Best Solar Companies in New Jersey
All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Despite its small size, New Jersey is a national leader in solar energy. It ranks number eight in the U.S. for total installed solar capacity, with the ability to power more than 600,000 homes.
With 370 solar companies to choose from in the state, joining your neighbors in the switch to solar energy might feel overwhelming. To make the process easier, we’ve done rigorous research on the leading solar companies in New Jersey, analyzing hundreds of customer reviews, secret shopping each company, and more.
This in-depth guide breaks down our findings in addition to covering available tax incentives in New Jersey and other essential information. Start by using our tool below to learn which top providers are available in your zip code.
The Top Solar Installation Companies
Based on our research, the following companies are the best solar companies in New Jersey:
- Momentum Solar: Best for Guided Services
- Sunrun: Best for Home Builders
- Trinity Solar: Best Installation Process
- Tesla Energy: Most Aesthetic
- Palmetto Solar: Most Protection
Compare New Jersey’s Best Solar Companies
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | A+ | VISIT SITE | ||
 | B+ | VISIT SITE | ||
 | A+ | VISIT SITE | ||
 | A+ | VISIT SITE |
SunPower
- Warranty Options: 25-year system and labor warranty
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Maxeon)
- Payment Options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and PPA.
What We Like: Founded in 1985, SunPower has the most years of experience of any solar provider on this list. It also provides an above-average combination system-and-labor warranty for its solar systems. Using its in-house SunPower Design Studio, you can collaborate with the company to create a custom solar system adapted for New Jersey’s climate and your unique solar needs.
Best of all, SunPower partners with a manufacturing company that was initially in-house, Maxeon Solar Technologies. Because of this partnership, SunPower integrates and designs your solar system so that all components work together seamlessly—from manufacturing to installation and monitoring. Calling the company about issues is easier without third-party provider involvement.
Read More: SunPower Review
Palmetto Solar
- Warranty Options: 25-year manufacturer warranty
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Q Cells)
- Payment Options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and PPA
What We Like: Solar energy isn’t just a one-and-done project; it involves a lot of ongoing maintenance. If you’re concerned about your solar panels‘ longevity and long-term costs, Palmetto Solar might be the right fit for you.
The company offers an optional Palmetto Peace of Mind Plan. This $12-per-month plan includes active monitoring and discounts on maintenance services, such as panel cleaning, repair, and battery services.
Palmetto also has a 25-year manufacturer warranty for its Q-Cells monocrystalline solar panels for additional security. Its Palmetto App lets you track your system’s performance by day, week, and month to help you set goals for spending and power output.
Momentum Solar
- Warranty Options: 25-year workmanship and equipment warranty
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers)
- Payment Options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and power purchase agreement (PPA)
What We Like: Based in Plainfield, New Jersey, Momentum Solar is one of the best solar installation companies in the U.S. The company limits its availability to states with well-established net-metering programs, which allow you to sell your surplus solar energy back to your utility company for financial credits. The company’s limited availability also ensures its customer service team can provide quality support to each client.
Momentum offers solar panels from various manufacturers to fit your specific solar needs. The company has a robust 25-year warranty on workmanship and equipment.
For convenience, Momentum conducts virtual consultations via Zoom. You’ll be asked to provide a copy of your power bill for the last 12 months so that Momentum can maximize your savings. New Jersey is also one of the few states where Momentum offers in-house solar battery storage services.
Sunrun
- Warranty Options: 25-year workmanship and product warranty
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers)
- Payment Options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and PPA
What We Like: Sunrun is a great choice if you’re building a new home or installing a new roof. The company’s BuilderChoice New Homes Program allows you to work with your choice of roofers to subcontract labor. The company ensures its systems are compliant with New Jersey code and provides a designated team to handle all the paperwork and regulations from local municipalities. This ensures your Sunrun system is tailored to your home, properly prepared before being granted permission to operate (PTO), and quickly activated.
Tesla Solar
- Warranty Options: 25-year performance guarantee
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Q Cells)
- Payment Options: Purchase and loan
What We Like: Tesla is one of the largest companies at the forefront of alternative energy, mainly due to its electric vehicles. But Tesla also offers one of the most popular solar batteries, the Tesla Powerwall. This backup battery supplies your home with power during power outages and at night.
Tesla is also known for its innovative solar shingles. These are solar panels that mimic the appearance of roof shingles, allowing you to avoid a clunky, distracting mounting system atop your roof. A Tesla solar roof ensures you can maintain the existing beauty of your home.
In addition, Tesla’s mobile app provides 24/7 active monitoring from any location, allowing you to have a fully integrated, accessible solar system.
Trinity Solar
Fast Facts:
- Warranty Options: 5-year workmanship and 25-year product warranty
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline and polycrystalline (Various manufacturers)
- Payment Options: Purchase, loan, and lease
What We Like: Trinity Solar focuses on simplifying the solar installation process for homeowners. Based locally in Wall Township, Trinity Solar walks you through each step of the installation process. Trinity claims it can complete most solar panel installations within an impressively fast 24 hours.
Trinity Solar also offers both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels. Though less efficient, polycrystalline panels may be a cost-effective option if your home is small. The company also offers solar battery installation.
Finally, Trinity Solar puts an emphasis on New Jersey‘s goal of spreading clean energy: The company partners with local nonprofits to provide no-cost solar installation.
Palmetto Solar
- Warranty Options: 25-year manufacturer warranty
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Q Cells)
- Payment Options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and PPA
What We Like: Solar energy isn’t just a one-and-done project; it involves a lot of ongoing maintenance. If you’re concerned about your solar panels‘ longevity and long-term costs, Palmetto Solar might be the right fit for you.
