Cleveland, OH Solar Panels
In This Guide
Solar Power in Cleveland
Solar installation in Cleveland starts with assessing your roof, energy use, and how shade and seasonal sunlight may affect a system. Ohio electricity prices rose 31% from 2020 to 2024, making household energy costs an important part of the decision.
Explore what to expect from planning through installation, and learn the basics in Palmetto’s guide to home solar panels.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Cleveland, OH?
See what solar installation may cost in Cleveland using Palmetto’s firsthand Ohio installation data. Our calculator draws on local projects, including homes in nearby Lakewood, Parma, Shaker Heights, and Euclid, to provide a useful estimate for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Cleveland solar output changes with the seasons—long summer days boost production, while winter cloud cover, snow, and shorter daylight can reduce it.
- A typical estimate is only a starting point: a home’s roof, shade, energy use, utility rates, and financing all affect solar costs and savings.
- Solar may lower—but not necessarily eliminate—utility bills; Ohio net-metering credits depend on your utility tariff or supplier contract.
Cleveland Electricity Prices
What do Ohio’s changing electricity rates mean for Cleveland homeowners considering solar?
Chart data show Ohio’s average electricity price rising from 12.8¢ per kWh in 2021 to 16.1¢ in 2024—about 26%. Ohio’s 2024 figure remained slightly below the U.S. average of 16.5¢.
Home solar can reduce how much electricity a household buys from its utility. The impact depends on system output, energy use, and utility rules for exported power; solar does not necessarily eliminate utility bills.
Over a system’s useful life, producing some electricity at home may help a Cleveland household manage future rate increases and bring more predictability to energy costs. Actual value depends on installation costs, system performance, financing, and utility compensation.
Price of Energy: Ohio vs National Average
Cleveland Area Utility Providers
In Cleveland, customers may receive electricity from The Illuminating Company or Ohio Edison. The latest available utility figures are from 2023: rates were 14.4¢ and 14.6¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), respectively.
In 2023, both rates were below Ohio’s 15.40¢/kWh average and the national average of 16.0¢/kWh. These figures show the price differences, but do not explain what caused them.
For Cleveland households, these rates provide a baseline for comparing electricity costs with potential solar production. A home’s energy use and system details also affect the comparison, so utility rates alone cannot determine whether solar is a fit.
Cleveland Utilities Electricity Rates
Ohio Solar Incentives
Cleveland homeowners may find state and local programs that help offset solar costs. Explore solar incentives in Ohio below.
Ohio utilities must offer net-metering tariffs to eligible customer-generators. Homeowners may receive bill credits for solar electricity sent to the grid; the value depends on the applicable tariff or supplier contract.
Qualifying fixtures and other real property in energy facilities with aggregate nameplate capacity of 250 kW or less may be exempt from property taxes. Cleveland homeowners should confirm eligible system components with their county auditor.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Net Metering | Net Metering / Net Billing | Ohio utilities must offer net-metering tariffs to eligible customer-generators, allowing homeowners to receive bill credits for electricity their solar systems export to the grid; the value of surplus generation depends on the applicable tariff or supplier contract. | Learn More |
| Ohio Small Energy-Facility Property-Tax Exemption | Property Tax Exemption | Qualifying fixtures and other real property in an energy facility with aggregate nameplate capacity of 250 kW or less may be exempt from property taxation under Ohio law; homeowners should confirm which parts of their system qualify with their county auditor. | Learn More |
Ohio law requires electric utilities to offer net-metering tariffs to qualifying customers with eligible on-site generation, including solar. The system must be interconnected with the utility and generally must be intended primarily to offset the customer’s own electricity use. Apply for interconnection and receive utility approval before operating the system in parallel with the grid.
The financial benefit is a bill credit for electricity exported to the grid, but the credit is not necessarily equal to the full retail value of electricity or every charge on your bill. The utility tariff determines how imports, exports, and any surplus are valued; a competitive electricity supplier may have separate terms. Check the current tariff and supplier contract for your service address before estimating savings. Net metering is a billing policy, not a battery rebate.
