Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Montclair, New Jersey. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
Trinity Solar is one of the largest and most established residential solar providers in the Northeast. They are a family-owned company known for a turnkey process that handles everything from design and financing to installation and maintenance. They have a strong focus on customer service and offer a comprehensive warranty.
Sunrun is a national leader in residential solar with a significant presence in New Jersey. They are best known for their flexible solar lease and power purchase agreement (PPA) options, which allow homeowners to go solar with little or no money down. They also offer Brightbox battery storage for energy resilience.
Green Power Energy is a highly-rated, New Jersey-based installer known for its personalized service and expertise in both solar and battery storage. They are a certified installer for top-tier equipment and are praised for their consultative approach, ensuring systems are designed for maximum efficiency and savings.
** The home solar market in Montclair, New Jersey, is mature and highly competitive, driven by some of the highest average electricity rates in the country. The market is characterized by a mix of large national providers (like Sunrun) and established regional leaders (like Trinity Solar and Green Power Energy). This competition benefits homeowners through competitive pricing and a wide range of service and financing options. **Average Quality & Competition:** The quality of providers serving Montclair is generally high, with companies vying for business through strong manufacturer partnerships (e.g., SunPower, LG, Tesla) and robust service warranties. The competitive landscape pushes companies to differentiate themselves on customer service, financing expertise, and technological offerings like battery storage. **Typical Pricing:** The gross cost of a typical residential solar panel system in New Jersey ranges from **$20,000 to $40,000+** before incentives. However, the net cost is significantly lower due to the 30% federal solar tax credit and New Jersey's strong state-level incentives, including the SUCCESSOR Solar Incentive Program (SuSI) which provides Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). Many homeowners achieve a positive return on investment within 5-9 years, with financing options making $0-down solar a popular choice.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Montclair regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Montclair, New Jersey.
For a typical 8kW system in Montclair, the gross cost before incentives is usually between $25,000 and $35,000. Crucially, you can significantly reduce this through the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and New Jersey's strong Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) program, which pays you for the clean energy your system produces. Additionally, Montclair property owners benefit from the state's sales tax exemption on solar equipment and a property tax exemption, ensuring your assessment won't increase due to the added value of the system.
New Jersey's four-season climate is excellent for solar, with ample sunny days and cool temperatures that improve panel efficiency. While production peaks in the long, sunny summer days, modern panels are very effective in diffuse light, meaning you will still generate significant power on cloudy days and during winter. Snow can temporarily cover panels, but their slick, angled surfaces usually shed snow quickly, and the high reflectivity of snow can even boost production on clear winter days once they are exposed.
Yes, you must secure a building permit from the Montclair Building Department, and your installer will typically handle this process. If your home is in a historic district or has an HOA, you may need design approval, but New Jersey's "Solar Rights Act" (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-66.12) significantly limits an HOA's ability to unreasonably restrict solar installations that meet certain criteria, protecting your right to go solar. It's still wise to review your HOA covenants and communicate your plans early.
Prioritize local, New Jersey-licensed installers with extensive experience navigating state incentives and Montclair's specific permitting process. Check their certifications (like NABCEP) and read reviews on platforms like Google and EnergySage. Always get multiple detailed quotes, ensure they are a registered NJ Clean Energy Program contractor, and ask for local references from recent installations in Essex County to verify their work quality and customer service.
PSE&G offers full retail net metering, crediting your bill at the full retail rate for every kilowatt-hour you send to the grid, effectively using the grid as a "battery." Your credits roll over month-to-month, helping offset lower production in winter. Importantly, a standard grid-tied system will shut off during a power outage for safety unless it includes a dedicated battery storage solution (like a Tesla Powerwall), which is becoming a popular add-on in Montclair for backup power.