Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated May 2024
Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Cranford homeowners. Making the switch to solar power helps cut your utility bills and shrink your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a reputable installation company first. Luckily, we've done the research and compiled a guide to the best and most dependable solar installation companies in Cranford.
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Family-operated business
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Family-operated business
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Putting solar panels on your roof could reduce your electricity payments while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when looking at local solar installers are as follows.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. Licensing requirements mean that your New Jersey solar installation team may have a variety of different professionals, including . The master-level professionals on the team will also pull permits for the job.
Check review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have barely any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call three to five solar companies for free, itemized quotes. A quote should outline all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for your budget.
Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues such as cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. The performance guarantee ensures a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Solar panels can help reduce your electricity costs over time. When weighing solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the technology used. The average solar system in Cranford has a capacity of 4.7 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $3,530 per kilowatt; the average Cranford homeowners spends about $11,528 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for things like the capacity, size, and panel type of the planned system, and should include prices for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Amount:
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
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of value added by renewable system
Incentive Amount:
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)
Incentive Amount:
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
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
There are many benefits to home solar energy. You can save money, qualify for tax benefits, and reduce emissions. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on where you live and what type of panels you're installing. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Cranford, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In most parts of the country, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, which means you can reap the environmental benefits and savings of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Cranford, the average amount someone can save is $681 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system after the payback period concludes.
The type of solar panels you have will have specific maintenance steps to follow. Regardless of type, you should inspect your panels for damage and clean them regularly. A majority of solar contractors in the Cranford area offer low-cost maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
Yes, solar panels can still supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system is able to keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider and look for a solar system that includes a battery backup.
Solar panels are gaining traction for their high efficiency and low maintenance costs. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
