5 Best Solar Companies in New Jersey (2024): Expert Reviewed
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With over 250 solar companies throughout the state, picking the right New Jersey solar company can be daunting. We recommend Solar Energy World for New Jersey homeowners. The company provides several solar panel options, for excellent system customization.
If Momentum Solar isn’t right for you, our guide includes several other options and their pros and cons. Our team spent 60 hours researching leading solar panel installers serving the Garden State to help you choose the best one for your home.
Key Takeaways
- The best solar company in New Jersey is Momentum Solar due to its strong installation process.
- New Jersey is one of the few states that offers net metering at retail rates. This allows solar owners to sell excess energy back to their utility for credits on their power bill for a better value than most other states.
- The average solar system in New Jersey costs $29,416 before taking advantage of solar incentives, such as New Jersey’s solar sales tax and property tax exemptions.
Compare Solar Companies Across New Jersey
New Jersey’s Top Solar Energy Companies
We evaluated New Jersey’s most popular solar companies using our methodology that looks at inventory, product performance, warranty coverage, experience, certifications, financing options, Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, and more. Our list consists of the brands that scored highest in these categories.
Our Top Solar Company Picks
The following solar brands earned four or more stars when tested against our methodology:
Momentum
Best Installation Process
Venture Solar
Best Northeast Regional Installer
Solar Energy World
Best East Coast Installer
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
What Solar Incentives Are Available in New Jersey?
The state of New Jersey provides a few federal and state solar incentives to help offset solar panel costs. Here’s an overview of available New Jersey solar incentives for homeowners as the costs of solar panels in New Jersey are different than other states.
- Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems: This exemption allows homeowners to benefit from the added home value of solar panels without increasing property tax. Residents receive a 100% property tax exemption for new solar solution
- Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program: This program works similarly to solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) that offer payouts for your generated energy. New Jersey’s SuSI Program, or SREC-II, provides one energy credit for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) your system generates. Homeowners can then sell these credits for a $90 fixed payout rate.
- Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption: New Jersey residents also receive a sales tax exemption for their solar equipment. You won’t pay the state’s 6.625% rate on solar-related purchases, helping reduce installation costs.
- Federal solar tax credit: Qualifying residents can receive a credit for up to 30% of New Jersey solar system costs. This credit applies to help reduce or eliminate owned federal taxes. New Jersey residents must own their solar energy system to qualify for these savings.
- Net metering: With net metering, residents earn energy bill credits for sending their excess energy back to the power grid. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJ-BPU) mandates net metering for all utility companies. Homeowners receive one credit for their returned electricity at the full retail electricity rate.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
If you plan to go solar, it’s important to compare solar installation companies to find the best fit for your needs. Keep the following factors in mind when shopping for your solar provider.
Solar Services
Typically, solar companies use in-house or third-party contractors for their installations. In-house installers work directly for the company. They often have better communication and solar installation quality, leading to fewer problems during installation. With third-party teams, companies have contracts with local installers, leading to varying installation quality by area. You may have separate contacts between the installers and solar providers, leading to more complicated communication. We recommend choosing an installer with an in-house team.
Some providers offer additional perks and benefits beyond installation services. These solar services could include system monitoring or dedicated apps that improve system performance. Companies may also provide home upgrade services like energy audits or roofing services. We’ve listed some typical solar services below:
- Dedicated mobile app or web portal
- Electrical, pest, or roofing services
- Energy efficiency audits and upgrades
- Home energy monitoring equipment
- Smart home upgrades
- Solar system monitoring
Choosing a solar provider that offers a range of services is beneficial considering that 76% of our survey takers reported needing additional home services to prep for their solar installation. Roughly 52% said they needed roof repair, 37% said they needed a full roof replacement, and 35% needed tree removal.
Warranties
Many solar panels have an average life span of 25 years, so you’ll want warranty coverage to match that life expectancy. Many high-quality residential panels have warranty coverage for 25 years or longer, while cheaper solar panels receive coverage for 15 years or less. Solar companies usually offer one or more warranty plans for your panels and components. We’ve outlined the typical warranty types below:
- Manufacturer’s (or product) warranty: This plan protects your system against manufacturing defects.
