Ohio Solar Incentives 2026 — What You Can Actually Use | EnergyPros
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Ohio solar incentives in 2026

Every incentive a Ohio homeowner can actually use, what each one is worth, and the ones that no longer exist. Sourced and dated.

Ohio kept retail-rate net metering and adds an SREC market

PUCO reaffirmed retail-rate net metering in January 2026, with credits available up to a 120% system sizing cap. That is a stronger position than several neighbouring states.

Ohio also exempts solar energy systems from property tax, so the value your system adds to the home is not assessed.

Ohio maintains an SREC market — one of roughly eight states that does. Certificates belong to whoever owns the panels.

Ohio is deregulated, so you can shop the supply portion of your bill but not delivery. Delivery is the part solar offsets.

Sources: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio; Ohio Revised Code property tax exemption.

The federal residential credit ended. Here is what that means.

The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under Section 25D ended for systems purchased after December 31, 2025. If you buy with cash or a loan in 2026, you cannot claim it. Any site still advertising a 30% federal credit for a homeowner purchase is running outdated information.

What remains is Section 48E, the commercial investment credit. It applies to third-party-owned systems — leases and power purchase agreements — where the system owner claims it rather than the homeowner. That is precisely what makes $0-down possible.

EnergyPros does not provide tax advice — confirm your situation with a tax professional.

What your utility charges in Ohio

Incentives only matter against the rate you are paying now. Ohio is a deregulated state — you can shop the supply portion of your bill but not delivery, and delivery is the part solar offsets. PUCO reaffirmed retail-rate net metering in January 2026, with credits available up to a 120% system sizing cap. Ohio also exempts solar energy systems from property tax and maintains an active SREC market.

See the full breakdown of every Ohio utility rate on our Ohio solar page.

See what solar costs against your Ohio rate

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Questions homeowners actually ask

Can I still claim the 30% federal solar tax credit?

No, not on a purchase. The Residential Clean Energy Credit under Section 25D ended for systems purchased after December 31, 2025. Section 48E still applies to third-party-owned systems — leases and power purchase agreements — where the system owner claims it. That is what makes $0-down possible.

Do incentives change what a quote should look like?

Yes. Any rebate paid to your installer should appear on your contract as a reduction in price, not as a savings claim. Ask for an itemised quote showing the gross price, each incentive applied, and the net. If an installer will not itemise, that is worth noticing.

Do I get the incentives if I go $0 down?

It depends on the incentive. Rebates paid to the installer reduce your contract price either way. Tax credits and renewable energy certificates generally follow ownership — under a lease or PPA the system owner claims them, which is part of how the monthly payment is kept low. A few state credits are exceptions.

Is EnergyPros the installer?

No. EnergyPros is a marketplace. We match you with vetted, licensed and insured contractors who work in your area, and you deal directly with them on the quote and the installation.

Ohio solar guides