Palmetto

Akron, OH

Solar Guide
Nathan Healy
Certified by Nathan Healy
Quality Solar Solutions Since 2011
Palmetto has served 20,000+ customers across 31 states with an approval rating over 85%.
01

Solar in Akron

Considering solar panels for your Akron home? With Ohio electricity prices increasing 31% since 2020, solar power offers a practical solution to rising energy costs while embracing clean energy technology.

Despite Akron’s four-season climate, modern solar systems perform efficiently in Northeast Ohio. Many Akron homeowners are surprised to learn that their properties receive ample sunlight to generate significant energy savings throughout the year.

OHIO by the Numbers

24th Most residential solar in the United States
22k Households have installed solar panels
~$7k Ohio average solar rebate savings
~$59k Akron average savings over 25 years
02

Key Takeaways

  • Solar panels in Akron can save homeowners $59,094 over 25 years while protecting against rising electricity costs, which have increased 31% since 2020.
  • Federal tax credits reduce solar costs by 30% in Akron, bringing the average system price down by $7,014 with additional state incentives available.
  • Despite Ohio’s weather, solar panels in Akron efficiently produce energy year-round, with modern systems designed to perform well in all four seasons.
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Palmetto Reviews

04

Solar Cost Calculator

Discover the true cost of solar installation in Akron with our exclusive calculator, powered by real data from our installations across Fairlawn, Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, and other local neighborhoods. Get accurate, transparent pricing tailored specifically to Akron homeowners.

Select Your Home Size

Small Home Up to 2,000 sq ft
Medium Home 2,000-3,000 sq ft
Large Home Over 3,000 sq ft

Estimated Investment and Savings

System Size
Recommended System
8.19 kW
Typical for your home size in OH
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Ohio.
Cost Breakdown
System Cost
$23,379
Federal Tax Credit (30%)
-$7,014
Final Cost
$16,365
Savings
Monthly Savings
Average utility bill reduction
$135
Payback Period
Break-even point
8.8 years
25-Year Savings
Total financial benefit
$59,094
05

Akron Electricity Prices

Akron homeowners face rising electricity costs, making solar panel installation an increasingly attractive option for long-term energy savings and stability.

Since 2021, Akron residents have seen electricity prices climb from 12.8 to 16.1 cents per kWh – a 26% increase. While slightly below the national average, these rising costs significantly impact household budgets.

Solar installation offers Akron homeowners a practical solution by generating clean electricity on-site, reducing reliance on grid power and providing predictable energy costs despite utility price fluctuations.

With properly installed solar panels typically lasting 25+ years, Akron families can lock in energy savings for decades while protecting themselves from future electricity rate increases and contributing to a cleaner environment.

Price of Energy: Ohio vs National Average

30¢
20¢
10¢
13.7¢
12.8¢
15.0¢
13.9¢
16.0¢
15.4¢
16.5¢
16.1¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Ohio

Akron Area Utility Providers

In Akron, FirstEnergy is the primary utility provider with 2023 electricity rates of 14.4¢ to 14.6¢ per kWh, notably lower than Ohio’s average of 15.40¢ and the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.

Akron residents benefit from these below-average electricity costs due to FirstEnergy’s diverse energy generation portfolio and Ohio’s competitive energy market structure, though rates have still risen consistently over recent years.

While Akron’s electricity rates are currently competitive, installing solar panels provides long-term price stability against future utility increases, potentially saving homeowners thousands over a system’s 25+ year lifespan.

Akron Utilities Electricity Rates

FirstEnergy
14.40¢
-10%
FirstEnergy
14.60¢
-9%
OH Average
15.40¢
-4%
US Average
16.0¢
06

Ohio Solar Incentives

Akron homeowners can significantly reduce solar installation costs through solar incentives in Ohio, including federal tax credits and state-specific programs.

Ohio offers property tax exemptions that prevent increased property taxes on solar installations, plus SRECs that generate additional income from your system’s clean energy production.

These incentives change over time, so research current offerings thoroughly. Acting promptly ensures you maximize available benefits while transitioning to sustainable energy.

Save an average of

$7,014

in solar rebates in Ohio

INCENTIVE TYPE DESCRIPTION SOURCE
Residential Clean Energy Credit Federal tax credit A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed Learn More
Property Tax Exemption State tax exemption No property tax on added home value from systems =250kW. Saves ~$300-500 annually on $15k system value at 2-3% tax rate. Learn More
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) State program Small additional income from selling certificates. 7kW system earns ~$20-40/year at current prices. Requires PUCO certification. Learn More

The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.

The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.

Ohio offers a Property Tax Exemption for solar energy systems that provides significant financial benefits to homeowners. This state tax exemption means that when you install a qualifying solar system on your property, the value it adds to your home is exempt from property taxes. Without this exemption, your property taxes would increase based on the added value of your solar installation, which typically ranges from $10,000-$30,000 for residential systems.

There are two key eligibility paths for this exemption. First, solar energy systems installed between August 14, 1979, and December 31, 1985, that meet guidelines established under Ohio law qualify for the exemption. Second, and more relevant for today’s homeowners, any solar energy facility with a nameplate capacity of 250 kilowatts or less completed on or after January 1, 2010, is exempt from property taxation. This second provision covers virtually all residential solar installations, as most home systems are well under 25 kilowatts. The exemption applies automatically and continues for the life of your solar system with no renewal requirements.

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) in Ohio are a valuable financial incentive for homeowners with solar panel systems. When your solar panels generate electricity, you earn one SREC for every megawatt-hour (1,000 kilowatt-hours) of electricity produced. These certificates can then be sold to utility companies, who purchase them to meet their renewable energy requirements under Ohio’s Renewable Portfolio Standard.

