Best 5 Solar Companies in Gloucester, NJ

With Gloucester's clear skies and little rainfall, it's a perfect area for homeowners and businesses seeking to harness the extra sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. With all the options to choose from in this vibrant community, you might feel overwhelmed searching for an excellent contractor. On this page, we'll show you Gloucester's top solar providers and provide valuable advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

We analyzed dozens of Gloucester solar providers, using the following criteria to choose the finest:

• Panel quality and brand offerings: The premier solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and optimize its performance.
• Feedback and reviews from customers: Most Gloucester solar installers 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 installer on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Gloucester community for more than a decade.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar providers should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy has numerous advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using solar is a surefire way to lower your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Lowered energy bills: You can skip the added cost of grid-tied power by producing 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.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during storms and grid outages.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Gloucester Homeowners?

The state of New Jersey offers a number of solar incentives to help minimize your solar system costs. Here's a breakdown of available solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Gloucester

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar energy system. Here are some key items to bear in mind while shopping for a solar company.

Licensing and Training

Licensing requirements mean that your New Jersey solar installation team may have a variety of different professionals, including an electrician for wiring work and a master plumber for piping work. The most senior professionals on the team will also handle permit work for the job. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most respected are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, awarded by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Gloucester

The style of solar panels you purchase dictates how much power you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.

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

Most Gloucester homeowners choose solar systems designed for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $17,650 to install, considering both materials and labor. You can see more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Gloucester

There are numerous ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), cash payments, loans, and leases. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a car or home 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 let you use your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, much like 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 a provider that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each salesperson about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your financial plan.

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

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar power systems until the year 2032. Municipal and state governments and utility companies might also offer discounts, rebates, and unique financing solutions that could save you more.

Sources

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