New Jersey is one of the top states for solar, ranking #11 overall. A recent report indicates as many as 682,696 homes are powered by solar. If you’re looking to lower your electric bills by installing solar in your own home, here are the seven best solar companies in New Jersey to save you money.
Sunrun
Sunrun is an established solar company, and they were one of the first to offer a leasing program for new solar consumers. Customers have the option to make a monthly lease payment or to prepay a 25-year lease. If you choose the latter, you can also receive ongoing maintenance and monitoring included in the cost. Don’t want to lease? That’s okay! You can still own your solar panels by purchasing the system outright or applying for in-house financing.
In addition to its 25-year performance warranty, Sunrun offers a “bumper-to-bumper” system warranty. This warranty provides free equipment replacement and system repairs for ten years. This is a great option for people who live where the weather can be unpredictable.
The company typically uses LG solar panels, which also come with a 25-year guarantee. These solar panels also include system monitoring and you can use Sunrun’s mobile app to ensure they’re working properly.
ADT Solar
ADT is a well-known name when it comes to home security, but did you know they also provide solar solutions? ADT purchased Sunpro Solar in 2021, and the company was rebranded as ADT Solar. They offer one of the best warranty packages available, which includes a 25-year solar power guarantee that promises your system will save you money. They also offer a 25-year workmanship warranty.
Also, ADT Solar is a large company that offers solar installation across the United States. But, they are also highly rated by customers, and work with licensed and bonded professionals only.
ADT Solar works with LG, Canadian Solar, QCells, Enphase, and Tesla — just to name a few options. So you’re bound to find a system that works well for you.
ADT Solar does offer financing options, including solar leases, or power purchase agreements (PPA). Customers have noted that ADT is usually more affordable than other large companies like SunPower, so they are definitely worth checking out.
Palmetto
While Palmetto is a Florida-based company, they offer solar panel installation across the east coast, including in New Jersey. Not only do they offer some great warranties, but they also offer the Palmetto Protect plan. If your actual energy output is less than 95% of the verified energy estimate, they will send you a check to cover the difference. You also have access to active monitoring via an app to ensure your solar panels are clean and efficient. Along with solar system installs, you can also work with Palmetto for pest abatement, panel cleaning, and backup batteries.
Another perk is that they have an online savings calculator, so you can know how much money you’ll save over the years. They have an online quote option via a virtual visit, so you don’t have to talk to someone for hours just to see what you may need and how much it will cost.
Similar to ADT Solar, Palmetto offers a 25-year performance warranty, which is higher than the national average of 10-15 years. Their website states they offer a variety of financing options to meet customers’ budgets and savings goals and they note more than 80% of their customers are able to finance their solar systems with no money down.
Tesla Solar
Tesla is primarily known for the performance of their electric vehicles, but their solar panels are made with the same effectiveness in mind. Tesla’s panels have amazing performance specifications and an above-average efficiency rating. These panels also come with features like “StormWatch,” a feature that automatically reallocates your battery storage and charges your batteries to prepare for a major storm.
While Tesla products can be expensive, Tesla Solar does offer price matching for the panels, so you can pay less for a system installed by them. However, Tesla only installs its own panels, so you won’t get panels specifically tailored to your home, and you won’t be able to choose between different systems.
Telsa does outsource all installations to third-party companies, so customer service can vary widely. However, it’s important to note that each of these third parties is insured, bonded, and certified. Luckily, Tesla offers multiple payment options, including PPAs.
Last but not least, Tesla offers a 25-year warranty on panel performance. They also offer a 10-Year comprehensive warranty that covers your entire Tesla solar system. Both warranties include any related labor.
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Impact Solar, LLC
If your budget is a main concern for you when it comes to installing solar, choosing a local company like Impact Solar can be a great choice. Impact Solar is based in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and the company serves Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, and Mercer County, plus other surrounding communities. Reviews suggest they offer lower than normal prices but still install quality equipment. They’re able to offer additional savings because they focus on installing panels and batteries.
They also only work with their own installers, and no third parties, which also allows them to cut costs that they pass on to their customers. These technicians are NABCEP-certified (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners). Plus the company still offers a 25-year workmanship warranty, which is above average.
