Discover your exact solar savings potential in Ohio. We factor in local utility rates, sun hours, and state-specific incentives to give you an accurate ROI estimate.
DISCLAIMER: All estimates are approximations based on regional averages. Actual savings vary by location, roof orientation, utility provider, and installer. This calculator does not guarantee specific savings.
Electricity rates last updated: August 2026 (source: EIA)
Find out how much you can save based on your location and current energy usage.
Ohio has a deregulated retail electricity market, meaning residential customers can shop among competing electricity suppliers, though the local distribution utility (AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, AES Ohio, or a FirstEnergy Ohio utility) still delivers the power. Average residential rates range roughly 17 to 19.5¢/kWh depending on the source, time period, utility territory, and the competitive rate you have locked in. This range should be treated as an approximation — your actual rate may differ. Shopping for a lower-cost supplier can affect your solar payback calculation, so confirm your current rate before running estimates.
Ohio law requires investor-owned utilities — AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, AES Ohio (formerly Dayton Power & Light), and FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities (Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Toledo Edison) — to offer net metering for residential systems. However, Ohio does NOT require full 1:1 retail-rate crediting. Utilities typically credit exported solar energy at a rate below full retail, often closer to a wholesale or avoided-cost rate, and the exact credit varies by utility and rate plan. Rural electric cooperatives and municipal electric utilities are NOT required by state law to offer net metering, though some voluntarily do. Always confirm the specific export credit rate with your utility before sizing your system — it significantly affects the economics of overproducing.
As of 2026, AEP Ohio has proposed shifting net-metering customers toward additional distribution charges on all electricity flowing through a solar-equipped home — a structure sometimes called 'net billing' — as part of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's (PUCO) ongoing five-year review of the state's net-metering rules. This change has NOT been finalized and is still under regulatory review. If adopted, it could affect future export economics for AEP Ohio solar customers. Monitor PUCO docket activity and confirm current interconnection and billing terms directly with your utility before installing.
Ohio has an active Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) market tied to its Renewable Portfolio Standard. However, this is NOT the lucrative income source some marketing sites suggest. Ohio eliminated its dedicated solar carve-out from the RPS in 2019, the SREC market has been chronically oversupplied, and SRECs currently trade at roughly $3 to $5 per megawatt-hour (MWh) — far below the $200–$400/MWh values seen in states like New Jersey or Massachusetts that maintain solar carve-outs. Additionally, Ohio's RPS requirements are scheduled to phase out in 2026, which could further reduce demand for Ohio SRECs. Do not factor significant SREC income into your payback calculation for Ohio.
Unlike many states, Ohio does NOT offer a statewide property tax exemption for residential solar installations. Your local assessed property value may increase after adding solar, and you could see a higher property tax bill as a result. However, some individual cities have their own local abatement programs: Cincinnati's Property Tax Abatement for Green Buildings can postpone taxes on the added home value for up to 15 years, and Cleveland offers its own abatement program that can exempt up to 100% of the added value. These are city-specific programs with their own eligibility and application requirements — confirm with your local city or county government whether any local abatement applies to your address.
Ohio does not offer a sales tax exemption on solar equipment purchases. Panels, inverters, and related hardware are subject to Ohio's standard sales tax. Ohio also does not offer a state income tax credit for residential solar installations. The state's solar incentive environment is relatively thin compared to states with active rebate, credit, or SREC carve-out programs.
The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and does NOT apply to solar energy systems installed in 2026 or later. This is a significant change from prior years. Any installer or website claiming a 30% federal credit is currently available for Ohio homes is providing outdated information.
Everything you need to know about solar incentives, costs, and savings in your area.