Written by Dean Mahmoud, CEO, and checked by Trevor Guilday, founder.Prices from the September 2026 Cost Index. Ohio credits in effect since June 1, 2026. Updated October 14, 2026.
A typical Ohio home system is 7.84 kW and costs about $21,717 in cash at $2.77 per watt. In our two cases it pays for itself in 13.1 to 22.3 years. Size decides where you land: inside a billing month, each solar kWh saves your full price, about 18.25¢. What is left at month end earns a lower credit, 7.2774¢ at the FirstEnergy utilities.
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Ohio’s net metering rule works in two steps, so each solar kWh you send out is worth one of two amounts. Our cases assume 40% of the power is used at home as it is made and 60% is sent out.
| Case and credit rule | Savings in year one | Net of $235 upkeep | Years to pay back |
|---|---|---|---|
| All power sent out is used up inside the month, worth 18.25¢ | $1,888 | $1,653 | 13.1 years |
| All power sent out is left over, credited 7.2774¢ (FirstEnergy, since June 1, 2026) | $1,207 | $972 | 22.3 years |
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The closer your solar output stays to your own use each month, the closer you get to the first case. A system much larger than your use pushes you toward the second.
The utility named at the top of your bill sets the month-end credit. It is the energy part of that utility’s standard offer, the default price for homes that have not picked another supplier.
Rider GEN energy charge since June 1, 2026. Ohio Edison’s 2.7479¢ capacity charge is not part of the credit.
Next: ask in writing for a refund of built-up credits, up to 12 months’ worth.
Generation Energy Rider since June 1, 2026. Its tariff does not say whether its 2.659¢ capacity charge counts too.
Next: ask AEP Ohio which charges your credit uses.
Standard Offer Rate since June 1, 2026. Its tariff lists no refund, so unused credits may be lost, including when you stop service.
Next: size close to your use so credits do not pile up.
Utility | Credit per leftover kWh | 100 leftover kWh earn | What happens to unused credits |
|---|---|---|---|
AEP Ohio | 7.508¢ | $7.51 | Carry to later bills; refund on written request, up to 12 months |
Ohio Edison, Illuminating Co., Toledo Edison | 7.2774¢ | $7.28 | Carry to later bills; refund on written request, up to 12 months |
AES Ohio | 10.86¢ | $10.86 | Carry to later bills; no refund listed |
Duke Energy Ohio | 8.1218¢ or 4.7724¢ | $8.12 or $4.77 | Carry to later bills; refund on written request, up to 12 months |
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Duke Energy Ohio credits its retail energy charge, Rider RE. From June 1, 2026 that is 8.1218¢ in summer and for the first 1,000 kWh in winter, and 4.7724¢ above 1,000 kWh in winter. These figures come from our October 6, 2026 tariff review; we could not reread Duke’s price sheet since, so ask Duke for the rate in writing.
Cleveland Public Power is outside the state rule and has its own. Extra power earns kWh credits that carry to later months, any credit left is erased with no payment when you close the account, and you must own the system. Other city utilities and electric co-ops also set their own solar rules, so ask for them in writing.
AEP Ohio’s own website now calls the utility Ohio Power Company, its legal name in the tariff. Your bill may show either name.
The leftover credit follows each utility’s standard offer price, which is bought at auction and runs for a year from June 1. It only applies while you buy your power from the utility.
Today’s credits started June 1, 2026. Each new price moves the credit up or down.
A net metered system may not exceed 120% of your average yearly use over the past three years.
AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy and Duke refund built-up credits on written request, up to a 12-month true-up.
A supplier or city aggregation may offer its own solar credit terms. It does not have to offer any.
Ohio lets you buy power from a company other than your utility, and many towns sign up residents as a group, called a community aggregation. Your utility still delivers the power and sends the bill. AES Ohio says its credit uses the standard offer rate “unless you have a net meter contract with an alternate generation supplier”.
Look at the supply section of your bill before you sign a solar contract. If it names a supplier, ask that supplier and your utility, in writing, how each credits extra solar power. An aggregation can enroll you without you doing anything, so check your bill again just before the system is switched on.
A quote that uses one credit rate for the whole life of the system is a guess. Ask which rate it used and which June it dates from.
At the $2.77 per watt benchmark, tied 14th lowest of 51 in the Cost Index. These are modeled cash prices, not quotes we collected.
| System | Price paid in cash | Output per year |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $13,850 | 6,598 kWh |
| 7.84 kW (typical) | $21,717 | 10,345 kWh |
| 10 kW | $27,700 | 13,195 kWh |
| 12 kW | $33,240 | 15,834 kWh |
No rebate or tax credit lowers the price of a home system in Ohio. Besides the bill credit, the one lasting break is that your panels are not taxed.
Systems of 250 kW or less finished since January 1, 2010. The law has no end date.
Ohio’s 2025 income tax instructions list no credit for solar.
Not for a system you own placed in service after December 31, 2025.
None at AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy, AES Ohio or Duke when we checked.
If your county auditor adds the system to your home’s value, file Form DTE 23 with the auditor by December 31 of the tax year you want exempted.
| Way to pay | Owner | What to check in Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | You | Property tax exemption applies; no credit lowers the price |
| Hamilton County loan | You | Five-year loan up to $50,000 at 3% below the bank’s lowest normal rate, for homes valued under $350,000 |
| Other loan | You | Cash and financed totals side by side; a dealer fee can add years to payback |
| Lease or PPA | The company | Ask the county auditor if the exemption covers a leased system; terms if you sell |
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The three companies on our Ohio list, A to Z, not ranked. Each has an active Ohio electrical license on the state roster, held by the company or by a person on its behalf. Facts from their own sites and the roster, read September 9 to October 14, 2026.
ESD Roofing Solar buys homeowner leads from EcoGen America. That does not change its facts or its place in this A to Z list. How we make money. What the Verified badge means.
Ask each installer how much of the output you would use inside each month, and which leftover credit it assumed.
Size solar to your Ohio billsEcoGen America does not sell or install solar. When you request quotes, we pass your request to solar providers serving your area, and they pay us for the introduction. Providers can include installers, solar marketplaces and lead exchanges, and more than one may contact you. You never pay us. Privacy policy
CEO of EcoGen America. Since 2021 he has connected homeowners with residential solar installers in all 50 states.
About Dean
Founder of EcoGen America. He has worked in residential solar since 2016 and maintains the EcoGen Solar Cost Index.
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