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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 Wayne. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
To perform a high-quality solar panel installation in Wayne, New Jersey, you'll need to hire a properly certified, skilled and experienced solar installer. We've assembled a list of the top solar companies in Wayne to help you find the right one.
Before selecting an installer, ask others for suggestions, screen the installers you're considering and get quotes from multiple companies to find the one that meets your needs. You can choose a local solar company in Wayne or opt for an established national brand.
Although solar panels are a major upfront investment, you can lower your energy bills over the long run. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), transitioning to solar energy enables Wayne homeowners to save $700 on average each year.
Solar companies do not all offer the same services and products. You should look at different companies and get quotes before arranging your solar panel installation.
When evaluating Wayne solar companies, find those with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on sites like Google Reviews and similar platforms, in addition to a good reputation on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Reviewing previous customer testimonials can give insight into other homeowners' experiences dealing with the solar company. Consistent poor reviews are worth noting as a possible red flag.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Places with differing amounts of sun, including those with increased rain or cloud coverage like Wayne, can still benefit from solar energy. Here are the top reasons for going solar:
According to our survey carried out in October 2023, the average national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of installing solar panels differs based on several elements, including your location, sunlight access, roof direction, shading, system dimensions and labor. Be ready to pay extra if you pick any extras like animal guards, solar trackers or batteries.
Based on statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NASA and the EIA the mean cost to install solar panels in Wayne is $11,798.
Putting in solar panels means considerable spending upfront, but you can make those costs back through significant reductions in your energy bills down the road.
In Wayne, you can expect to save money once you've transitioned fully to solar. But it takes time to recover 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 projected CO2 emission reductions achievable by going solar.
Experts Ready to Help
There are a number of solar incentives open to homeowners in Wayne. Certain programs cover all New Jersey residents, while others are dependent on your city, municipality and utility company.
Here are solar incentives accessible for New Jersey residents, as listed by DSIRE.
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. |
Consider these key points before hiring a solar panel installation professional.
The size of your system is determined by your household’s energy consumption and the solar panel system's production ratio. Larger households generally use more energy and may require a larger system. If the system isn’t big enough, it may not produce enough energy to power your entire house.
Your solar installation project might be subject to relevant codes and permits by your state. You'll need to obtain the required permits from your local building department, as well as schedule an inspection.
Not all homes get the same amount of sunlight. Local tree coverage, rainfall and severe weather can affect sunlight access. If your property doesn’t get enough sunlight, then you may need more panels with higher wattage.
For extra power storage, a lot of panel systems include a solar battery. This feature becomes critical in cloudy conditions and helps to mitigate power loss. However, opting for battery storage may lead to increased installation costs.
There are multiple solar panel types available, with differences in design, efficiency and life expectancy. These aspects affect not just the cost, but also panel replacement frequency 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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