Akron, OH Solar Installation: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings

Solar Power in Akron

If you live in Akron, OH, you know winters are long and summer cooling bills add up fast. With Ohio’s electricity prices increasing 31% from 2020 to 2024, many local homeowners are turning to solar to take control of their energy costs.

This guide walks you through what solar installation looks like in Akron, from how the process works to what to expect. To learn more about the basics, explore our guide on home solar panels.

OHIO by the Numbers

• 24th Most residential solar in the United States
• 22 Households have installed solar panels
• 4.4 Avg peak sun hours per day
• ~$60k Akron average savings over 25 years

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Akron, OH?

See what solar really costs in Akron using our calculator, built from real installation data across neighborhoods like Fairlawn, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, and Tallmadge. Instead of rough estimates, you’ll get local numbers based on actual homes near you—helping you understand your options clearly and confidently.

System Size This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Ohio.

Recommended System: 8.36 kW
Your Monthly Payment: Estimated monthly cost with LightReach: $101/mo

Why Lease Solar?

Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.

• No upfront investment
• Palmetto handles all maintenance
• 90% Production Guarantee
• Comprehensive protection program included

Cost Breakdown

• Your estimated investment: System Cost: $23,814
• Price per Watt: $2.85
• Final Cost: $23,814

Savings

• Monthly Savings: Average utility bill reduction: $138
• Payback Period: Break-even point: 12.0 years
• 25-Year Savings: $60,320

Palmetto Reviews

Palmetto provided professional, quality service when installing our solar panels. Their communication is top notch. The installation team was punctual, professional and completed it all in 1 day. If we have any questions we can always reach our representative to get them answered. If you are thinking about solar panels, and you should with who knows what’s gonna happen with electricity in the future, definitely give Palmetto a call! You won’t be disappointed!!!!

• Sherri Niese, Ohio, Ohio

They are very dedicated from the time you order the service. The installation was done in December 2021 and very well craftsmanship was done by one single installer. I was very impressed. I have got electric bills as low as $.24 if you thinking about going solar don’t hesitate, call Palmetto for a hassle free service.

• John Kenney, Mogadore, Ohio

The Palmetto Solar people were very easy to talk to and answered every question that we had about the plans, that they provided ahead of time, and the installation of our solar panel system. They were very prompt, calling ahead of time to verify their arrival on sight the day they were scheduled to be at our home for the installation. The workers were polite and respectful, they worked quickly, and they cleaned up thoroughly before leaving when the installation was complete.

• Michael Fisher, Medina, Ohio

Key Takeaways

• Akron homeowners can save around $60,000 over 25 years by going solar, as Ohio electricity prices have climbed 31% since 2020.
• You don’t need to pay upfront to go solar in Akron—leasing through LightReach starts as low as $101/month, with maintenance fully handled by Palmetto.
• Ohio still offers helpful solar incentives, like the ECO-Link program’s reduced-interest loans, even now that the federal residential tax credit has ended.

Akron Electricity Prices

In Akron, electricity costs keep climbing. Understanding those numbers can help you decide whether solar makes sense for your home.

Ohio’s electricity prices rose about 26% from 2021 to 2024, climbing from 12.8 cents to 16.1 cents per kWh. That steady increase adds up on Akron energy bills year after year.

Solar lets Akron homeowners generate their own power instead of buying it all from the grid. This can help manage energy costs, even as local rates continue to rise each year.

Over time, a solar system can offer predictable energy costs for decades. As grid prices increase, that stability may become more valuable. Learn more in our guide on home solar panels.

Price of Energy: Ohio vs National Average

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration, Form 861

Akron Area Utility Providers

If you live in Akron, OH, most homes get their power from Ohio Edison. In 2023, Ohio Edison charged about 14.6¢ per kWh, just under the 15.40¢ Ohio average and the 16.0¢ national average.

Akron’s rates sit slightly below national levels partly thanks to Ohio’s mix of natural gas and nuclear generation. Even so, prices can shift with fuel costs, demand, and weather, making future bills hard to predict.

Akron Utilities Electricity Rates

Source: US Energy Information Administration, 2023, Form 861, Table 6

Ohio Solar Incentives

Akron homeowners can tap into several solar incentives in Ohio that help offset the cost of a solar installation.

These state and local programs include the Ohio Treasurer’s ECO-Link reduced-interest loans, plus property tax abatements and low-interest financing programs offered in cities and counties across Ohio, such as Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Hamilton County.

While the federal residential tax credit has been eliminated, state and local incentives remain. Solar leasing through LightReach also simplifies things, since Palmetto handles the commercial ITC and passes savings along via lower monthly payments.

The ECO-Link (Energy Conservation for Ohioans) program is administered by the Ohio Treasurer of State and helps homeowners in Akron finance solar panel and battery storage installations at reduced interest rates. The program works through Ohio’s Linked Deposit Program: the state deposits funds with participating banks at a below-market rate, and those banks pass the savings on to borrowers in the form of an interest rate reduction of up to 3% below the prevailing market rate.

Eligible homeowners can borrow up to $50,000 through the program. Loans up to $25,000 are available on 5-year terms, while loans between $25,000 and $50,000 are available on 7-year terms. At least 50% of the loan must be used for solar energy improvements. This reduced-rate financing can meaningfully lower the monthly cost of going solar, especially for homeowners who do not have access to other low-cost financing options.

Akron 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.

Akron’s cloudy winters and snowy weather might seem challenging, but its long summer days and moderate temperatures support strong solar production. With the right system, Akron homes can generate reliable, clean energy year-round.

Solar Production in Akron by Month

System Size: 5 kW, 7 kW, 10 kW

Summer Production (July)
46.8 kWh/day

In July, your 10 kW system could power:

• 3.1 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
• or Run central AC for 15 hours AND power all other appliances
• or Fully charge 4.7 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles

Winter Production (December)
16.1 kWh/day

In December, your 10 kW system could power:

• 1.1 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
• or Keep your home heating system running for 8 hours
• or Fully charge 1.6 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles

Annual Production
12,315 kWh/year
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:

• Offset 9 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
• or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 148 trees

Solar Panel Systems in Akron

See how Akron is going solar. We mapped solar installations across the country, right down to the neighborhood level.

Leasing Solar Panels

In Akron, most homes are served by Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy), and Palmetto offers a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) through LightReach. With a PPA, you don’t pay for the system itself—you simply pay a set price for each kilowatt-hour of clean power your panels produce, often less than your utility charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does Akron, OH have net metering?
  Yes. Akron homeowners have access to net metering through their local utility, Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy). Each month, the solar energy your panels send to the grid is netted 1:1 against the electricity you use that month, helping lower your bill.

• Do solar panels increase your home value in Akron, OH?
  In Akron, OH, solar panels can increase your home’s value when you own the system, either through cash or a loan.