Allen, unfortunately there are not any state incentives I am aware of in Ohio. Our legislature has not been very supportive and they get lobbied heavily by the fossil fuel industry. Still despite that, solar in Ohio definitely is cheaper than sticking with energy from the utility, and the savings are significantly increasing as electric utility rates have been rising and are taking a big jump this year. I thought about my previous response to your ask for expected range of costs in Ohio for solar, and realized I did not give you a complete answer. As I stated I don't think it is productive to look at a specific average cost you find on the internet, because of the variables from project to project and the differences in size/capacity I mentioned. But it is releveant to discuss a range that allows for variability but gives you a sense for what to expect.
One thing I forgot to mention is that as a non-profit/religious organization, there would be cost savings on the materials and equipment that is purchased by a contractor to build your solar PV system, so in a county that might have a 7% sales tax rate, the cost of materials (to the contractor) would be 7% less than for a residential or for-profit entity. I think the cost per watt from the quote/contract your church received does seem to be excessively high, unless there are unusual factors with the site, like significant site prep or trenching costs, etc. The range you should expect I think should be more like $2.30 to $2.90, and that includes premium quality solar panels that will product significantly more energy over it's life than a mediocre panel.
As a church, eliminating an electric bill would likely free up operating cash to use for more mission-related costs. Perhaps a good incentive might come from the parishioners, through a campaign to solicit donations or have fundraisers related to installing solar and eliminating or reducing the electric bill?
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Ken Nadsady
AviSun Renewable Energy
Hudson OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-23-2023 04:03 AM
From: Allen Wilkinson
Subject: current PV install cost per watt ?
Ken,
Thanks for reply. I was looking for Ohio Sate and local out of pocket $ incentives for churches/non-profits. We already are aware of the Federal incentive.?? Ohio has none that I could see.
Best,
-- Address: Allen Wilkinson (cell) (216) 548-2349 1286 Yellowstone Road retired NASA Glenn scientist Cleveland Heights, OH 44121 USA (INTERNET) aw(at)chaff(dot)biz "It is the thoughts we don't have that get us in life." +++++++
Original Message:
Sent: 6/22/2023 9:42:00 PM
From: Ken Nadsady
Subject: RE: current PV install cost per watt ?
Allen, the Inflation Reduction Act added nonprofits, schools, and municpalities as eligible for what was previously only known as the Federal Investment Tax Credit. If your church installs solar, it will qualify for 30% of the cost returned in the form of a check from US Treasury, despite being a nonprofit that does not pay income tax. If it is not on DSIRE, it probably just hasn't got the update yet.
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Ken Nadsady
AviSun Renewable Energy
Hudson OH
Original Message:
Sent: 06-22-2023 05:39 PM
From: Allen Wilkinson
Subject: current PV install cost per watt ?
Ella,
Thanks for links. When looking at Ohio in DSIRE database for churches (non-profits) and $ incentives (not loans) there are no relevant incentives.
??Best,
-- Address: Allen Wilkinson (cell) (216) 548-2349 1286 Yellowstone Road retired NASA Glenn scientist Cleveland Heights, OH 44121 USA (INTERNET) aw(at)chaff(dot)biz "It is the thoughts we don't have that get us in life." +++++++
Original Message:
Sent: 6/22/2023 4:32:00 PM
From: Ella Nielsen
Subject: RE: current PV install cost per watt ?
Hi Allen,
Thanks so much for your post on the Online Community!
According to EnergySage, as of June 2023, the average solar panel cost in Ohio is $2.87/W. Given a solar panel system size of 10 kilowatts (kW), an average solar installation in Ohio ranges in cost around $28,700. After accounting for the 30% federal investment tax credit (ITC) and other state and local solar incentives, the net price you'll pay for solar can fall by thousands of dollars; in this case, EnergySage says ~$21,238. I'm assuming for a 20kW system, it would be double this, but I would check in with other ASES members. @John Burke do you have any insight on this?
Ohio rebates, the Database for State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency has a whole section on specific current solar rebates.
I hope this helps! Please let me know if I can provide any additional information.
All the best,
Ella
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Ella Nielsen
Membership & Engagement Manager
American Solar Energy Society
Boulder CO
Original Message:
Sent: 06-22-2023 04:07 AM
From: Allen Wilkinson
Subject: current PV install cost per watt ?
With all the new demand for solar PV what is the range of cost per watt of a roughly 20kW system in Ohio (Northeast Ohio)?
Looking for the cost/Watt before any rebates are allowed for. This is related to an install at a church.
Thanks,
-- Address: Allen Wilkinson (cell) (216) 548-2349 1286 Yellowstone Road retired NASA Glenn scientist Cleveland Heights, OH 44121 USA (INTERNET) aw(at)chaff(dot)biz "It is the thoughts we don't have that get us in life." +++++++