10 Best Solar Companies in Connecticut

The Main Types of Residential Solar Systems

The first important decision you'll make when putting together your solar array is what panel type to use. There are three main types to choose from, and you can decide which one is best for you considering your budget and the design of your home.

Monocrystalline

In the hot summers of Connecticut, you'll get the best results from monocrystalline panels. Each black-hued cell uses only one silicon crystal, meaning you can generate more energy with a small array. While they cost more in the beginning due to their more complex manufacturing process, their efficiency means you'll save more money over the longer term.

Polycrystalline

You can recognize polycrystalline panels by their navy blue shade. Each cell in these panels uses a composite of multiple silicon fragments, which translates to less manufacturing waste and a lower upfront price point.

While polycrystalline panels can give you the same high capacity as a monocrystalline system, they'll require more space on your roof to get that capacity.

Thin-film

Thin-film solar panels use different metal alloys instead of silicon crystals. Some homeowners pick them for their reduced weight or greater compatibility with unique roof shapes. Others pick them for their superior heat resistance and low-light performance. Thin-film arrays are a good choice for value in more "partly sunny" areas of Connecticut. They retain efficiency as temperatures fluctuate and work with many different roof shapes.

Despite that thin-film systems have the lowest cost per panel, they usually have a total cost on par with polycrystalline systems due to their large space requirements.

Solar Purchase Options

Adopting solar energy is a big investment. Once you and your installer agree on which kind and model of panels to use, you can select from a range of purchase options:

• Solar leases: With a solar lease, you'll pay a monthly amount based on the energy your panels are likely to generate. Your lease provider can include benefits such as no money down, covered regular maintenance, and a guarantee which allows refunds if your panels aren't reach their predicted target efficiency. However, they don't qualify for state or tax incentives and won't increase your property values. If you sell your house, the panel provider will remove the panels unless the buyer chooses to continue with the lease.
• Power purchase agreements (PPAs): With a power purchase agreement, your contractor will sell you the power your solar panel generates for the length of the contract period. In exchange, they'll pay for the cost of the system. If you choose a PPA, read the terms carefully and ask about what happens at the end of the contract. If you don't renew the agreement, transfer your system to a willing buyer, or buy the system from the contractor, they reserve the right to remove the panels.
• Solar financing: If you'd like to own your solar panels faster, get some tax breaks, and take advantage of local incentives, consider a solar loan. New lenders specializing home energy projects have emerged in the banking sector, and you could avoid paying a down payment or interest with the right lender. While taking out a solar loan will increase your upfront costs, you'll have improved long-term savings.

In addition to the purchase price of the panels, you'll also be responsible for your contractor's labor costs and the price of electrical, roofing, or plumbing work they contracted out. Whether you choose a lease, loan, or PPA, they'll generally cover all of these costs.

Residential Solar Incentives and Cost Support

You might be eligible for financial incentives for installing home solar panels, like the following:

• Rebates: Rebates can come from a manufacturer, power company, or government. Your solar installer can help you apply for them during the design phase of your project. Sometimes, the rebate amount will go directly to the installer as compensation for installing a company's products or interconnecting the system. Other times, it will go directly to you, and you can use it for your first loan, lease, or PPA bills.
• Tax credits: The IRS gives a 30% tax credit on the value of your new solar installation, so you should include Form 5695 with your federal returns for the year. Your state, county, or city could also offer similar income or property tax credits, or even exempt solar equipment for a period of time after installation.
• Net metering: Net metering is a program that utilities and counties use to protect their grid and add renewable energy capacity. If your solar array generates more energy than you actually need, you can send the excess electricity to the grid in exchange for bill credits.
• Net billing: Some utilities and electrical co-ops have switched from net metering to net billing. Net billing households sell their excess generation wholesale, with small houses receiving compensation at the same rate as large solar farms.

Solar Energy By the Numbers in Connecticut

Solar energy continues to grow throughout Connecticut, and with the right professional team, it's easy to adopt it for your home. Take a look at some of these impressive state statistics:

• A 5 kW solar energy system in Connecticut has an average payback period of 9.4 years. That said, you would also save $1,210.41 on your energy bill.
• In Connecticut, the average new home solar array is rated for up to 10.1 kW and costs $28,991.
• Connecticut generates 303 MW of residential solar energy, reaching 24,957 homes and growing.
• Without solar, the average family spends about $2,047 per year on their energy bill.
• Solar energy has enabled the creation of 2,234 jobs in Connecticut, with more added as companies grow and technology continues to improve.

Useful Resources

Want to learn more about solar energy in your area? Take a look at these pages and resources:

• DSIRE: You can use DSIRE to track solar incentive programs in your area, including solar photovoltaic incentives, net metering or billing programs, public policies in your state, and solar thermal rebates.
• The best solar companies in your city: Our team can offer you solar company recommendations for most Connecticut cities, such asDATAPOINT_ERR_{top_live_cities(largest_cities, 5)}.
• PVWatts: Produced by the U.S. Department of Energy, this tool lets you enter your zip code and get predictions of how much energy solar panels could generate at your specific location.