Best 5 Solar Companies in Bloomfield, NJ

Bloomfield homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to produce their electricity and heat their water. While going solar comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $750 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional installation team can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. On this page, we'll showcase Bloomfield's best solar providers and offer insightful advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

We reviewed dozens of Bloomfield solar providers, using the following criteria to determine the top-notch:

• Customer feedback and reviews: Most Bloomfield solar providers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Professional licensure and experience: Each provider on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Bloomfield community for a decade or longer.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar installers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The top solar companies keep up with new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and improve its performance.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers multiple benefits. Let's look at a few of them.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during grid outages and storms.
• Lowered energy bills: You can avoid the added cost of grid-tied power by creating some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states offer net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to help pay for your energy bill.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Bloomfield Homeowners?

Governments and power companies often reward homeowners for going solar. Here are some of the tax credits, rebates, or other programs you could qualify for.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Bloomfield

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

Licensing and Training

Licensing requirements mean that your New Jersey solar installation team will likely have a variety of different professionals, including an electrician for wiring work and a master plumber for piping work. The master-level professionals on the team will also handle permit work for the job. Check a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar industry's most trusted trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Bloomfield

Your solar panels' type will influence how much power you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

Additional accessories, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery storage, will raise your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar contractor provides these add-ons, so look for a company that sells them if it's essential for you.

Generally speaking, it will cost about $17,650 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Bloomfield. This table lists more specific costs for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Bloomfield

There are numerous ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs), leases, and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Similar to an auto or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to use your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. We advise working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each salesperson about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your budget.

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

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on the full cost of the solar system, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Local governments and utilities might also offer their own rebates, incentives, and financing programs that could save you more money.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy