Best 5 Solar Companies in Waterbury, CT

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Waterbury

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and cost-efficient solar array. Make your choice based on the following essential elements.

Licensing and Training

In Connecticut, an installer meeting minimum experience requirements can take an exam to become a licensed solar PV or thermal contractor. Once they're licensed, they'll need to enroll with the state's Clean Energy Fund, so their customers can earn incentives. Check a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar industry's most credible trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Waterbury

Your solar panels' type will affect how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

If you want to charge an electric car or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By choosing the right components, you can make your panel array more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors provide these add-ons, so look for a company that sells them if it's important for you.

If you're a resident of Waterbury and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $18,750 for materials and labor. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Waterbury

Choosing the optimal financing solution will impact your overall solar system cost and potential savings. Common payment options include cash payments, loans, leases, and power purchase agreements. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a home or auto loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) allows you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for installers that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your wallet.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Waterbury.

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, utilities and local governments may have their own financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.