Solar Systems
You’ve got several ways to pay for solar panels:
- Cash
- Solar loans from installers
- Personal loans
- Cash-out refinance or HELOC
- Solar leases or PPAs
Paying Cash: Cash gives you the best long-term savings and the lowest overall cost for your residential solar power system. But let’s be real – not everyone has $15,000 to $20,000 sitting in the bank. If you want to own your system but can’t pay up front, financing is your next option.
Getting a Loan: Personal loans, home equity lines, or installer-offered solar loans all work. Just watch out for the fine print – loans come with interest and fees. Many solar loans include dealer fees that can bump up your total residential solar installation cost by 20% or more (they offset this with lower interest rates). Smart move? Compare dealer fees and rates between different residential solar companies before signing anything.
Don’t skip this: ask for their cost per watt. That’s your real comparison tool when residential solar energy system sizes vary between installers.
Leasing or PPAs: Some businesses let you rent or buy power with no money down. It sounds great, doesn’t it? The catch is that you don’t own the panels, so you can’t get rebates or federal incentives. Also, the monthly payments to the solar company take money out of your savings.
Get detailed savings projections from installers before deciding. Even with financing costs, you’ll typically still pay less for electricity than you do now. Understanding all your options – including available federal and state programs – helps you make the smartest financial choice for your residential solar energy system.
Discover Your Solar Savings in 60 Seconds
Get instant estimates powered by Google Solar API – See your roof's energy potential, cost savings, and environmental impact
Solar Incentives in Ohio
State and Local Solar Incentives
Ohio has established several state and local incentives that can help lower the cost of solar panels:
Net Metering: If your panels produce more electricity than you use, the extra power goes into the grid, and you get credits on your account. Credit rates are different for each utility and are typically lower than retail rates—usually around 4-11 cents per kWh depending on your utility company—but net metering still helps cut your energy expenses and keep your bills steady on cloudy days. You can bank these credits indefinitely with most Ohio utilities.
Ohio's Qualified Energy Project Tax Exemption: You don't have to pay any personal property taxes on your solar system (up to 250 kilowatts). One less thing to worry about.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs): Ohio's green energy rules say that companies have to buy SRECs from people who own solar systems. For every 1,000 kWh your system makes, you get one SREC. The current worth of an SREC in Ohio is between $3 and $5, which is about $18 to $60 a year for a normal home system.
Local Tax Abatements: Cities like Cincinnati and Cleveland offer property tax abatement programs for home improvements, including solar installations. These programs can save you $100-$240 annually on property taxes by preventing tax increases from the added home value.
Financing Programs: The Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program gives solar projects low-interest loans—typically 3% below market rates—which makes it simpler to pay for the cost of a residential solar system. Loans are available with 5-year or 7-year repayment terms.
Power Rates in Ohio
Anyone who paid attention to their electric bill knows the pattern. Rates from 2021 through 2024 spiked from 12.8 cents to 16.1 cents per kilowatt-hour, a 26% increase in just three years. Current rates as of January 2026 range from 15¢ to 17.85¢ per kWh depending on your utility and location, with ongoing capacity cost increases pushing bills even higher. There's no reason to think that trajectory will flatten out anytime soon. This is actually one of the strongest arguments for residential solar installation: you're essentially locking in your energy costs for the next 25-30 years while everyone else keeps dealing with rate hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do We Rank Residential Solar Installers?
Picking a solar installer shouldn’t be a guessing game. We built our rating system to help homeowners make informed solar decisions and avoid common pitfalls in the industry.
Here’s how it works: 5-star system, plain and simple. Five stars means a company is legitimately excellent – the kind you’d recommend to your own family. One star? Run away. We wouldn’t touch them with a ten-foot pole, and neither should you. Our ratings pull from everywhere – EnergySage, SolarReviews, BBB, Google Reviews, Yelp, ConsumerAffairs, Trustpilot, the works. But we’re not just averaging star ratings like some algorithm. We read the actual reviews. Are they consistently delivering what they promise, or just occasionally getting lucky?
What Actually Matters When We Evaluate Residential Solar Companies?
