Akron, OH Solar Panels
In This Guide
Solar Power in Akron
If you’re an Akron homeowner thinking about solar, you’re asking the right questions at the right time. Ohio electricity prices have risen 31% from 2020 to 2024, and Ohio ranks among the states with the 17th highest utility rates in the nation.
Solar panel installation can help you take control of your energy costs and reduce your reliance on the grid. This guide walks you through what Akron homeowners need to know about solar panels for your home.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Akron, OH?
Curious what solar actually costs in Akron? This calculator uses real data from Palmetto installations across Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Barberton, and Green, OH — so the numbers reflect what your neighbors are actually paying.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Ohio electricity rates rose 26% in just three years — solar panels help Akron homeowners reduce their reliance on the grid and protect against future increases.
- Akron homeowners can save an average of $59,000 over 25 years with a solar system sized to offset 100% of their electricity usage.
- Ohio’s property tax exemption means your home’s value won’t be taxed higher after installing solar panels — a key benefit for Akron homeowners.
Akron Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Akron have been climbing steadily — and for many homeowners, that trend is hard to ignore.
Ohio electricity rates rose from 12.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 16.1 cents per kWh in 2024 — a roughly 26% increase in just three years. That means the average Akron household is paying noticeably more for the same amount of energy.
Solar panels can help Akron homeowners reduce their reliance on the grid. By generating your own electricity, you rely less on utility rates that are outside your control. Learn more about solar panels for your home.
Over the long term, solar can help stabilize what you pay for energy. While Ohio utility rates continue to rise — now approaching the national average of 16.5 cents per kWh — a solar system helps insulate you from future increases.
Price of Energy: Ohio vs National Average
Akron Area Utility Providers
In Akron, Ohio Edison is the primary electric utility. According to 2023 data — the most recent available — Ohio Edison’s rate was 14.6¢ per kWh, below both the Ohio state average of 15.40¢ and the national average of 16.0¢.
While Ohio Edison’s current rate is relatively competitive, electricity costs across the country have trended upward over time. Understanding your local rate is a smart first step for any Akron homeowner evaluating their long-term energy options.
Even at today’s below-average rates, many Akron homeowners explore solar panel installation to hedge against future price increases and gain more predictability over what they pay for electricity each month.
Akron Utilities Electricity Rates
Ohio Solar Incentives
Akron homeowners have access to several solar incentives in Ohio that can help reduce the upfront and long-term costs of going solar.
Statewide programs are most relevant for Akron residents. Ohio’s property tax exemption means your home’s assessed value won’t increase after installation. The Solar for All program and PACE financing offer additional support depending on your situation.
Note that the federal residential solar tax credit no longer applies. If you’re exploring leasing, Palmetto’s LightReach program handles incentives on its end and passes savings through lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Property Tax Exemption for Solar (≤250 kW) | Property Tax Exemption | Ohio exempts residential and small commercial solar energy systems of 250 kW or less from real property taxes and public utility tangible personal property taxes, so your home’s assessed value does not increase due to your solar installation. | Learn More |
| Ohio PACE Financing (Property-Assessed Clean Energy) | Rebate | Ohio’s PACE program connects commercial, industrial, nonprofit, and multi-family property owners with fixed-rate financing covering 100% of upfront solar installation costs, repaid through property assessments over 15 to 25 years. | |
| Solar for All – Ohio (EPA / Ohio Air Quality Development Authority) | Rebate | A $156 million federal program administered by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority provides grants and low-cost financing for solar installations serving low- and moderate-income households across Ohio. | Learn More |
| Federal Battery Storage Tax Credit (Residential Clean Energy Credit – Section 25D) | Tax Credit | A 30% federal tax credit is available for qualifying home battery storage systems with a capacity of at least 3 kWh installed by December 31, 2025; eligibility for 2026 installations is uncertain and should be confirmed with a tax professional. | Learn More |
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 5727.76, solar energy systems with an aggregate nameplate capacity of 250 kW or less are fully exempt from real property taxation and public utility tangible personal property taxes, provided the system was constructed or installed on or after January 1, 2010. This means that even though adding solar panels typically increases your home’s market value, that added value will not raise your property tax bill.
The exemption is administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency in coordination with local county commissioners and county auditors. Because implementation can vary by county, it is important for residents of Akron to contact the Summit County auditor’s office directly to confirm how the exemption is applied in your area and to ensure your system is properly registered for the benefit.
This incentive is available statewide and applies automatically to qualifying systems, but proactive communication with your county auditor is recommended to avoid any inadvertent tax increases on your property assessment after installation.
Ohio’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program is a financing mechanism that allows commercial, retail, industrial, nonprofit, and multi-family property owners to cover 100% of the upfront costs of solar energy installations with no out-of-pocket expense at the time of installation. The program is administered in collaboration with local governments, which connect property owners with approved capital providers and contractors.
PACE loans feature fixed interest rates and repayment terms of 15 to 25 years. Repayment is structured as a special assessment on the property, meaning payments are made alongside property tax bills. Because the financing is tied to the property rather than the borrower, it can be an attractive option for property owners who may not qualify for traditional financing or who prefer to preserve their credit lines.
Note that Ohio’s PACE program is primarily designed for commercial and non-residential properties. Residential homeowners in Akron should explore the ECO-Link program as an alternative financing option. For more information on Ohio PACE, contact your local government or visit the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission website.
