The Best Solar Companies in New Jersey of 2023

From Cape May to Clifton, more and more homeowners want to go green in the Garden State—and hiring one of the best solar companies in NJ can help make it happen.

By Sabrina Serani | Updated Apr 20, 2023 2:47 PM

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The Best Solar Companies in New Jersey Options

Photo: istockphoto.com

With 130 miles of coastline and over 200 days of sunshine per year, it’s no surprise that New Jersey ranks eighth in the country for solar. By installing a solar array, Garden State residents can benefit from reduced energy bills and reduce fossil fuel dependency. But solar is a fast-growing industry, and it’s wise for homeowners to research their options before signing a contract with a solar company in New Jersey. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best solar companies in NJ, along with some tips to help New Jersey homeowners navigate the solar installation process.

  1. BEST OVERALL: SunPower
  2. RUNNER-UP: ADT Solar
  3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Tesla
  4. BEST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: Momentum Solar
  5. ALSO CONSIDER: Green Power Energy
The Best Solar Companies in New Jersey Options

Photo: istockphoto.com

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Solar Companies in NJ

There’s a lot to consider when considering installing solar and shopping for one of the best NJ solar companies to do the job. Here, we’ve highlighted some of the most significant factors homeowners from Howell to Hoboken will want to consider during this process.

Home Location and Roof Type

The first consideration for a homeowner thinking about installing a solar array is their home—specifically, the direction their home faces, the angle of the roof, and the roof material.

In the northern hemisphere, it’s ideal to install solar panels on a south-facing roof. Because of Earth’s tilt, the sun travels in a slightly southern path, not straight across the sky. A south-facing roof ensures that a home receives the maximum amount of sunlight year-round. Southeast and southwest are the next best possibilities for a home’s direction, as those roofs will still capture some of the southerly path of the sun. However, it’s not impossible to mount panels on roofs facing other directions; the power generation may just not be as optimal.

A 30- to 45-degree mounting angle ensures optimal sun exposure for solar panels. If a roof is flat, solar panels are typically mounted on a bracket that tilts the panels up to 30 degrees. Extremely steep roofs can still have solar panels mounted, but it may not be possible for the panels to capture enough sunlight for the home to become energy independent.

It’s possible to mount a solar array on any kind of roof material—but some types may be easier to work with than others. Composite shingles are durable and hold up well to the installation process, and standing seams on metal roofs minimize the amount of drilling and modifications needed. Tile roofs can present a bit more of a challenge; since each tile has some irregularities, it may take more time (and cost more in labor) to install a solar array.

Type of Panels and Efficiency

The two main types of solar panels used for powering homes are monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline is more efficient (meaning it is able to turn more sunlight into usable electricity) but also more expensive, while polycrystalline is more affordable but compromises power production. It’s possible to tell the difference between the two by the color: monocrystalline panels will be pure black, while polycrystalline panels appear blue. The type of panel a homeowner opts for will ultimately come down to their budget and power-production goals. An experienced New Jersey solar installer can help guide a homeowner to the right decision.

One distinction to note is that the efficiency of an individual solar cell is not the same as the efficiency of a panel. A solar cell is part of a solar panel, and a cell could have over 40 percent efficiency on its own. However, entire panels will have lower efficiency. Monocrystalline panels typically max out around 23 percent efficiency, while polycrystalline panels reach an efficiency of about 16 percent. Researchers at the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) have created a solar panel with almost 40 percent efficiency, but this technology still isn’t ready for the public.

There’s another type of panel to note: thin film. These panels are (as the name suggests) thin, flexible, and lightweight, but they’re even less efficient than polycrystalline. Thin-film solar panels also have the shortest lifespan of 10 to 20 years compared to the 25-year-plus lifespan of their monocrystalline and polycrystalline counterparts. Because of their lower efficiency, more would be required to power a home fully—and most roofs won’t have the space to accommodate the number of panels required. However, thin-film panels can be used as supplemental power production and are beneficial for homes that have unusually shaped roofs that may not be suitable for traditional panels.

On-Grid vs. Off-Grid

Another significant decision that homeowners have to consider when installing a solar system is whether or not they want the home to be connected to the local power grid. A home with a solar panel array still connected to the municipal grid is called on-grid or grid-tied. If it’s cloudy and the solar system can’t produce enough electricity to power the home fully, a grid-tied home can still pull power from the grid. However, if there’s a local power outage, the home can’t rely on its solar array—a grid-tied home will also experience an outage. This is a safety precaution so that electricity is not flowing into lines that utility technicians may be working on.