- Years in business. Five minimum. Non-negotiable. If a company’s been around less than that, they haven’t weathered any real challenges yet. And think about it – solar panels last 25-30 years. You need an installer who’s built their business model around supporting customers long-term, not just showing up for installation day and disappearing.
- Local vs. national – and it’s not even close. Check the numbers yourself. Local residential solar installers consistently get better reviews than the big chains. Their reputation actually matters because word spreads fast in local communities. They know the permit process in Cleveland specifically. They understand your local utility company’s quirks and requirements.
- Hands-on experience. Residential solar energy companies that have hundreds of installations behind them move differently. They’ve seen every bizarre roof situation. They know exactly how to handle older homes with outdated electrical systems. First-time installers? They’re figuring it out as they go – on your roof, with your money.
- Who’s actually doing the work? Some companies use their own crews. Others outsource everything to whoever’s available. Guess which ones deliver better quality? When residential solar energy companies employ their own installation teams, those workers know they’re accountable. Something breaks later? You call the company, and they send the same team that did the original work. With subcontractors, you’re lucky if you can track down who actually touched your system.
- What people actually say. We check SolarReviews, BBB, Google, Yelp – anywhere real customers leave feedback. But star ratings alone don’t tell the whole story. How does a company handle a one-star review? Do they fix the problem or argue with the customer? Customer reviews show what really happens after you sign the contract.
- Licenses and certifications. Should be obvious, but apparently it’s not. Licensed, insured, NABCEP certified if possible (that’s the actual gold standard for residential solar panel installers, not marketing fluff). Companies cutting corners on basic credentials – what else are they skimping on?
- Equipment quality swings wildly. Good residential solar energy companies stock equipment from solid manufacturers – SunPower, LG, Panasonic, Canadian Solar, brands like that. Lower-tier installers? They push whatever vendor gave them the best wholesale price this quarter, regardless of quality. Ask them straight up: “What brands do you install and why those specifically?” Watch how they answer. That’ll tell you if they prioritize system performance or profit margins.
- Payment options. The best residential solar companies give you real choices – loans, leases, PPAs – and actually walk you through what makes sense for your situation. Huge red flag: companies that only offer one financing option. Usually, it means it’s structured to maximize their profit, not your savings.
- Warranties separate the pros from the amateurs. Look for 10-12 years on workmanship, minimum. Strong performance guarantees. Your residential solar power system costs serious money. It better have protection beyond the basic manufacturer’s warranty on the panels themselves.
Our Classification System: What the Tags Mean?
We label companies to save you research time:
- Expert Choice: Long-established companies with extensive workmanship warranties and in-house installation crews exclusively. The veterans with the strongest track records.
- Trusted Provider: Multi-state operations that still manage to deliver quality work. Good local reputation, positive customer feedback. They handle installations directly instead of outsourcing.
- Market Leader: Tons of verified reviews, customers are consistently happy. Proven track record of consistent, reliable service.
Stick with “Expert Choice,” “Trusted Provider,” or “Market Leader” tags. They earned those classifications through actual performance, not by paying for better placement. The difference matters more than you’d think.
What to Look for in a Residential Solar Company?
Shopping for solar energy for residential use? Here’s what separates good residential solar companies from ones you’ll regret hiring:
- Check credentials first. NABCEP certification is what you want to see – it’s the real deal in solar. Beyond that, make sure they’re licensed, bonded, and insured for your area. Using subcontractors? Those crews better have proper credentials, too, not just some guys with ladders.
- Experience isn’t optional. Five years minimum in the business. Don’t be someone’s practice run. Ask straight up: “How many residential solar energy systems have you installed?” A confident residential solar panel installer will tell you the number and walk you through their equipment choices without hesitation. They should explain how they’ll help you tap into available incentives – and if they can’t clearly explain their warranties, that’s a red flag.
- Communication tells you everything. Here’s a test: Ask specific questions. “Why do I need this many panels?” “Break down the costs based on my actual usage.” “What brands are you proposing and why?” “What’s your per-watt price?” Good residential solar installers answer directly. Sketchy ones dance around numbers or pressure you to sign fast. Trust your gut – if they’re dodgy with answers now, imagine dealing with them when something breaks.