The Solar for All program is a federal initiative funded under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and administered nationally by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In Ohio, the program is being implemented by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, which received a $156 million grant to expand solar access for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households and underserved communities throughout the state.
The program is designed to provide grants and low-cost financing opportunities that make rooftop and community solar installations financially viable for households that might otherwise be unable to afford them. Cuyahoga County is among the communities participating through the Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition, and the program is expected to reach several dozen communities across Ohio.
As of 2026, the program is still being developed and specific application processes are being finalized. Eligible low- and moderate-income homeowners in Akron should monitor the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority’s website at oaqda.ohio.gov and the EPA’s Solar for All page for updates on when and how to apply. Priority will be given to households in designated low-income and disadvantaged communities.
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under IRS Section 25D provides a 30% tax credit on the cost of new battery storage systems with a capacity of at least 3 kWh. This credit applies to both standalone battery systems and batteries installed alongside solar panels. For systems installed and placed in service by December 31, 2025, the 30% credit is clearly available and is claimed by filing IRS Form 5695 with your federal tax return.
For battery storage systems installed in 2026 or later, the status of this credit is uncertain following recent legislative changes (the “One Big Beautiful Bill”). The residential solar ITC has been eliminated, and the future of the battery storage credit for new 2026 installations should be confirmed with a qualified tax professional before you rely on it in your financial planning. If you installed a qualifying battery system in 2025, you can still claim the credit when you file your 2025 taxes in 2026.
To claim the credit for an eligible installation, complete IRS Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits) and attach it to your federal tax return. The credit is non-refundable, meaning it can reduce your federal tax liability to zero but will not result in a refund. Any unused credit may be carried forward to future tax years. Consult a tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation and for the latest legislative updates.
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 QuoteAkron 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.
Akron gets cold, cloudy winters, but don’t let that discourage you. Like Boston or Seattle, Akron receives enough annual sunlight for a well-designed solar system to perform reliably year-round.
Solar Production in Akron by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
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 EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Akron
We’ve mapped every solar installation across the U.S. — and Akron is part of the story. Explore the map below to see which neighborhoods in your community have already made the switch to solar. Click any hexagon to see how many homes in that area are generating their own clean energy.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Ohio, Palmetto offers a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) through its LightReach program. This option is available to Akron homeowners served by Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy), the primary utility in the area. With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your panels produce — at a set rate per kilowatt-hour — rather than a fixed monthly amount. That means your bill may be a bit higher in sunny summer months and lower in winter, but your annual savings are comparable to a lease.
Compared to paying cash upfront, a PPA has some clear advantages. There’s no large investment to make on day one, and Palmetto owns and maintains the system throughout the agreement. That means no out-of-pocket repair costs, no maintenance headaches, and a 90% production guarantee to protect your savings. You simply pay for the clean energy your system generates. Learn more about whether buying or leasing solar is right for you.
For Akron homeowners who want to go solar without taking on a large purchase or loan, a PPA through LightReach is a straightforward path. You get the benefits of solar — lower energy costs and protection from rising utility rates — without the responsibilities that come with ownership.
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!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes sense for many Akron homeowners. Ohio electricity rates have risen 26% in just three years, and a properly sized system can save the average Akron household around $59,000 over 25 years. Akron averages 4.4 peak sun hours per day — enough for reliable year-round production.
Upfront cost doesn’t have to be a barrier. Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease requires no money down, so you can start saving from day one without a large investment.
Yes, Akron homeowners have access to net metering through Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy), the primary utility serving the area. Ohio Edison uses monthly net metering, which means your solar production is netted against your consumption on a 1:1 basis each month.
If your panels produce more electricity than you use in a given month, the excess is carried forward to your next bill — but credited at the generation rate (roughly 5–12¢/kWh) rather than the full retail rate. This makes it especially valuable to size your system to closely match your actual usage.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home value in Akron. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. On a $200,000 Akron home, that’s roughly $8,200 in added value.
Ohio’s property tax exemption for solar means that added value won’t raise your property tax bill — a meaningful benefit for Akron homeowners considering installation.
The most accessible way to go solar in Akron is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — with no upfront cost and a low fixed monthly payment starting around $99/mo for a medium-sized home. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there are no repair costs or maintenance responsibilities.
For homeowners who prefer to own their system outright, a cash purchase runs approximately $23,379 for an average home. Note that the federal 30% residential solar tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For many Akron homeowners, solar can be financially worthwhile — especially with a leasing option. With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, there’s no upfront cost. Your monthly lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, so most homeowners see savings from day one.
Ohio electricity rates have risen 26% in three years, and that trend is unlikely to reverse. A solar lease lets Akron homeowners lock in a predictable, lower energy cost without any large investment or maintenance responsibility.
Palmetto Solar is a strong choice for Akron homeowners. We’re a national company with deep local roots — completing 1,335 installations across Ohio since 2020. Our install network is vetted and experienced, and our customer approval rating exceeds 85%.
We offer some of the most flexible financing options available, including our LightReach lease with no upfront cost and monthly payments starting around $99/mo. Whether you prefer to lease or purchase, we make going solar straightforward for Akron residents.
Palmetto’s LightReach is an all-inclusive solar lease — one monthly payment covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. There is no upfront cost. Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit and passes those savings to you through lower payments.
For a typical 8.19 kW system in Akron, OH, the estimated monthly lease payment is approximately $99/month. Since that payment is generally less than your current electricity bill, most Akron homeowners start saving from day one.