Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
A new solar energy system will provide you with a renewable power source that will eventually pay for itself. Going solar helps cut your utility bills and lower your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a trustworthy installation company first. Luckily, we've done the research and compiled a guide to the best and most trustworthy solar installation companies in Ocean.
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
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 researching local solar installers are as follows.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This help guarantee that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. Licensing requirements mean that your New Jersey solar installation team will likely have a variety of different professionals, including . The most senior professionals on the team will also handle permit work for the job.
Check review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. A quote should outline all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Comparing several quotes can help you find the option that best fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty addresses any installation defects (such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar energy can help lower your electric bills over time. When considering the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
Solar panel costs vary based on system capacity and the solar technology being used. The average solar system in Ocean has a capacity of 4.5 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay approximately $3,530 per kilowatt; the average Ocean homeowners spends roughly $11,170 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 company will account for factors such as the size, panel type, and capacity of the planned system, and should include fees for preliminary work, labor, 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) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
There are a number of benefits to home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, raise your property values, and reduce emissions. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also provide you with further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
Of course. The grid in Ocean 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 installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Ocean amount to $647.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Ocean, meaning your payback period could last 17.3 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Of course. Solar panels are independent of the Ocean grid and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep in mind, however, that a solar system won't take you through a nighttime outage if you don't have a storage system. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
Regarding taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. Regarding insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should talk with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.