Off-grid homes are completely energy independent, meaning they’re responsible for generating all the power the home needs. Off-grid homes often rely on solar batteries to store excess energy and power the home during the night or when there’s cloud cover. They’ll also rely on one of the best solar charge controllers to regulate energy flow. Off-grid homes can still have power if there’s a local outage. However, the home will be without power if the batteries are depleted and the panels can’t produce any electricity.

Some regions and homes are better suited for off-grid solar systems than others, and an experienced solar installer can help homeowners make the decision.

Financing, Rebates, and Tax Incentives

The average cost to install a solar system in New Jersey is about $15,000, and not every homeowner has that lump sum of money readily available. The financing options available to a homeowner will, in part, depend on where they live. In New Jersey, homeowners have three financing options: a solar loan, a solar lease, or a power purchase agreement (PPA).

  • Solar loan: A homeowner borrows money from a lender or solar developer to purchase and install a solar system. In this situation, the homeowner owns the system, but it’s still subject to a lien or lender security interest. Homeowners with one of the best solar panel loans are eligible for tax incentives. However, not every homeowner will be eligible for a loan, and the homeowner is totally responsible for any maintenance costs.
  • Solar lease: A homeowner enters into a contract with a solar leasing company or developer. The homeowner makes regular payments and, in exchange, receives the energy the panels produce. Some contracts may require the homeowner to make a down payment. At first, the lease payments are often less than the value of the power being generated. However, payments for solar leases often escalate as time goes on. Eventually, the cost of the payment may be greater than the value of the power being produced. This option is attractive because there’s little to no up-front cost and the solar developer is in charge of any maintenance. However, homeowners may not be eligible for tax incentives, and there may be restrictions if a homeowner wants to add new construction (e.g., if the homeowner wanted to build a new addition that would block the panels from getting light).
  • Power purchase agreement (PPA): A PPA is similar to a solar lease. The solar company buys and installs the solar system, and the homeowner pays the company per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the energy that’s produced. A homeowner typically pays less for the solar energy than they would buying the equivalent amount from the utility. However, the PPA rate generally increases over time. The advantages and disadvantages are similar to those of a solar lease.

Solar panel installation in NJ can be made even more affordable with federal and state tax incentives.

  • Federal investment tax credit (ITC): For solar systems installed between 2023 and 2032, homeowners are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit. So, for example, if the solar system cost $10,000, the homeowner can obtain a $3,000 reduction on their federal income taxes. Solar leases and PPAs do not qualify for this credit.
  • Net metering: Homeowners are able to sell excess power back to the energy company in New Jersey.
  • Solar sales tax exemption: Home solar systems are not subject to New Jersey’s 6.625 percent sales and use tax.
  • Property tax exemption: The installation of solar panels does not raise a homeowner’s property taxes.
  • Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program: For every megawatt-hour (mWh) a home solar system creates, the homeowner earns one solar renewable energy credit or certificate (SREC). Homeowners can then sell these credits to utilities. Utility companies have to buy a certain amount of SRECs per year to meet state sustainability guidelines. Solar leases and PPAs do not qualify for this program.

Guarantees

Like traditional home improvement projects, solar arrays often come with a labor warranty to cover any issues resulting from the actual installation work. These labor warranties can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years. The panels themselves will also come with a manufacturer warranty, often for about 25 years. Finally, many solar companies in New Jersey offer a power- production guarantee, wherein the solar system is guaranteed to output a certain level of energy for the guarantee term, often 20 to 25 years.

Customer Support

Top-rated solar companies with multiple avenues of customer support often have higher customer satisfaction rates, as it’s easier to get in touch with a representative when there are questions or issues. Offering customer support over the phone is standard for many of these companies, but sometimes it can be difficult to get a real person on the line in a timely fashion. Some customers may prefer to email the company so there is a digital paper trail of conversation.

Our Top Picks

We’ve evaluated dozens of solar installers in NJ to find the ones that are the cream of the Garden State crop. We consider these five to be top solar companies in NJ.

Best Overall

Photo: sunpower.com

Why It Made the Cut: SunPower is one of the country’s largest solar installers, and for good reason—the company makes some of the best solar panels on the market.