Ohio Revised Code §5709.53 provides a property-tax exemption for qualifying fixtures and other real property included in an energy facility with aggregate nameplate capacity of 250 kW or less. The provision applies to qualifying facilities whose construction or installation was completed on or after January 1, 2010, and may be relevant to a residential solar installation.
This is not a cash rebate, an income-tax credit, or a blanket exemption for the home. The potential financial benefit is that qualifying solar-related real property may not be included in the property-tax assessment. Because the statute applies to specified fixtures and real property, ask your county auditor how it applies to the particular panels, mounting equipment, battery, and other components at your property.
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 QuoteCleveland 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.
Cleveland’s latitude brings shorter winter days, while Lake Erie’s cloud cover and snow can reduce output. Longer summer daylight helps, and well-designed systems can produce useful solar energy year-round.
Solar Production in Cleveland 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 Cleveland
We organized solar installation data across the country to show where Cleveland-area homeowners have made the switch. Explore the map to see solar installations across local neighborhoods and communities—click a hexagon to view the number of installations in that area.
How to Choose a Solar Installer in Cleveland
Verify the license
For a typical one-, two-, or three-family home, Ohio does not require a statewide solar-installer or general home-improvement contractor license. The statewide contractor-licensing chapter excludes a residential building. The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), within the Department of Commerce, licenses certain construction trades; that is not the same as a statewide solar-installer license. You can check an OCILB company record in the official lookup, but also ask what credentials apply to the work your project involves. City or county licensing may apply depending on your address, so confirm local requirements with the relevant office.
Look for certified installers
Ask whether the people designing and installing your system hold current North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) credentials, and verify what credential and person it covers through NABCEP. Certification can provide evidence of relevant training and knowledge, but it is not a substitute for required local approvals. Ask about manufacturer certifications, too: they may show brand-specific training or authorization. Confirm which crew members hold them and whether they apply to the equipment in your quote.
Compare quotes the same way
Request written proposals based on the same household usage assumptions and compare the details, not just the headline price. A larger system can cost more while also producing more, so check that estimates use comparable equipment and assumptions. Ask each installer to explain how it calculated expected production and what could change the estimate. Compare:
- System size in kilowatts (kW) and price per watt.
- Panel and inverter brands and models, plus estimated production in kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/year).
- Panel product and performance warranties, inverter warranty, workmanship coverage, and coverage for roof penetrations.
- Who handles permits, inspections, and the utility interconnection application.
- Total cost, or monthly payment and total payments, including any escalator and how it changes over time.
Have the installer explain exclusions, service contacts, and what happens if projected production is not met. Compare financing terms separately from system equipment and installation.
Permits, interconnection and your HOA
For a one-, two-, or three-family home in a jurisdiction enforcing the Residential Code of Ohio, applications go to the certified residential building department or building official. Local municipal, township, or county departments administer approvals and inspections; which one applies depends on the property address. The homeowner or applicant applies for utility interconnection to the electric distribution utility serving the home—not PUCO for approval. In the Cleveland area, the listed utilities include Ohio Power Co, Ohio Edison Co, Duke Energy Ohio Inc, and Cleveland Electric Illum Co. Ask your installer to identify the serving utility and put responsibility for each step in the contract.
Ohio’s HOA provisions are conditional, not a blanket invalidation of solar bans. Planned-community and condominium rules allow solar devices in specified circumstances, subject to the recorded declaration and reasonable restrictions; the declaration may specifically prohibit a device. Review your recorded documents and ask the association about its process before signing.
Red flags
- Pressure to sign the same day or a claim that you cannot take time to compare proposals.
- Unlicensed or out-of-state crews without clear answers about applicable local credentials and who is responsible for the work. Out-of-state status alone does not establish whether a contractor meets local requirements.
