Are Solar Panels Still Worth it in 2025?
Installing solar panels on your home comes with many benefits, from lower electricity costs to a smaller carbon footprint—but solar panels also come with an upfront cost that may have you wondering whether they’re really worth the investment.
At Sustainergy Cooperative, we wholeheartedly believe that going solar is worth it—now more than ever. We’ve installed solar panels on all kinds of homes in Columbus, Ohio and the greater Cincinnati area and have seen firsthand how homeowners benefit from solar panel installation.
Electricity Costs are Rising Fast
Is electricity becoming one of the biggest expenses you have to worry about every month? You’re not alone. Electricity costs, like almost everything else right now, are going up.
In October of 2023, Ohio homeowners were paying an average of 15.89 cents per kWh of electricity. Just one year later, in October of 2024, prices rose to an average of 16.63 cents per kWh. That’s a steep increase for a single year. As rates continue to go up, solar becomes an even more attractive option because, the more you spend on electricity, the more valuable it is to own your power. Solar panels shield you against electricity rate increases so you can keep your costs low, stable, and consistent for the entire 25+ year lifespan of your solar energy system.
The Cost of Solar Is Going Down
The cost of electricity is going up and up, but the cost of solar panels is following a different trend. Solar panel installation costs have dropped by around 40% over the past decade, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. The average cost of a residential solar power system (before factoring in the 30% federal tax credit) was around $40,000 in 2010. Today, it’s roughly $25,000, and the solar tax credit brings that down even further to $17,500.
Solar Incentives are Strong…For Now
There are currently excellent solar panel incentives available to help you save even more on installation costs. The federal solar panel tax credit in 2025 is at an all-time high of 30%. The solar tax credit reduces what you owe when you file your federal taxes by 30% of your total solar installation costs, and it applies to solar battery storage, too.
Ohio homeowners can also benefit from net metering, which allows you to sell the excess electricity your solar panels generate to your utility company. In exchange, you receive credits that can be used to buy grid power when you’re solar panels are not producing enough. Right now, Ohio offers 1:1 net metering, which means you’re compensated at the full retail rate for the electricity you send to the grid. But that could be changing soon.
Many states, including Kentucky, have rolled back their net metering policies and significantly reduced the rate at which solar customers are compensated for the power they send to the grid. A new bill was recently introduced in Ohio that proposes significant changes to our net metering policy. If you wait too long to go solar, you could end up missing out on the excellent net metering policy we currently have. If you install solar before these changes go into effect, you’ll be locked into your net metering rate for the entire 25+ year lifespan of your system.
Benefits of Solar Panels for Ohio Homes in 2025
Lower Electric Bills
Saving money on your electric bills is the main benefit of a home solar installation. With rooftop solar panels, you’ll be able to generate most of the electricity you need to power your home yourself, so you can buy less electricity from your utility and save money on your bills. Once you break even on your installation costs, your solar panels will be putting money back into your pockets.
Sustainergy Cooperative helps reduce your energy costs even more with our Smart Solar approach. We start by making low-cost, high-impact energy efficiency improvements like attic insulation and air sealing to reduce your home’s energy consumption before you go solar. This way, you can cover your home’s energy needs with a smaller, more affordable solar panel system. And, you’ll be using less energy, which means greater savings.
Stabilized Electricity Costs for 25+ Years
Electricity rates are volatile because they are heavily influenced by oil and gas prices. Utility companies generate most of their electricity by burning fossil fuels, so when fuel costs go up, electricity rates do too. But solar panels generate electricity without using fossil fuel. The fuel they run on—sunlight—is always free. With a home solar system, you can lock in your electricity costs and protect yourself against rising rates.
Greater Energy Independence
Most of us rely on external sources like a utility company for electricity access, even though it is one of our most important resources. Installing home solar panels brings electricity production under (or rather, on top of) your own roof, so you can be in greater control and ensure reliable electricity access for your family.
Blackout Protection
Severe weather is becoming increasingly common and with it comes blackouts. Installing home solar panels with battery storage will give you a reliable source of backup power you can use to keep your essentials running during a power outage.
Smaller Carbon Footprint
Electricity production is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Switching to renewable energy sources like solar power reduces fossil fuel consumption and helps create a cleaner, more sustainable future for your children and grandchildren. If you want to support the fight against climate change in your daily life, installing solar panels is one of the best things you can do.
Ready to Go Solar?
Solar panel installation is a smart investment for homeowners seeking long-term savings. If you’re ready to start saving money with solar, give Sustainergy Cooperative a call. We’re a local, worker-owned solar company serving homeowners in Columbus, OH and throughout the greater Cincinnati area. We offer free, no-pressure assessments and can help you decide whether solar panels are worth it for your home.