- One more thing on communication: Ask about their subcontractors. Who’s actually doing the work? How are they supervised? You deserve real answers.
- Your roof comes first. Any residential solar panel installer worth their salt will thoroughly inspect your roof before talking panels. They should tell you if repairs are needed upfront – not after they’ve torn into your shingles. Who pays if there’s damage during installation? Get that in writing. And yeah, talk about how it’ll look. Panel placement, where vents end up, all that matters when you’re staring at it every day.
- Do your homework on their reputation. Reviews matter, but dig deeper. Ask for references from recent customers. Even better – if you know anyone who’s gone solar, ask them who they used. Personal recommendations beat online reviews every time because people are brutally honest with friends.
- Always get multiple quotes. Always. Prices swing wildly between residential solar companies – sometimes by thousands. Here’s the key: calculate the cost per watt for each proposal. That’s your apples-to-apples comparison, even if residential solar energy system sizes differ slightly. Get three quotes minimum. You’ll quickly learn what’s fair pricing and what’s someone trying to fleece you.
Should You Choose a Local Solar Installer or a Big National Company?
Go local. It makes a difference.
Small local residential solar companies consistently get better reviews than big national operations. The reason is simple: solar energy for residential use is inherently a local business. Providing good customer service across multiple states from a central office? Nearly impossible.
Local residential solar energy companies have skin in the game. They know your area’s incentives and regulations inside and out. They care about their reputation because word spreads fast in local communities. And they’re not trying to hit some corporate sales quota – they want you to be happy so you’ll refer your neighbors.
National companies will pitch their “financial stability” and “consistent quality across locations.” Don’t buy it. When something goes wrong (and eventually, something always does), you want a local company that answers their phone and can send someone over – not a call center that routes you to whoever’s available.
Find a local residential solar panel installer that checks all your boxes and specializes in your area. You’ll be happier for it.
What Does a Residential Solar Installation in Cleveland, Ohio Look Like?
So you’ve approved your residential solar power system design. What happens next?
- They’ll dig into your energy use. Pull out your utility bills from the last year – installers need to see your actual consumption in kWh. This isn’t busywork. These numbers determine everything: how much you’ll save, when you’ll break even, and what size system makes sense for your home.
- Expect a home energy audit. Good residential solar energy companies don’t skip this. They’re looking at your consumption patterns, when you use the most power, all that. It’s how they properly size your system instead of just slapping panels up there and hoping for the best.
- Your roof gets scrutinized. Is it in decent shape? Facing the right direction? They’ll inspect everything – structural integrity, orientation, shading issues. This determines where panels go and how they’ll run the wiring without making your house look like a science experiment.
- Design gets finalized. They’ll show you renderings of what your residential solar energy system will actually look like on your roof, plus production estimates and costs specific to your situation.
- Paperwork time. Cleveland requires permits for residential solar installation. The good news? Your installer handles this headache. If they’re telling you to pull permits yourself, find a different company.
- The waiting game. Here’s the reality: start to finish, you’re looking at about 3 months. Permits take time. Inspections take time. Getting utility approval takes time. The actual installation on your roof? That’s usually done in 3 days, maybe longer if your roof is complicated or the system is big. Most of those 3 months are just waiting on bureaucracy.
- Installation day arrives. The crew shows up, gets everything installed, and cleans up after themselves. Professional crews leave your property cleaner than they found it – you shouldn’t see a single zip tie or scrap of wire left behind. Just new panels on your roof.
- Inspection happens. The city sends someone out to verify everything meets code and safety regulations. This is required – no way around it. Once you pass, you’re almost there.
- Grid connection is the final step. Your residential solar power system gets wired to the utility company, you apply for interconnection, and they’ll inspect it, too. Some residential solar panel installers handle this entire process for you; others make you deal with the utility. Ask upfront who’s doing what. Once all the approvals are in? Flip the switch. You’re making your own power.
