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Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of East Haven. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
High-quality solar panel installation in East Haven, Connecticut requires you to select a solar installer with proper certification, skills and experience. We've compiled a list of the best solar companies in East Haven to help you hire the perfect installer.
Before choosing an installer, request referrals, screen potential installers and request multiple quotes to find the right company for your needs. You can choose a local solar company in East Haven or use an established national brand.
Even though solar panels are a significant upfront investment, you can lower your energy bills over the long term. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that moving to solar energy enables East Haven homeowners to save about $1,200 per year.
Many solar companies offer different services. Take the time to look at each company and get quotes from all before arranging your solar panel installation.
When looking into East Haven solar companies, find those with a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars on sites like Google Reviews and similar platforms, as well as a decent reputation on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Read through reviews to learn about other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and watch for frequent bad reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Places with varying amounts of sun, including those with increased rain or cloud coverage like East Haven, can still benefit from solar energy. Here are the top reasons for going solar:
Our survey from October 2023 showed that the national median price of solar panel installation is $11,743.
What you'll pay to install solar panels is influenced by factors such as your region, sunlight levels, roof alignment, shading, system size and labor. The price increases if you pick any accessories like solar trackers, animal guards or batteries.
According to numbers from NASA, the EIA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), solar panel installation in East Haven has an average cost of $11,885.
Although installing solar panels requires a substantial investment to start, you can see significant savings on your energy bills down the line.
After fully switching to solar power, East Haven homeowners typically see cost savings. However, recouping the initial investment requires time, and things like rain and tree shade affect the timeline for realizing returns on your solar investment.
In addition to monetary savings, moving to solar energy reduces your carbon footprint and environmental impact. We've calculated the estimated CO2 emission reductions you can achieve by going solar based on data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
There are a number of solar incentives open to homeowners in East Haven. Specific programs are applicable to all Connecticut residents, while others are dependent on your city, utility company and municipality.
Here are solar incentives offered to Connecticut residents, as listed by DSIRE.
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | Varies (local option) |
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | 100% of value added by renewable system |
Sales Tax Incentive Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Solar and Geothermal Systems | 100% exemption |
Rebate Program Residential Solar Investment Program | Customer-owned (EPBB): Up to 10 kW PTC: $0.358/W 10 to 20 kW PTC: $0.207/W Incentive is reduced accordingly for Design Factors below 75%. Minimum design factor is 60%. Third-Party-Owned (PBI): Up to 20 kW PTC: $0.03/kWh for 6 years Minimum Design Factor 60% |
Green Building Incentive Connecticut Green Energy Building Solutions | See Website |
Loan Program Smart-E loans | See Website |
Sales Tax Incentive Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Energy-Efficient Products | 100% exemption |
Loan Program Energy Conservation Loan | Single family homes (1-4 family units): $25,000 Landlord Loan: $40,000 |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program The United Illuminating Company - Small ZREC Tariff | $98.18 per ZREC (for Year 6 round of solicitation) |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Eversource - Small ZREC Tariff | $100.74 per REC (for Year 7 round of solicitation)Tariff for Small ZREC determined through PURA |
Loan Program Energy Efficiency Fund (Electric and Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Financing | $25,000 |
Rebate Program (Electric and Gas) Residential Rebate Program | Ductless Heat Pump: $500 Refrigerators/Freezers, Room A/Cs, Dishwashers, Clothes Washers, Dehumidifiers: Incentive Included in Retail Price Central A/C: $200 Air Source Heat Pumps: $500 Heat Pump Water Heater: $750 Lighting: Incentive Included in Retail Price Geothermal Heat Pumps: $500-$1,500 High Efficiency Furnace, Natural Gas Boiler, and Boiler Circulator Pump: Instant Discounts of $25-$800 |
PACE Financing Local Option - Residential Sustainable Energy Program | Locally determined |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
When selecting a professional solar panel installation company, first review these key considerations.
The size of your system depends on your household’s energy consumption and the solar panel system's production ratio. Larger households typically use more energy and may require a bigger setup. If the system isn’t big enough, it might fail to generate enough energy to power your entire house.
Required permits and local or state codes could impact your solar project. Be sure to obtain necessary permits through your local building department and schedule an inspection.
Not all homes receive the same amount of sunlight. Surrounding trees, precipitation and severe weather conditions in your area can impact sunlight access. If your home doesn’t get enough sunlight, then you may require extra panels with a higher wattage.
Many solar panel systems feature a solar battery. Solar batteries store extra energy, which can be vital for ensuring continuous power in bad weather. Opting for battery storage could raise the overall expense.
You can select from several types of solar panels, each varying in design, life expectancy and efficiency. These factors not only influence the price, but also the speed at which you’ll need to replace panels and the amount of space the panels take up on your roof.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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Our guide explores the best solar companies available. Trinity and Elevation top our list for their services, and Sunrun rounds it out with its leasing options.
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