The value of SRECs fluctuates based on market conditions, typically ranging from $10 to $50 per certificate in Ohio’s market. For a typical 5-10 kW residential solar system, this could generate 5-10 SRECs annually, potentially adding hundreds of dollars in extra income each year. To qualify, your solar system must be certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), and you’ll need to register with an SREC tracking system. There’s no set expiration date for Ohio’s SREC program, but market values can change over time as renewable energy goals evolve.

Ohio’s Net Metering program allows solar homeowners to receive credit for excess electricity their system sends back to the grid. When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home uses, that surplus energy flows to the utility grid, and you receive a credit on your monthly bill. This program is available through all major Ohio utilities including AEP Ohio, Ohio Edison, Illuminating Company, Duke Energy, AES Ohio, and Toledo Edison.

Under this monthly net metering structure, your exported solar energy is credited at a 1:1 ratio against your consumption within the same billing cycle. This means for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you send to the grid, you get a full retail credit for one kWh on your bill. If you produce more than you consume in a month, the excess credits are carried forward to your next bill at the generation rate, which typically ranges from 5-12 cents per kWh depending on your utility provider.

There are no specific eligibility requirements mentioned beyond having a grid-connected solar system with one of the participating utilities. The program operates on a monthly settlement basis rather than annual, meaning your excess generation credits are valued at the generation rate portion of your bill rather than the full retail rate. This is an important consideration when sizing your solar system, as oversizing may result in credits that are valued less than what you paid to generate that electricity.

Ready to start saving with solar?

Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Ohio incentives.

Get a Free Quote
07

Akron Solar Irradiance

Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.

Despite Akron’s cloudy winters, solar panels thrive during long summer days. With proper system design, Akron homes can harness substantial solar energy year-round, similar to other northern cities.

Solar Production in Akron by Month

Daylight Hours
Energy Production (kWh/day)

What Can Your Solar System Power?

Summer Production (July)

46.8 kWh/day

In July, your 10 kW system could power:

  • 3.1 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
  • or Run central AC for 15 hours AND power all other appliances
  • or Fully charge 4.7 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles

Winter Production (December)

16.1 kWh/day

In December, your 10 kW system could power:

  • 1.1 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
  • or Keep your home heating system running for 8 hours
  • or Fully charge 1.6 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles

Annual Production

12,315 kWh/year

Over a year, your 10 kW system could:

  • Offset 9 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
  • or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 148 trees

Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?

Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.

Get My Custom Estimate
08

Solar Installations in Akron

Discover the solar revolution in Akron! We’ve meticulously mapped every solar installation across the city, creating this interactive heatmap. Explore which neighborhoods are embracing clean energy and see how your community stacks up. Click any hexagon to reveal the number of solar-powered homes in that area.

09

Leasing Solar Panels

For Akron homeowners serviced by FirstEnergy (Ohio Edison), Palmetto offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) as an alternative to purchasing solar panels outright. With a PPA, you’ll pay for the power your system generates at a set price per kilowatt-hour rather than owning the equipment.

This option eliminates upfront installation costs and ongoing maintenance responsibilities. Palmetto handles everything from installation to repairs throughout the agreement term, making solar accessible with minimal hassle. You’ll start saving immediately without waiting to recoup an investment.

While purchasing systems typically yields greater long-term savings, PPAs provide an excellent alternative for homeowners who want predictable energy costs without maintenance concerns. Learn more about Palmetto’s LightReach PPA program to see if it’s right for your Akron home.

Go solar without the investment

With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!

Learn More
10

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, solar makes financial sense in Akron despite its four-season climate. With electricity rates rising 31% since 2020, a properly sized solar system can save Akron homeowners approximately $59,000 over 25 years.

Modern panels perform efficiently in Northeast Ohio weather, and the 30% federal tax credit significantly reduces installation costs. Many Akron neighborhoods like Fairlawn and Highland Square are seeing increasing solar adoption.

Yes, Akron has monthly net metering available through Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy). Each month, solar energy exported to the grid is credited at a 1:1 ratio against your consumption within that billing cycle.

Any excess production beyond your monthly usage is carried forward to the next bill at the generation rate (approximately 5-12¢/kWh), rather than the full retail rate.

Yes, solar panels increase home value in Akron. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.

For the average Akron home value of approximately $180,000, this could mean an additional $7,380 in resale value. This increase is protected by Ohio’s property tax exemption for renewable energy systems, meaning you won’t pay higher property taxes on this added value.

In Akron, the average cost of a residential solar system ranges from $16,365 (8.19 kW) after applying the 30% federal tax credit. System prices vary based on home size, energy needs, and roof characteristics.

Most Akron homeowners see payback periods of 8-9 years, with quality systems lasting 25+ years while protecting against rising electricity costs, which have increased 31% since 2020.

Yes, solar is financially worth it in Akron. With electricity prices rising 31% since 2020, a typical 8.19 kW system costs $16,365 after federal tax credits and saves approximately $59,094 over 25 years.

The payback period averages 8.8 years, while Ohio’s property tax exemption and net metering policies enhance the financial benefits. Solar also increases home value by about 4.1% without raising property taxes.

As a national company with a strong local presence in Akron, Palmetto Solar offers exceptional installation services with over 1,335 successful Ohio installations since 2020. We combine industry-leading financing options with an extensive installation network.

Our approach focuses on quality workmanship, transparent communication, and long-term support for Akron homeowners looking to benefit from solar energy’s financial and environmental advantages.