Homeowners looking for the most efficient solar panels will want to check out SunPower. The proprietary Maxeon monocrystalline panels have a 22.8 percent efficiency rating—the highest on the market. The panels have Cradle to Cradle certification, which accounts for material health, product circularity, social fairness, water and soil stewardship, and clean air and climate protection. This signals SunPower’s commitment to sustainability. Homeowners can use SunPower’s interactive design-studio feature to plan what a solar array will look like on their homes. The panels are sleek and low profile, thanks to incorporated microinverters that don’t add any additional visual bulk. Interested customers can reach out to the company by phone.

Specs

  • Type of panels: SunPower Maxeon monocrystalline
  • Payment options: Buy, finance, lease
  • Guarantee: 25-year complete-system warranty
  • Customer support: Phone

Pros

  • High 22.8 percent efficiency rate
  • Cradle to Cradle–certified equipment
  • Interactive online design-studio feature
  • Sleek solar panel design with built-in microinverters

Cons

  • Customer service only available by phone

Runner-Up

The Best Solar Companies in New Jersey Option ADT Solar
Photo: goadtsolar.com

Why It Made the Cut: ADT Solar offers the reliability of its parent security company with 24/7 monitoring and a power-production guarantee.

ADT is known as a security company, but it ventured into the solar game when it acquired Sunpro Solar in 2021. ADT Solar offers a standout 25-year power-production guarantee wherein the solar system is guaranteed to maintain its energy output for a quarter of a century. The 24/7 solar monitoring feature also ensures that, if the solar system goes down, the homeowner will know about it immediately—not when the electricity bill comes, and the homeowner realizes that the house hasn’t been generating power. ADT Solar works with top-of-the-line panel brands, including Q Cells, Silfab, and Canadian Solar. It also offers battery storage (however, customers will have to reach out to a company representative to learn about the warranty terms for both panels and batteries). And if the roof needs some repairs before panels can be installed, ADT Solar’s sister company Buildpro can handle them.

Specs

  • Type of panels: Q Cells, Silfab, Canadian Solar
  • Payment options: Buy, finance, lease
  • Guarantee: 25-year power-production guarantee
  • Customer support: Phone, email

Pros

  • Generous 25-year power-production guarantee
  • 24/7 solar monitoring
  • Additional roofing repair services available

Cons

  • Warranty information on battery not readily available online

Best Bang for the Buck

The Best Solar Companies in New Jersey Option Tesla
Photo: tesla.com

Why It Made the Cut: Tesla might not come to mind first as an affordable option, but the company’s price-match guarantee changes that perception.

Tesla is a powerhouse when it comes to developing innovative and attractive sustainable technology, and its solar offerings fit the bill. Customers can buy or finance traditional solar panels or solar tiles, which are much thinner and smaller than panels and are installed like roof shingles would be. The proprietary solar tiles are ideal for anyone who wants to go solar but doesn’t want to compromise aesthetics. Customers can get an instant quote online, and Tesla offers a price-match guarantee on a per-watt basis for recent quotes on similar systems.

Specs

  • Type of panels: Tesla monocrystalline
  • Payment options: Buy, finance
  • Guarantee: 25-year performance guarantee, 10-year comprehensive warranty
  • Customer support: Live chat

Pros

  • Traditional solar panels and sleek solar tiles available
  • Generous price-match guarantee
  • Instant online quotes available

Cons

  • No solar lease option

Best Customer Experience

The Best Solar Companies in New Jersey Option Momentum Solar
Photo: momentumsolar.com

Why It Made the Cut: With its all-in-one concierge service, going solar is a breeze with Momentum Solar.

Those looking for support from engaged company representatives throughout the process of going solar will want to consider Momentum Solar. This company offers a “concierge” service: homeowners work with a representative from consultation through installation so the customer always has a contact aware of all the project details. The company will also handle all paperwork for the customer, including applying for rebates and tax incentives, which can make a stressful, overwhelming process much easier to manage. Customers can reach out to a customer support representative by phone or email with any questions about Momentum’s offerings or services.

Specs

  • Type of panels: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers)
  • Payment options: Buy, finance, lease
  • Guarantee: 25-year equipment and labor warranty
  • Customer support: Phone, email

Pros

  • Streamlined “concierge” service offered
  • All paperwork and permits handled on behalf of the customer

Cons

  • Somewhat limited information available online

Also Consider

The Best Solar Companies in New Jersey Option Green Power Energy
Photo: greenpowerenergy.com

Why It Made the Cut: Customers looking for one of the best New Jersey solar companies will be impressed by Green Power Energy’s innovative microgrid system.

