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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 7 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of West Chester. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
High-quality solar panel installation in West Chester, Ohio requires you to hire a solar installer with proper certification, skills and experience. We've created a list of the highest-rated solar companies in West Chester to help you find the right installer.
Prior to choosing an installer, ask others for recommendations, review potential installers and get multiple quotes to identify the right company for you. You can choose a local West Chester solar company or use an established national brand.
Although solar panels are a big upfront investment, you can cut your energy bills over the long term. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that moving to solar energy enables West Chester homeowners to save about $1,100 per year.
Various solar companies provide different services. Make sure to compare each company and get quotes from all before arranging your solar panel installation.
Search for West Chester solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars based on customer feedback on Google Reviews and similar sites. Make sure the company has a high rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) when selecting a solar company.
Reviewing previous customer testimonials can give insight into other homeowners' experiences working with the solar company. Frequent poor reviews are worth making a note of as a possible warning sign.
Places with varying amounts of sun, including those with increased rain or cloud coverage like West Chester, can still benefit from solar energy. Here are the best reasons for considering solar energy:
According to the results of our survey performed in October 2023, the average cost for solar panel installation nationally is $11,743.
The price of installing solar panels varies based on several factors, including your location, sunlight exposure, roof orientation, shading, system size and labor. Be prepared to pay extra if you pick any add-ons like animal guards, solar trackers or batteries.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the EIA and NASA, installing solar panels in West Chester averages around $17,747.
Though installing solar panels requires a major investment to start, you can see considerable savings on your energy bills in the future.
In West Chester, you can plan to save money after transitioning fully to solar. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage influence how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
In addition to monetary savings, moving to solar energy decreases your carbon footprint and environmental impact. We've calculated the estimated CO2 emission reductions you can achieve by going solar based on data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
There are a number of solar incentives available to homeowners in West Chester. Specific programs are applicable to all Ohio residents, while others are dependent on your utility company, municipality and city.
The following solar incentives are accessible to Ohio residents, according to DSIRE:
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 |
Loan Program Butler Rural Electric Cooperative - Energy Efficiency Improvement Loan Program | $25,000 |
Rebate Program Butler Rural Electric Cooperative - Residential Rebate Program | Geothermal Systems (New Installations): $1,200 Geothermal Systems (Replacement Systems): $600 Dual Fuel Heating Systems (New Installations): $600 Dual Fuel Heating Systems (Replacements): $300 Air Source Heat Pump Systems (New and Replacements): $300 Insulation: maximum of $800 or 50% of project cost (whichever is lower) Air Sealing: maximum of $400 or 50% of project cost (whichever is lower) |
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 think through these questions prior to hiring a solar panel installation company.
The size of your system depends on your household’s energy consumption and the solar panel system's production ratio. Larger households generally use more energy and may require a larger system. If the system isn’t large enough, it might fail to generate enough energy to power your entire house.
Required permits and local or state regulations could impact your solar project. Be sure to obtain necessary permits through your local building department and plan an inspection.
Not every house gets the same amount of sun. Nearby trees, rain and extreme weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks sufficient sunlight, you may need more panels with increased wattage.
To store additional energy, many panel systems include a solar battery. This feature is essential in cloudy conditions and helps to mitigate power loss. However, adding battery storage can result in higher installation costs.
There are several solar panel types available, with differences in efficiency, life expectancy and design. These aspects affect not just the cost, but also panel replacement frequency and the space needed on your roof.
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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