Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in South Orange, 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 installers in the Northeast. They are a family-owned company with a strong reputation for professionalism, comprehensive in-house services, and excellent customer care. They handle the entire process from design and financing to installation and maintenance.
Green Power Energy is a highly-rated, employee-owned solar installer with a strong focus on the New Jersey and New York markets. They are known for their custom system designs, expertise with high-efficiency equipment, and deep knowledge of New Jersey's specific solar incentives and SREC programs.
Sunrun is a national leader in residential solar with a significant presence in New Jersey. They are best known for their flexible solar financing options, including power purchase agreements (PPAs) and leases, which allow homeowners to go solar with little to no money down. They also offer battery storage with their Brightbox product.
** The home solar market in South Orange, New Jersey, is robust and competitive, characterized by high consumer awareness and strong state-level incentives. The quality of providers is generally high, given New Jersey's strict licensing requirements and its status as a leading solar state. Competition is fierce, which benefits homeowners through competitive pricing and enhanced service offerings. Typical pricing for a residential system in South Orange ranges from **$15,000 to $30,000+** before incentives, heavily dependent on system size (typically 5kW to 10kW) and equipment quality. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows homeowners to deduct 30% of the system cost from their federal taxes. New Jersey's specific incentives, including exemption from the 6.625% sales tax on solar systems and the ability to earn Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), significantly improve the return on investment. Most installations are grid-tied, and there is growing interest in adding battery storage for backup power.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with South Orange regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in South Orange, New Jersey.
For a typical 6-8 kW system in South Orange, the gross cost before incentives is usually between $20,000 and $30,000. Crucially, New Jersey homeowners benefit from the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which reduces your tax liability by 30% of the system cost. Additionally, New Jersey's Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) program provides valuable Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), where you earn income for the clean energy your system produces, significantly improving payback time, often to 5-7 years.
New Jersey receives ample sunlight for effective solar production, averaging about 4-5 peak sun hours per day. South Orange experiences all four seasons, with summer providing the highest output. Snow in winter can temporarily reduce production, but panels are installed at an angle to encourage snow shedding, and the cold weather actually improves panel efficiency. Importantly, panels produce energy from daylight, not just direct sun, so they still generate power on cloudy days common in our region.
Yes, you must obtain a construction permit from the South Orange Village Building Department, which your installer typically manages. New Jersey has a "Solar Rights Act" that limits the ability of HOAs to unreasonably restrict solar installations, but they can enforce reasonable aesthetic guidelines. It's essential to review your HOA's covenants (if applicable) and submit the required architectural review application early in the process to avoid delays.
Prioritize installers who are licensed, insured, and have strong local experience in Essex County. Check for New Jersey-specific certifications and read reviews from nearby towns. A reputable local installer will understand the specific permitting process with South Orange Village, PSE&G interconnection requirements, and optimal system designs for our roof types and tree coverage. Always get multiple detailed quotes and confirm they handle all paperwork from permits to SREC registration.
PSE&G offers full retail net metering, crediting you at the full retail rate for any excess energy your system sends back to the grid. This credit rolls over month-to-month, helping offset nighttime and winter usage. Importantly, standard grid-tied solar systems automatically shut off during a power outage for safety reasons. To have backup power, you must install a specialized solar battery storage system, like a Tesla Powerwall, which is an increasingly popular addition for South Orange homeowners.