Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Highland Park homes. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a qualified solar installer. Luckily, we've done the research and created a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation providers in Highland Park.
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Family-operated business
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
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:
Going solar can be a great way to lower electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. 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 most experienced professionals on the team will also liaise with your local government and utility on permit matters.
Look at review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers are saying about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s trustworthiness and customer service. Be cautious of companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
To find a solar installer that works with your budget, get free, detailed quotes from three to five providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the best value.
Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues such as poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment. The performance guarantee promises a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
Solar energy can help reduce your electricity costs in the long run. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to consider these considerations.
In Highland Park, solar panels cost an average of $3,530 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 4.7 kilowatts. The typical Highland Park homeowner spends $11,564 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information based on your desired system's capacity, required preliminary work, panel type, and size. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
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 appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
With home solar PV, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
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 Highland Park, the average amount someone can save is $714 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system after the payback period concludes.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on their rated capacity, the average sunlight in your area, and the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power. Highland Park gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 16.2 years per 5 kW of capacity.
Although solar energy is a valuable option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, a contractor might recommend other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still lower your emissions and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
Yes, solar panels will still be able to provide 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.
The most common types of home solar panels in Highland Park include monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while polycrystalline and thin-film panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Talk with your local provider about which solar panels they work with.