Another way you can save money is to utilize Impact Solar’s referral program. For every customer you refer, you can receive $500. This is a great way to lower the cost of your installation! However, they don’t accept leases or power purchase agreements, so you’ll need to look into other options for financing.
Impact Solar works with many different manufacturers for panels — including QCells, SolarEdge, Hyundai, and Panasonic, just to name a few. They also offer Enphase and LG Chem batteries. Plus, if you need squirrel or snow guards, you can get those installed too.
Momentum Solar
Momentum Solar is a regional company that provides services to New Jersey residents. They offer terrific service with trained in-house technicians. Each state they provide service to has local technicians that understand the weather conditions to help consumers make the best decision for their homes.
A huge perk of working with Momentum Solar is that you’ll work with one representative throughout your solar installation process. This includes pre-installation and post-installation. So you won’t be passed around from person to person should you need assistance.
Momentum Solar offers all four major payment options, including leases and PPAs. Plus, they work with a multitude of companies, including Enphase, so you can pick and choose what you want and how much you can pay with ease.
The company also has a robust warranty, which includes a 25-year warranty for the equipment, panels, and even workmanship.
How to Save Money When Hiring a Solar Company in New Jersey
There are many different ways to save money when working with a solar company. Here are just a few.
Utilize Tax Incentives & Rebates
Whether it be state or federal incentives, you may qualify for many different options, including rebates or tax breaks. So be sure to talk to your solar installation company about what you may qualify for. Most companies have representatives who can walk you through this process.
Get Multiple Quotes
Solar companies offer free quotes, so don’t be afraid to get at least three quotes. Then, choose the company that meets your needs and stays within budget. Also, you may be able to get different quotes from a single company, depending on the batteries and solar panels you want.
Ask About A Referral Program
Some companies do offer money off your installation or money back if you refer new customers to them. So don’t be afraid to ask if the company you’re working with offers this option.
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What to Consider Before Hiring a Company
Before working with a specific solar company, let’s talk about what you need to keep in mind.
Certifications and Qualifications
Whichever business you choose to work with, they need to be fully licensed, bonded, and insured according to your state’s requirements. Plus, certifications like NABCEP or Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) are national standards that many technicians have. So if they have one of those certifications, even better.
Warranty Options
New Jersey can have harsh weather, with lots of rain and wind. Having a warranty is a must-have because you’ll want to protect your system from damage. So ensure that the company you use offers at least 20 years of product warranty. Bonus points if they include a longer workmanship warranty!
Ratings
While reviews are incredibly important, it’s also important to look into the ratings of a company. Sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) rate these companies based on reviews, potential complaints, and more. So if you want to make sure a company is legitimate, look into their ratings online.
Are Solar Panels Worth it in New Jersey?
Yes, solar panels are typically worth it in the state. And luckily, there are many programs that make getting a solar system more affordable. Here’s what you need to know.
The Federal Solar Tax Credit
If you buy and install a brand-new, qualified solar system between 2022 and 2033, you may qualify for the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit. This can save you 30% off of your installation. You can claim the credit on your tax returns, and you can claim it every year until you reach the max allowed. The average cost of a solar installation in New Jersey after the federal tax credit is just $10,745. With the other incentives offered by the state, the system will pay for itself sooner than you might think.
Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program
Under the SuSI program, New Jersey offers an incentive called Transition Renewable Energy Credit (TREC). You can earn money back for each megawatt-hour (mWh) of electricity your system generates. Each mWh is one TREC. New Jersey has a fixed rate of $90 per TREC. On average, homeowners can expect to generate around 8 TRECs per year, which will provide around $700 of extra income each year for the first fifteen years. However, the program only accepts a limited number of users, so you’ll need to apply for the program as soon as you have your solar system completed.
Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption
Along with other states, New Jersey offers a sales tax exemption for new solar installs. So even though you’ll install a solar system, you won’t have to pay the 6.625% sales tax on it.
Property Tax Exemption
Along with being exempt from the sales tax, you’ll also get a property tax exemption. While you typically need to pay more property tax when you increase your home’s value, you don’t have to do that when installing a solar system.
The Best Solar Companies in New Jersey To Save You Money Wrap Up
No matter who you choose, we’ve listed the best solar companies in New Jersey that offer you affordability, warranties, and security. These highly rated companies are a great place to start if you want to make the switch to solar!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Chatchawal Phumkaew/Shutterstock.com.
