Best 10 Solar Companies in North Bergen, NJ

The North Bergen community is purposeful about safeguarding the planet and living sustainably. That's why many people are purchasing panels from the top solar companies for their homes. With all the options to choose from in this vibrant community, you might feel overwhelmed searching for a good installer. In this guide, we'll highlight North Bergen's best solar providers and offer tips for your company choice, so you can find the right one for your residence.

Ranking Methodology

Our team used the following criteria to assess the best North Bergen solar companies.

• Panel brands and quality: The best solar companies keep up with new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Experience and professional licensure: Each contractor on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the North Bergen community for more than a decade.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar companies should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should use their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and improve its performance.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most North Bergen solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy provides multiple advantages. Here are some highlights.

• Lowered energy bills: With a solar array, you produce power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant amount of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have reliable energy during grid outages and storms.
• Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is a highly abundant clean energy source, meaning you can reduce or eliminate your home's dependence on non-renewable sources.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to North Bergen Homeowners?

New Jersey homeowners who choose solar could qualify for tax credits, rebates, special financing and reimbursements. Here are just a few of the local incentive programs.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in North Bergen

The more comprehensive your company investigation is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately function. Consider each of these elements in your service provider search.

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 senior professionals on the team will also liaise with your local government and utility on permit matters. Solar companies can also pursue accreditations from trade groups and standards organizations. The most prestigious ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in North Bergen

Your photovoltaic panels' type will affect how much energy you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

Additional components, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will increase your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar company includes these additional features, so look for a company that installs them if it's crucial for you.

If you're a resident of North Bergen and are looking into a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $17,650 for parts and installation. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in North Bergen

Solar contractors use multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are cash payments, solar leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar loans. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a home or auto loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in specific circumstances. We recommend working with a provider that offers multiple financing options. Ask each consultant about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your budget.

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

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on the full cost of the solar system, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Local governments and utilities might also offer their own rebates, incentives, and financing programs that could save you more money.

Sources

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