Green Power Energy uses all of its own technicians and no subcontractors on every installation project, meaning that customers can feel secure that the company will take accountability if anything goes wrong. The company also installs electric vehicle (EV) chargers, so if a homeowner is considering both a solar array and charger system, they can bundle those projects through one company. Green Power Energy is also notable because of microgrids made from Enphase IQ8+ microinverters that can power a home through outages. Some customers have reported subpar support services; the company operates through several states, so customers will want to make sure they’re contacting the correct branch if they need to reach a company representative.

Specs

  • Type of panels: Panasonic, Q Cells, REC, Solaria, Silfab
  • Payment options: Buy, finance, lease
  • Guarantee: 25-year equipment and labor warranty
  • Customer support: Phone, email

Pros

  • Innovative on-site microgrid system
  • EV charger installation available
  • Entirely insourced labor

Cons

  • Reports of unresponsive customer support

Our Verdict

With panels that have industry-leading efficiency and state-of-the-art design, SunPower is a standout choice as one of the best solar companies in New Jersey. Customers looking for 24/7 solar monitoring will enjoy ADT Solar’s suite of services.

How We Chose the Best Solar Companies in NJ

We considered dozens of companies either based or with a presence in New Jersey. We evaluated the types of panels available, financing options, guarantees, customer support availability, and any unique features that set the company apart from the crowd. Companies that did not meet our criteria did not make the cut. We narrowed down our selection by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of working with specific companies, ranked them accordingly, and provided awards based on individual strengths.

Before You Work With One of the Best Solar Companies in NJ

There are a few things homeowners will want to evaluate before scheduling a consultation with a solar installer. The first is whether the roof needs any repairs. Making sure the roof is in its best condition with no gaps or weak spots is essential to ensuring that a solar array is secure and doesn’t cause any damage. It’s also wise to check the homeowners insurance policy to ensure solar panels are covered. Also, homeowners will want to be aware that solar panels will need maintenance (like regular cleaning from one of the best solar panel cleaning services), and they’ll be on the hook for that maintenance if they buy the system outright or take out a loan.

Customers can also consider if they want additional solar-powered home improvements made at the same time they’re having solar panels installed. These can include installing solar-powered products like one of the best solar generators. Many companies that install solar panels can also install these appliances.

Cost of Working With One of the Best Solar Companies in NJ

The average cost of solar panels in New Jersey is $2.95 per watt or between $12,538 and $16,962 for the entire system. This price could be thousands of dollars lower for those who qualify for the federal investment tax credit (ITC). By investing in solar, New Jersey homeowners can expect to save an average of over $34,000 in 20 years (versus paying for an equivalent amount of energy through the utility).

The Advantages of Working With One of the Best Solar Companies in NJ

From New Brunswick to Newark, homeowners across the state can take advantage of solar energy by working with a top solar contractor.

  • Generating electricity means a homeowner can save on utility bills.
  • New Jersey’s solar programs, including net metering and the SuSI program, allow homeowners to sell their excess energy or SRECs to offset other household expenses.
  • Homes with solar battery storage won’t be affected by power outages.
  • Solar panels add value to a home.

FAQs

For homeowners from Atlantic City to Asbury Park who still have questions about going solar, here are some answers to the most popular questions.

Q. Does New Jersey have enough sunny days for solar panels?

Yes. Since New Jersey enjoys over 200 days of sun each year, homeowners can benefit from installing solar panels.

Q. How much do I pay for solar panels in New Jersey on average?

The average cost for solar panels in New Jersey is about $15,000. New Jersey has a renewable energy incentive program that can make installing a solar system even more affordable.

Q. Does New Jersey require any legal permits for installing solar panels?

Permits may be required for solar panel installation in New Jersey. Your solar installer will be aware of the right permits to pull, and homeowners can check with their local building departments.

Q. What do I need to do before installing my solar panels in New Jersey?

Before installing a solar system, it’s wise to ensure the home is as energy efficient as possible so that homeowners experience the biggest benefit once the system is in place. Installing new insulation, sealing windows, replacing incandescent bulbs, and changing to a smart thermostat are just a few things homeowners can do.

Q. Does New Jersey offer credit for installing solar panels?

There are four incentives available to New Jersey homeowners installing solar: a federal renewable energy tax credit, SRECs (solar renewable energy credits), solar energy sales tax exemption, and a property tax exemption for renewable energy systems.

Q. How long does solar panel installation take on average?

The actual installation process takes between 1 and 5 days.

Sources: EnergySage, Freedom Solar Power, GreenMatch, Solar.com, ElectricRate, Boston Solar