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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
A solar panel array will provide you with a renewable power source that will eventually pay for itself. Switching to solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. Luckily, we've done the research and created a guide to the best and most reputable solar installation providers in Montclair.
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Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Family-operated business
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners lower utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. Licensing requirements mean that your New Jersey solar installation team may have a variety of different professionals, including . The most senior professionals on the team will also liaise with your local government and utility on permit matters.
Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Contact three to five solar companies to receive free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and specify the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the best value based on your budget.
High-quality solar installations should have robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's confidence in its installations.
Solar is great for helping you lower electricity bills over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the technology being used. The average solar system in Montclair has a capacity of 4.7 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $3,530 per kilowatt; the average Montclair homeowners spends about $11,692 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for things like the panel type, size, and capacity of the planned system, and should include costs for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees.
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 simplest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
There are a number of benefits to home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, save money, and raise your property values. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your location and what type of panels you're installing. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Montclair, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.
Yes. The grid in Montclair already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, the average sunlight in your area, and their rated capacity. Montclair gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 16.4 years per 5 kW of capacity.
The type of solar panels you have will have specific maintenance steps to follow. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. Full-service solar contractors in the Montclair area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you keep your panels healthy and make the most of your system.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can return the solar energy you don't use to the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
Solar panels are gaining in popularity 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.