- Workmanship (or labor) warranty: This coverage includes any installation-related issues.
- Power performance guarantee: This plan guarantees a certain energy production level through your system’s lifetime and includes repair or replacements when your panels fall below those specifications.
You’ll find that warranty length, coverage, and availability varies between solar providers. We recommend reviewing each company’s warranty offerings for the best system protection.
Payment Options
Companies offer two or more ways to pay for solar projects. Certain payment options, such as cash payments and solar loans, grant you full system ownership. This ownership qualifies you for federal and state solar incentives that help lower your initial solar investment. Below is an overview of the most common financing options:
- Upfront (or cash) payments: Homeowners pay the full system costs upfront. Nearly half of our survey respondents chose this option.
- Solar loans: With a solar loan, after making an initial payment, you’ll continue monthly payments until you pay for your system. Around 23% of our survey takers financed their system with this option.
- Solar leases: Leasing allows you to make monthly payments to “rent” the system from the provider. This means you won’t own your system or qualify for any solar incentives. Nearly 11% of those surveyed chose solar leasing.
- Power purchase agreements (PPAs): A PPA allows homeowners to make monthly payments for their solar energy use, not the system. Again, you won’t own anything or qualify for solar incentives, though 17% of our survey takers still chose this route.
Quick Tip
- Under solar lease and PPA plans, the solar provider owns the system, disqualifying you from solar incentive savings. Homeowners should only consider leasing options if they cannot or don’t want to own their system. Otherwise, we recommend choosing up-front payments or solar loans for the best return on investment.
Customer Support
Consider solar companies that offer multiple contact options with their customer support team. Your selected company should offer one or more of the following options:
- Phone
- In-app communications
- Online chat
- Online forms
- Text messaging
Check third-party review sites for ongoing complaints about unreturned calls, unfriendly representatives, and delayed responses.
What Is the Best Way To Get a Solar Quote in New Jersey?
We recommend requesting free quotes from several solar installers and comparing product catalogs, warranty lengths, and pricing. We’ve outlined a typical solar quote process to help you prepare for your solar consultations.
- Schedule a solar consultation: Reach out to each solar installer and schedule a virtual or in-person consultation. Set aside two hours for each appointment.
- Have your latest electric bill handy: Most installers request your latest energy bill to determine your average electricity use. This information helps them build a system that matches your household energy needs.
- Review your roof design: The consultant will conduct an in-person or virtual roof assessment to gauge available space and identify any restrictive design elements. They will also choose the ideal placement for your solar panels.
- Design your solar panel system: The solar installer will design your system after completing their assessments. During this step, you can choose your solar panel type, components, and add-ons, such as solar batteries and EV chargers.
- Review your final quote: You’ll receive a final quote and contract for your new system. Your quote should outline your system equipment with costs, labor charges, and warranty coverage. You’ll also receive financing details and an estimated solar payback period. Compare each complete quote to find the best offer.
Our Conclusion
We selected Solar Energy World as the top pick for New Jersey solar providers because of its highly customizable solar systems.
If you’re interested in getting a solar lease, In our review of Sunrun we found they may be a more competitive option. If you’re after a sleek, modern look, Tesla may be better. As you search for the right solar company, we recommend getting quotes from at least three providers to compare pricing. We also suggest reading customer reviews and noting any negative feedback about the aspects that matter most to you.
Other New Jersey Home Service Resources
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Companies in NJ
Is it worth getting solar in New Jersey?
Yes, solar panel installation in New Jersey is worth it. The state offers several solar incentives to help lower installation costs and provide long-term savings on your solar investment. New Jersey receives around 206 sunny days each year, making it an ideal environment for solar. In addition, moving to solar helps reduce your electricity costs and provides a clean energy source for your home.
What is the average cost for solar in New Jersey?
On average, New Jersey residents pay $2.9 per watt according to EnergySage. That’s roughly $14,480 for a 5-kilowatt system. These prices don’t include additional savings from federal and state solar incentives. System costs may vary based on home energy needs, system size, and solar provider.
Does New Jersey offer a state solar tax credit?
No, New Jersey doesn’t offer a state solar tax credit. However, homeowners can save money on installation using the 30% federal tax credit and additional incentives, including the Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
