Best 10 Solar Companies in Clifton, NJ

With Clifton's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an ideal area for homeowners and businesses seeking to harness the additional sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar installers. With all the options to choose from in this concrete jungle, you might feel overwhelmed searching for a good contractor. On this page, we'll show you Clifton's premier solar providers and provide expert advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

Our team focuses on the following criteria to assess the best Clifton solar companies.

• Professional licensure and experience: Each installer on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Clifton community for more than a decade.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Clifton solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar companies should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
• Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and maximize its performance.
• Panel brands and quality: The best solar companies keep up with new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers numerous advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power means you're less dependent on fossil fuels, which emit harmful greenhouse gasses.
• Lower energy bills: Producing some or all of your own energy will cut power costs long-term. Plus, some states offer net metering programs that allow you to sell your unused energy back to the grid, generating extra credits toward your energy bill.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with battery backups and storage systems work through blackouts and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on your power company for your safety and well-being.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Clifton Homeowners?

New Jersey homeowners who decide on solar could qualify for special financing, rebates, reimbursements and tax credits. Here are just a few of the area's incentive programs.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Clifton

The more comprehensive your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately operate. Here are some important factors to remember while shopping for a solar company.

Licensing and Training

Licensing requirements mean that your New Jersey solar installation team may have a variety of different professionals, including a master plumber for piping work and an electrician for wiring work. The most experienced professionals on the team will also handle permit work for the job. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most prestigious are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, backed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Clifton

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

If you'd like to charge an electric car or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By choosing the right components, you can make your system more productive and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors include these additional features, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's essential for you.

You can plan to spend about $17,650 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Clifton. Use the table in this section to get an idea of what amount Clifton solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Clifton

Solar providers offer multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), cash payments and solar loans. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Similar to a home or auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in certain circumstances. We advise working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each representative about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your financial plan.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Clifton.

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy equipment until the year 2032. City and state officials and utility companies might also offer discounts, rebates, and specialized financing options that could save you more.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy