OH Solar Incentives & Tax Credit 2026
The 30% federal tax credit for purchased solar panels expired at the end of 2025. Home and business owners can still lower your monthly electric cost by installing solar. Check out 2026 OH solar incentives and tax credit opportunities below.
Solar Net Metering in Ohio
One of the major OH solar incentives in 2026 is that OH homeowners are eligible for net metering.
Net metering compensates you with bill credits for excess electricity generated by your panels and sent to the grid. Credits carry forward continuously, so you can bank credits earned in the summer and draw them down over the winter. Excess energy is credited at your utility’s energy rate, not the full retail rate, since credits don’t cover distribution or transmission charges.
Net metering rules are set statewide for Ohio’s major utilities: Duke Energy Ohio, AEP Ohio, companies operated by FirstEnergy, and AES Ohio. Credit rates and details vary by utility, so check your utility’s specific program online.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) allow homeowners to earn extra income for the energy their system generates, separate from net metering.
Homeowners earn one SREC for every 1,000 kWh their system produces. Current market value is around $3 per MWh, and Ohio’s renewable energy standard is set to end after 2026, so SREC value may drop further. As with other states, leased systems don’t qualify since SRECs belong to whoever owns the panels.
Click here to learn more about Ohio’s SREC program.
Energy Efficiency Loans
The Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program offers reduced-rate loans up to $50,000 for energy-efficient home upgrades, available in five or seven-year terms.
Local Tax Programs
Some cities and counties in Ohio offer their own tax and loan programs. Check with your county auditor about how solar affects your property taxes.
- Cincinnati’s Property Tax Abatement for Green Buildings lets you avoid paying taxes on the added home value from solar for up to 15 years
- Cleveland’s Tax Abatement Program can exempt up to 100% of the increased home value when you meet Green Building Standards
- Hamilton County’s Home Improvement Program (HIP) offers five-year loans up to $50,000 at 3% below market rate
Contact Us
There are plenty of OH solar incentives to give you the confidence to take the next step in going solar. Solar Liberty services the State of Ohio with crews operating out of Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and Youngstown. Tell us more about you via the links below.
Contact Us
FAQs
Are solar panels worth it in OH?
Even though the 30% residential ITC credit is gone, going solar in Ohio can still save you money on electric costs. Ohio’s net metering, SREC, and loan programs make solar panels a good long-term investment.
Are there ways to get free solar panels in OH?
There are no options for free solar panels in Ohio. The state offers net metering, Renewable Energy Credits, loan programs, and a possible property tax exemption for those living in Cleveland or Cincinnati to help manage solar costs.
How much time will it take for solar to pay itself in Ohio?
On average installing a solar power system can lower your electric bill and pay for itself over time. The estimated return on investment is 9 years to break even with system cost and electric savings.
How does net metering work in OH for solar power?
Net metering compensates you with bill credits for excess electricity generated by your panels and sent to the grid. Credits roll over from month to month and will continuously carry over to future bills. Credits are based on your utility’s energy rate, which is lower than the full retail rate.
How can I participate in community solar programs in OH?
Community solar has yet to be widely adopted in Ohio due to lack of legislation. If you belong to a participating rural electric cooperative, you can subscribe to co-op solar array panels through programs like Our Solar. If you are served by a major utility company in Ohio, you cannot sign up for standard shared community solar billing credits just yet. For any difficulty paying utility bills, Ohio offers Energy Assistance Programs through the Department of Job & Family Services.
