Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Hillsborough, New Jersey. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A highly-rated, regional solar installer with a strong presence in New Jersey. They are known for their comprehensive in-house services, from initial design and consultation to installation and maintenance. They emphasize customer education and offer robust financing options.
One of the largest and most established residential solar providers in the Northeast. Trinity Solar operates as an employee-owned company and has been a trusted name for decades. They offer a full suite of solar services and have deep experience with New Jersey's specific incentives and net metering policies.
As a national leader in residential solar, Sunrun is a major player in the New Jersey market. They are best known for their solar leasing and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) options, which allow homeowners to go solar with little or no money down. They also offer purchase and battery storage solutions.
** The home solar market in Hillsborough, New Jersey, is robust and highly competitive. Hillsborough residents benefit from New Jersey's strong renewable energy incentives, including the Successor Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC-II) program and federal tax credits, which significantly lower the net cost of installation. The average quality of providers serving the area is high, driven by state licensing requirements and the technical demands of the regional grid. The competition level is intense, with a mix of large national companies (like Sunrun) and strong regional installers (like Green Power Energy and Trinity Solar) vying for business. This competition benefits consumers through competitive pricing and enhanced service offerings. Typical pricing for a residential solar system in Hillsborough ranges from **$15,000 to $30,000+** before incentives, depending on system size (typically 6kW to 10kW for an average home) and the inclusion of battery storage. After applying the 30% federal tax credit and state-level incentives, the net investment can be substantially lower, often paying for itself in 6-9 years through significant reductions in electric bills.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Hillsborough regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Hillsborough, New Jersey.
For a typical 8-10 kW system in Hillsborough, the gross cost before incentives ranges from $25,000 to $35,000. Crucially, New Jersey offers strong incentives, including the federal solar tax credit (26% for systems installed in 2024), a state sales tax exemption, and the NJ Clean Energy Program's TRECs (Transition Renewable Energy Certificates), which provide ongoing payments for the energy your system produces. These incentives can reduce your net cost by 40-50%.
Hillsborough's four-season climate is excellent for solar. While summer offers the most peak sun hours, modern panels are efficient even in winter and can produce energy from diffused light on cloudy days. Snow can temporarily reduce output, but panels are installed at an angle to encourage snow shedding, and the cold temperatures actually improve panel efficiency. Annual production will be cyclical, but a properly sized system is designed to meet your yearly energy needs.
Installing solar in Hillsborough requires a permit from the Township's Building Department, which includes a review of structural and electrical plans. Your chosen installer will typically manage this process. Importantly, if your home is part of a Homeowners Association (HOA), NJ state law (the "Solar Rights Act") prohibits HOAs from unreasonably denying solar installations, though they can establish reasonable aesthetic guidelines.
Choose a provider that is both NJ-licensed (Home Improvement Contractor license) and NABCEP-certified. Look for established local or regional companies with a strong track record in Somerset County, as they will be most familiar with Hillsborough's permitting process and interconnection with JCP&L. Always get multiple quotes, check reviews, and ensure they offer robust warranties (25-year on panels, 10+ years on labor).
Standard grid-tied solar systems automatically shut off during a grid outage for safety reasons, to protect utility workers. To have power during an outage in Hillsborough, you must pair your solar system with a battery storage solution, like a Tesla Powerwall or similar. This creates a home microgrid, allowing your solar panels to charge the battery and provide backup power to critical circuits, which is a valuable consideration given NJ's storm seasons.