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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 Rahway. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
Top-quality solar panel installation in Rahway, New Jersey, requires you to hire a solar company that is certified, qualified and experienced. To assist your search for the right installer, we've assembled a list of the highest-ranking solar companies in Rahway.
Before deciding on an installer, ask others for suggestions, vet the installers you're considering and collect quotes from multiple companies to find the one that suits your needs. You can select a local solar company in Rahway or opt for a leading national brand.
While solar panels are a big upfront investment, you can cut your energy bills over the long term. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that transitioning to solar energy enables Rahway homeowners to save an average of $710 per year.
The services from different solar technicians vary. Be sure to compare companies and get quotes before you book your solar panel installation.
Seek out Rahway solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars in customer ratings on Google Reviews and similar review websites. The company should also have a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Reviewing previous customer reviews will give you a sense of how other homeowners viewed the company, so make a note if you see a pattern of negative reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Places with different sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like Rahway, can still use solar power. The top reasons to go solar are:
Based on the results of our survey done in October 2023, the average cost for solar panel installation nationally is $11,743.
The cost of solar panel installation is influenced by your roof orientation, labor costs, shading, area, sunlight availability and system size. Opting for bonus features such as animal guards, batteries or solar trackers will increase the overall cost.
According to numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the EIA and NASA, solar panel installation in Rahway has a typical cost of $11,528.
While installing solar panels requires a large investment to start, you can see considerable savings on your energy bills in the long term.
In Rahway, you can anticipate saving money once you've fully switched to solar. But it takes time to make back the upfront costs, and factors like precipitation and tree coverage influence how soon you'll get a return on your solar investment.
Switching to solar not only saves money but also reduces your carbon emissions and environmental footprint. Our calculations using NASA and EPA data show the estimated CO2 emission reductions achievable by going solar.
Experts Ready to Help
Homeowners in Rahway can qualify for several solar incentives. Some are available statewide for all New Jersey residents, and others are based on your utility company, municipality and city.
Per the DSIRE, these are the solar incentives offered to New Jersey residents:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Sales Tax Incentive Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption | 100% exemption |
Performance-Based Incentive Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program | Net-Metered Residential: $90/SREC-II Small Net-Metered Non-Residential located on Rooftop, Carport, Canopy and Floating Solar Projects smaller than 1 MW (dc): $100/SREC-II, $120 for public entities Projects 1 MW to 5 MW (dc): $90/SREC-II, $110 for public entities Net Metered Non-Residential Ground Mount Projects smaller than 1 MW (dc): $85/SREC-II, $105 for public entities Projects 1 MW to 5 MW (dc): $80/SREC-II, $100 for public entities Community Solar LMI: $90/SREC-II Community Solar Non-LMI: $70/SREC-II |
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | 100% of value added by renewable system |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) Registration Program | Determined by the market. In June 2016, SREC traded at an average price of $229.90. |
Other Incentive PSE&G - Solar Loan Program | See Website |
Rebate Program NJ Clean Energy- Residential New Construction Program | Incentives depend on the HERS score and the classification Single family homes: Ranges from $1,125 to - 24,250 Multi-single homes: Ranges from $1,125 to $18,188 Multifamily homes: Ranges from $625-$12,125 |
Rebate Program Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program | Rebates Single family : $2,000 to $4,000 Multi-family : $500-$1,500 per unit Rebates for single family and multi-family should not exceed 50% of the cost of the measures used to calculate total estimated savings (TES) See table below for details Loans Single-family: $5,000 (Tier II) or $10,000 (Tier III)4.99% interest loans up to $15,000 (where utility 0% financing is unavailable) |
Rebate Program COOLAdvantage Program | Central AC: Tier 1 $300(Tier 1), $500 (Tier 2) Ductless Mini Split A/C or Heat Pump: $500 Air Source Heat Pump: $300 (Tier 1), $500(Tier 2) Geothermal Heat Pump: $500 |
Rebate Program NJ Clean Energy- WARMAdvantage Program (Electric and Gas) | Residential Electric Customers (including municipal utility customers): Solar Hot Water Heater: $1,200 Heat Pump Water Heater: $500 Geothermal Heat Pump: $500 Air-Source or Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $300- $500 Residential Gas Customers (including propane): Gas Furnace: $250- $500 Gas Boiler: $300 Gas Water Heater: $300 Solar Hot Water Heater: $1,200 Oil Heating Customers: Oil Furnace: $250 Oil Boiler: $300 Combination Rebate Boiler and Water Heater Combination Rebate: $700 Furnace and Water Heater Combination Rebate: $700- $950 |
Rebate Program New Jersey Renewable Energy Incentive Program (Sustainable Biopower) | $900,000 or 30% of the cost per project, which ever is less |
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. |
Take time to reflect on these questions prior to hiring a solar panel installation company.
Your household's energy use and the solar system's production ratio dictate the appropriate panel system size for you. More expansive houses tend to use more power and will potentially need more extensive solar setups. An undersized system faces the risk of inadequate energy generation to completely power your home.
Specific permits and state or local regulations could affect your solar project. You’ll need to secure the proper permits through your local building department and arrange an inspection.
Not all homes get the same amount of sun. Local tree coverage, rainfall and extreme weather can affect sunlight access. If your property doesn’t get adequate sunlight, then you may need more panels with higher wattage.
Many solar panel systems come with a solar battery. Solar batteries store extra energy, which can be crucial for preventing power loss during a lack of sunlight. Opting for battery storage could increase the overall expense.
You can select from several types of solar panels, each varying in life expectancy, design and efficiency. These factors not only affect the price, but also how quickly 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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