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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 Raritan. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
To get a high-quality solar panel installation in Raritan, New Jersey, you'll need a properly certified, skilled and experienced solar installer. We've compiled a list of the top solar companies in Raritan to help you choose the right one.
Prior to hiring an installer, ask others for recommendations, review potential installers and collect multiple quotes to identify the ideal company for you. You can pick a local Raritan solar company or choose a well-known national brand.
Even though solar panels need a substantial initial investment, you can lower your energy expenses in the long run by making the switch. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), moving to solar energy allows Raritan homeowners to save a yearly average of around $660.
The offerings from different solar technicians vary. Make sure to compare companies and get quotes before you set up your solar panel installation.
Look for Raritan solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars based on customer critiques on Google Reviews and similar sites. Make sure the company has a favorable rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) when choosing a solar company.
Reading through previous customer reviews will provide 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 varied sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like Raritan, can still use solar power. The top reasons to switch to solar power are:
According to our survey conducted in October 2023, the typical national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The cost of solar panel installation varies based on several factors, such as where you live, sunlight exposure, roof alignment, shading, system size and labor. Be prepared to pay more if you select accessories like batteries, solar trackers or animal guards.
In Raritan, solar panel installation costs an average of $11,751, according to data from NASA, the EIA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Although installing solar panels requires a large investment to start, you can see considerable savings on your energy bills down the line.
In Raritan, you can expect to save 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.
Beyond cost savings, changing to solar power also decreases your carbon footprint and lowers your environmental impact. Provided below are the projected CO2 emission reductions you can expect from solar energy, as determined by our analysis of data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Raritan homeowners can benefit from various solar incentives. Certain programs are provided statewide to all New Jersey residents, while others differ based on municipality, city and utility company.
Per the DSIRE, these are the solar incentives available for 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. |
Before choosing a professional solar panel installation company, go over these important questions.
Your household's energy use and the solar system's production ratio determine the appropriate panel system size for you. Larger residences tend to use more power and will potentially need larger solar installations. An undersized system risks inadequate energy generation to fully power your home.
Specific permits and state or local requirements could affect your solar project. You’ll need to obtain the required permits through your local building department and arrange an inspection.
Not all homes receive the same amount of sunlight. Trees, rain 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 include a solar battery. Solar batteries conserve extra energy, which can be crucial for avoiding outages during a lack of sunlight. Opting for battery storage could increase the cost of installation.
There are multiple solar panel types available, with differences in design, life expectancy and efficiency. These aspects impact not just the cost, but also how often panels will need to be replaced and the space needed 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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