- Vague production estimates, unexplained assumptions, or reluctance to put equipment and warranty terms in writing.
- A large upfront deposit without a clear written schedule of payments and project milestones.
- A promise of federal homeowner tax credits for a 2026 purchase; homeowner credits ended December 31, 2025.
Palmetto is one installer you can include in your comparison, with a lease option through LightReach.
Leasing Solar Panels
For Cleveland homeowners served by The Illuminating Company (FirstEnergy) or Ohio Edison, Palmetto’s available option is a solar power purchase agreement (PPA). A PPA charges you for the electricity the panels produce at an agreed price per kilowatt-hour, so payments can vary with seasonal production. A fixed monthly solar lease is different; it is not listed as available for these utilities.
With a PPA, you can use solar power without paying the full system cost upfront. The system provider owns it and handles maintenance under the agreement, unlike a cash purchase, where you pay for the equipment and are generally responsible for upkeep. Your utility bill may still include charges or electricity used beyond solar production.
Compare the arrangements in this guide to buying or leasing solar, and learn about Palmetto LightReach. Check your utility and agreement terms for eligibility and service details.
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. Cleveland has net metering. The Illuminating Company, Cleveland’s main electric utility, nets solar electricity sent to the grid against your electricity use each month on a 1:1 basis.
If your panels produce more than you use that month, the excess carries forward to the next billing cycle and is credited at the generation rate, roughly 5–12¢ per kWh. Check your current utility tariff and electricity supplier contract for the exact terms.
Yes, an owned solar panel system may increase a Cleveland home’s value. Zillow’s study found homes with solar panels sold for about 4.1% more on average, though that figure is not a guarantee or a Cleveland-specific estimate. Actual value depends on the system, home, and buyer.
This potential value increase applies to panels the homeowner owns, not leased or third-party-owned systems. With a lease or PPA, a buyer may need to assume the agreement, which can affect resale differently. Cleveland buyers may also consider seasonal production and utility bill credits.
In Cleveland, the LightReach lease estimate is $101 per month for a typical 8.36 kW system, with no upfront cost and a fixed monthly payment. The calculator above shows estimates by home size.
A cash purchase is another option: the calculator estimates about $23,814 for a medium home, with costs varying by system size. The federal 30% residential solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases following the 2025 federal law change.
LightReach is a no-upfront-cost solar lease. One payment covers panels, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and protection, including a 90% production guarantee. Palmetto owns the system, claims the commercial ITC, and passes savings through in lower payments.
An 8.36 kW Cleveland system is estimated at $101/month, using Ohio’s 1,155 kWh/kW/year production ratio and $0.125/kWh rate. Payments are typically below current bills, so savings may start at activation. The Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison may offer variable-rate PPAs instead; verify terms.
Palmetto Solar is a solar installation option for Cleveland homeowners, with a local track record of 1,899 installations across Ohio since 2020. We combine a national service network with local project experience.
The best fit depends on your roof, shade, electricity use, utility rules, and budget. Compare the proposed system size, expected production, total cost, financing terms, and maintenance responsibilities before deciding.
Cleveland homeowners may benefit from Ohio net metering, which provides bill credits for eligible solar electricity sent to the grid; credit value depends on the utility tariff or supplier contract. Ohio law may also exempt qualifying solar-related property in energy facilities of 250 kW or less from property taxes. Ask your county auditor which system components qualify.
The federal 30% residential tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases after the 2025 law change. Palmetto says it claims the commercial investment tax credit for LightReach leases and passes the savings through in lower monthly payments.
Solar can be financially worthwhile in Cleveland when the value of the electricity your panels produce exceeds the system’s costs. With LightReach, eligible homeowners can start saving as soon as the system is active: the monthly lease payment is typically less than their current electricity bill, with no upfront investment required.
Your results depend on roof conditions, energy use, utility rates, and the agreement. Cleveland’s cloudy winters can reduce production, and utility charges may remain, so compare projected costs and savings for your home.