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Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 8 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of Dayton. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
To perform a high-quality solar panel installation in Dayton, Ohio, you'll need to hire a properly certified, skilled and experienced solar installer. We've assembled a list of the leading solar companies in Dayton to help you find the right one.
Prior to choosing an installer, ask others for suggestions, vet potential companies and request multiple quotes to determine the ideal company for your requirements. You can look for a local solar company in Dayton or pick a well-known national brand.
While solar panels require a big initial investment, you can reduce your energy bills in the long term by making the switch. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), switching to solar energy allows Dayton homeowners to save a yearly average of about $940.
Many solar companies provide different products. Be sure to review each company and get quotes from all before arranging your solar panel installation.
Search for Dayton solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars based on customer commentary on Google Reviews and similar sites. Make sure the company has a favorable rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) when selecting a solar company.
Read through reviews to understand other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and watch for consistent bad reviews.
Places with different sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like Dayton, can still use solar power. The top reasons to switch to solar power are:
Based on our survey carried out in October 2023, the average national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The cost of solar panel installation is influenced by your system size, roof orientation, sunlight availability, area, labor costs and shading. Opting for extras such as batteries, animal guards or solar trackers will raise the overall cost.
In Dayton, solar panel installation costs an average of $17,836, per data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NASA and the EIA.
Solar panel installation is a major initial investment, but you can expect to see considerable savings reflected in your energy bills with time.
In Dayton, you can expect to save money once you've transitioned fully to solar. But it takes time to recover the upfront costs, and factors like precipitation and tree coverage influence how soon you'll get a return on your solar investment.
Beyond cost savings, transitioning to solar power also lessens your carbon footprint and minimizes your environmental impact. Provided below are the approximated CO2 emission reductions you can expect from solar energy, as determined by our analysis of data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Homeowners in Dayton can enjoy several solar incentives. A few are available across the state for all Ohio residents, and others depend on your city, municipality and utility company.
Per the DSIRE, here are the solar incentives offered to Ohio residents:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Loan Program Hamilton County - Home Improvement Program | $50,000 |
PACE Financing Local Option - Special Energy Improvement Districts | Low-interest, 30-year loan |
Loan Program Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program | Rate reduction available for up to $50,000 and 7 years of the bank loan |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Solar Renewable Energy Certificates Program (SRECs) | SREC prices vary based on market conditions |
Rebate Program Duke Energy (Gas & Electric) - Residential Efficiency Rebate Program | Variable Refrigerant Flow HVAC: up to $400 Central AC or Heat pump: $300-$400 Geothermal Heat Pump: $400 Smart Thermostat: $125 Heat Pump Water Heater: $350 Variable Speed Pool Pumps: $300 Duct Sealing: $100 Duct Insulation: $75 Attic Insulation and Air Sealing: $250 |
Rebate Program Dayton Power and Light - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Heating & Cooling Air Conditioning: $100 - $150, varies by efficiency and equipment application Air Source Heat Pump: $150 - $250, varies by efficiency and equipment application Geothermal Heat Pump: $800 - $1,000, varies by efficiency and equipment application Heat Pump Water Heaters: $400 Airlfow/Climate Control WiFi Thermostat: $20-$30 Smart Thermostat: $75 Air Insulation & Sealing: Up to $650, must be through approved contractors Appliance Recycling: $50 |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
Take time to evaluate these questions prior to hiring a professional solar panel installation company.
Your solar panel system's size hinges on your home's energy consumption and the system's production capacity. Larger homes use more electricity and might require bigger solar setups. An undersized system could struggle to fully energize your house.
Required permits and local or state codes could impact your solar project. Be sure to apply for necessary permits through your local building department and arrange an inspection.
Not all residences get equal levels of sunlight. Local tree coverage, precipitation levels and extreme weather can impact sunlight amounts. If your home doesn't get sufficient sun, it may require extra panels with higher wattage.
A solar battery allows the storage of extra power in solar panel systems. This is especially useful when you're trying to prevent power loss under cloudy skies. Incorporating battery storage might bump up the cost of installation.
You have options among solar panel types, as they vary in efficiency, design and life expectancy. These elements influence cost, how soon you'll need to swap panels and the amount of roof area you'll need.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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