Best 5 Solar Companies in Jersey City, NJ

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Jersey City

The more informed your provider search is, the better your solar system will ultimately work. Here are some essential aspects to keep in mind while searching for a solar installer.

Licensing and Training

Licensing requirements mean that your New Jersey solar installation team may have a variety of different professionals, including a master plumber for piping work and an electrician for wiring work. The master-level 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 prestigious are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, granted 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 Jersey City

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels provide a lower price point but produce less power. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

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

Most Jersey City 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 Jersey City

There are a plethora of ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include cash payments, leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and loans. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most affordable choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the second most effective option. As with a car loan or mortgage, 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 allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in specific circumstances. Look for companies 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 Jersey City.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal solar tax credit on your new solar panels, so long as you purchase it before 2032. City and state governments and utilities might also offer their own incentives, financing programs, and rebates that could save you more money.