The company offers an optional Palmetto Peace of Mind Plan. This $12-per-month plan includes active monitoring and discounts on maintenance services, such as panel cleaning, repair, and battery services.
Palmetto also has a 25-year manufacturer warranty for its Q-Cells monocrystalline solar panels for additional security. Its Palmetto App lets you track your system’s performance by day, week, and month to help you set goals for spending and power output.
Factors That Affect Solar Installation Cost in New Jersey
The following factors influence the overall cost and performance of your New Jersey solar system.
- Energy consumption: Based on a 2020 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), New Jersey homeowners pay an average of $109.54 per month for electricity. If you typically spend more per month on electricity than this, you can save by switching to solar.
- Solar panel type: The type of solar panel you choose for your system will influence your system’s overall cost and efficiency. Monocrystalline solar panels tend to cost more than polycrystalline and thin-film panels. However, monocrystalline panels offer the highest efficiency rates.
- Roof type: Solar panels work on metal, shingle, and flat roofs. Each type of roof requires different labor and components. For example, a completely flat roof or one with multiple chimneys will require more labor and components. No matter the material, a southward-facing roof with a steep angle of 45 to 60 degrees will yield better power output than other roofs.
- Shading: A system that gets full sun exposure will produce more energy with fewer panels. If your home has a lot of shade from trees, surrounding buildings, or weather patterns, you may have to purchase more panels to produce the same energy.
- Payment option: Purchasing your solar panels up-front is the most cost-effective payment option. A solar loan means a smaller initial financial commitment, but you will likely pay more over time due to interest rates. With solar leases or PPAs, you’ll have the lowest up-front costs—but you won’t own your solar system, so you cannot take advantage of tax incentives.
Solar Tax Incentives in New Jersey
In addition to being an early adopter of solar power, New Jersey has introduced legislation that aims to make 5.1% of its electricity sales be from renewable energy by 2028. To assist in this pursuit of large-scale clean energy, the state offers various tax incentives and rebates that make solar energy more affordable and appealing. Learn which of these New Jersey solar tax incentives you may qualify for below.
- Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption: The New Jersey Division of Taxation offers a full exemption from the state’s sales tax for all solar energy equipment. All types of solar energy equipment, including equipment for passive solar design, are considered eligible for this tax exemption.
- Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems: Through the Division of Taxation, renewable energy systems used to meet on-site electricity, heating, cooling, or general energy needs can be exempt from local property taxes.
- Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) II program: You can earn one solar renewable energy certificate (SREC-II) for every megawatt-hour (MWh) your solar panel system generates through the state of New Jersey‘s Clean Energy Program. The value of an SREC-II varies depending on the type of system you install. With each SREC-II you generate for residential systems, you earn a fixed $90 payment for 15 years. For example, if you install an 8-kilowatt (kW) system that generates 8 MWh per year, you can make $730 each year.
The federal solar tax credit is also available to all U.S. homeowners.
What to Expect From Your Solar Installation Inspection
Each solar installation requires a home inspection, which helps the solar installer know what rigging system is required and what kind of panels, inverters, energy storage systems, and other vital components you will need. The inspection process aims to help the company create a solar panel system that will work for the next 25 to 30 years.
Solar installation inspections tend to follow these steps:
- Roof inspection: The company takes roof measurements to check the fit and dimension of the solar system. Based on these findings, it identifies any existing roof obstructions and discusses modifications to the proposed layout. In addition, roof damage, including broken tiles and worn shingles, is photographed.
- Attic inspection: A solar installer checks your attic for accessibility and evaluates the truss layout, or the assembly of beams and nodes. If the layout is complicated, the installer will have to create a plan to work around it.
- Electrical inspection: The solar company evaluates your home’s current electrical system. Using these findings, the company creates a utility interconnection plan. It also notes the locations of electrical conduits and disconnecting means, such as electrical outlets.
- Internet inspection: An installer may ask about your internet access to determine what performance monitoring hardware should be installed.
Our Recommendation
Momentum Solar is our top solar installation company because of its excellent combination of high-quality solar products and reputable professional installation services. By pairing Momentum’s solar panels with an established New Jersey net-metering program, you can help move your community closer to clean energy and rack up some serious savings.
SunPower is a close second with its long history in the solar industry and in-house solar panel manufacturing. If you’re building a new home or installing a new roof, Sunrun‘s BuilderChoice New Homes Program is also a great option.
New Jersey is an excellent location for solar energy. We encourage you to get quotes from three different local solar providers to compare offerings closely. Use our tool below to quickly get free quotes and begin your solar journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is solar good in New Jersey?
Yes, solar energy is good in New Jersey given the state’s climate, geography, and higher electricity rates.
How many solar panels would it take to power a house?
It takes around 20 to 24 solar panels to power the average house.
Can you sell electricity back to the grid in New Jersey?
Yes, you can sell your electricity back to the power grid in New Jersey. New Jersey’s net-metering programs offer full credit for solar electricity exported to the grid.
Does going solar affect my insurance?
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reports that standard homeowners insurance policies should cover most solar systems. However, we recommend contacting your insurance provider before installing a solar system to know how the change may influence your coverage.
How We Chose the Top Solar Companies
We researched and analyzed dozens of solar panels and solar installation companies. We then formulated a rating system based on each solar installer or manufacturer’s services and products. We considered several factors, including the quality and types of solar panels offered, the customer support network, warranty lengths and limitations, and additional benefits for homeowners such as mobile apps for monitoring and customer service.
Speaking directly to a representative, we determined how each solar company personalizes its solar panel installation for each home. We also analyzed each company’s warranty options to ensure their product and performance guarantees match or exceed industry standards.
We evaluated each provider based on their rating and history with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine reputation. In addition, we analyzed the 100 most recent Google Reviews for each provider across various locations and branches.
Read more: Our Methodology
