Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Every year, more Clay homeowners use rooftop solar panels to provide a dependable source of power and add value to their property. Adopting solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. That’s why, after reviewing and analyzing installers, we compiled a guide to the most dependable solar companies in Clay. These installers offer dependable quality service.
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Going solar can be a great way to save money on electricity costs and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. Ohio may require a solar company to hold a state contractors' license, but only for commercial work. For home solar panel installations, cities can establish their own licensing or regulatory requirements.
Check consumer review platforms like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see feedback from past customers about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with installers that have hardly any reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar installer that fits your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from 3–5 providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation problems such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The performance guarantee ensures a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Switching to solar power can help lower your energy expenses over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the technology used. The average solar system in Clay has a capacity of 7.5 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $3,410 per kilowatt; the average Clay homeowners spends roughly $17,915 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar company will account for factors such as the capacity, size, and panel type of the planned system, and should include prices for labor, permit fees, and preliminary work.
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Low-interest, 30-year loan
Incentive Amount:
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
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar water heating system.
With home solar panels, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and gain additional energy independence.
It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Clay, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
Yes. Clay uses an equal mixture of solar energy and conventional power sources. While your panels at home will lower your home's emissions and provide cost savings, you'll still benefit from access to the local grid.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Clay, meaning your payback period could last 19.9 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can return the solar energy you don't use to the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
While solar energy is a valuable option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, a contractor might recommend other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
Yes. Solar panels exist independently from the power grid in Clay and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep in mind, however, that a solar system won't take you through a nighttime outage if you don't have a storage system. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
