The best solar installers in New Jersey
A geographically balanced top 5 spanning the Jersey Shore, North Jersey, South Jersey, and Central NJ — so homeowners across the state have a local-to-them option in the top picks. For other regions, see the Honorable mentions below.
Trinity Solar Local
Why listed: NJ-headquartered family-owned installer operating since 1994 — 100,000+ Northeast installations and the largest NJ-HQ residential solar installer by volume. NABCEP-certified crews with in-house roof leak warranty. Caution: sales volume comes with a meaningful complaint trail — get a written project timeline, a fixed cash price (not a financed "monthly payment" pitch), and SREC/SuSI registration commitment in writing before signing.
Green Power Energy Local
Why listed: Hunterdon County-based residential installer operating since 2009 with NABCEP-certified leads and EnergySage Elite-tier status. Strong reputation on customer service and project consistency — a top alternative to Trinity for homeowners in North and Central Jersey who want a less sales-heavy experience.
NJ Solar Power Local
Why listed: Lakewood-based residential and commercial installer operating since 2000 with deep JCP&L and ACE territory experience — useful where Atlantic-side hosting capacity gets tight. Strong residential reputation and an established SREC/SuSI registration workflow.
Solar by Omar Local
Why listed: South Jersey-based residential and commercial installer with strong reputation in ACE / JCP&L grid-hosting-limit work. The right pick for Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, and Atlantic County homeowners who want a Philly-side local rather than a Shore-based firm.
Exact Solar Local
Why listed: Cross-river installer with offices in Lawrenceville NJ and Newtown PA — operating since 2007 with NABCEP-certified staff and strong EnergySage reviews. B-Corp certified. Specialists in residential PV plus battery storage and EV charging for the Mercer/Bucks corridor.
National installers National
Sunrun, Tesla Energy, and Palmetto Solar are the major national installers still actively taking new New Jersey residential contracts as of 2026. Palmetto Solar currently holds EnergySage's Elite+ tier — the platform's highest installer rating. National installers typically have larger sales footprints but also higher financing markup and more variable local service quality than the state-based installers above.
Avoid — recently bankrupt or exited: Sunnova (Chapter 11 June 2025), the original SunPower (Chapter 11 August 2024 — the current "SunPower Inc." is rebranded Complete Solaria, a separate company), ADT Solar (exited residential solar January 2024 — warranty service only), and Freedom Forever (Chapter 11 April 2026). If a salesperson contacts you under any of these brand names, ask which legal entity is actually signing the contract and warranty.
For the complete list of national installers with state coverage maps, financing terms, and ratings:
New Jersey solar economics in 2026
| Metric | New Jersey average |
|---|---|
| Average residential rate | $0.17–$0.20 / kWh |
| Typical 8 kW system cost (cash) | $22,000–$28,000 before incentives |
| Average $/W | $2.75–3.50 |
| Average annual production (kWh per kW) | ~1,250–1,400 kWh/kW/year |
| Net metering structure | Net metering at retail |
| Average cash payback | 7–9 years |
For full state-by-state cost comparison see solar cost by state.
New Jersey solar incentives and rebates (2026)
New Jersey stacks federal credit pathways (commercial Section 48E for businesses and third-party-owned residential), state-level credits/rebates where applicable, statutory tax exemptions, and utility-specific programs. Below is the 2026 picture with links to authoritative sources.
Federal credits (2026)
- Commercial Section 48E (Clean Electricity Investment Credit): Available to businesses, farms, and to third-party owners in lease/PPA structures (which can pass the benefit through as lower monthly payments). FEOC restrictions apply — see FEOC rules guide and FEOC compliant parts list. IRS — Clean Electricity Investment Credit.
- USDA REAP grants (agricultural / rural small business): Up to 50% of project cost, with low-interest loan guarantees on top. Quarterly application windows. "Before you build" rules — you must apply before construction starts. USDA — REAP Program.
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible EV charging equipment + installation costs at qualifying locations. Expires for property placed in service after June 30, 2026. IRS — 30C Credit.
New Jersey state-level incentives
- SuSI / SREC-II: Per-MWh production incentive paid for 15 years. Residential rate $85/MWh as of 2025 — verify 2026. Among the strongest residential solar incentive stacks in the US.
- Property tax exemption: NJ Statute 54:4-3.113 — 100% property tax exemption for solar PV.
- Sales tax: NJ sales tax exemption for solar PV equipment.
Net metering & utility programs in New Jersey
NJ retail-rate NEM with annual true-up. See also net metering explained.
- PSE&G: NEM + SuSI www.pseg.com
- JCP&L: NEM. Hosting capacity tighter in some Atlantic / Ocean County areas
- Atlantic City Electric: NEM + SuSI www.atlanticcityelectric.com
- Rockland Electric: NEM
New Jersey SREC market
SuSI/SREC-II is the dominant ongoing revenue stream — installer registers your system at PTO; missing the registration window costs you 15 years of payments.
New Jersey battery storage incentives
NJ Energy Storage Incentive Program — periodic state battery rebates; verify 2026 budget status.
New Jersey EV charger and EV-purchase incentives (2026)
- State EV purchase rebate: Charge Up NJ: Purchase rebate up to $4,000 for new EV (verify 2026 funding).
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible equipment + installation in qualifying low-income / non-urban census tracts. Expires June 30, 2026 for property placed in service after that date.
- Many New Jersey utilities and cooperatives offer Level 2 EV charger rebates ($150–$800 typical) often tied to TOU enrollment or smart-charger requirements. Check directly with your specific utility.
Authoritative sources to verify before signing
- NJ Clean Energy Program: www.njcleanenergy.com
- DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency): programs.dsireusa.org/system/program?state=NJ — searchable national database, kept current by NC State.
- Federal IRS guidance: irs.gov — Clean Electricity Investment Credit
What to verify before signing in New Jersey
- Contractor license: Verify with your state contractor licensing authority before signing.
- NABCEP certification: Most reputable installers carry NABCEP-certified installers on staff. Ask which crew member holds the certification.
- Insurance: General liability + workers comp + roofer's insurance separate from electrical insurance.
- References from your county: Permitting and inspection requirements vary. Ask for 2–3 references from your specific county.
- Get at least three bids: Solar bids vary by 20–35% on the same scope of work. See how to compare solar bids.
Got bids from New Jersey installers? Compare them properly.
Upload up to four solar proposals from any New Jersey installer. The analyzer compares $/W, production estimates, equipment, and financing structure — and tells you which one to sign.
Analyze My Bids →Honorable mentions
Additional installers worth getting a quote from — strong NJ-based alternatives and regional installers that serve New Jersey from neighboring states.
Other New Jersey-based installers
Momentum Solar Local
Why listed: NJ-headquartered, vertically-integrated installer operating since 2009. Caution: Momentum has been through reported financial restructuring and layoffs in recent years — confirm current operating status, ask which legal entity is signing your contract and warranty, and get the SREC/SuSI registration commitment in writing before signing.
Infinity Energy Local
Why listed: Maplewood-based residential installer with strong EnergySage / SolarReviews ratings in NJ. Solar Power World-listed; in-house install crews.
Impact Solar Local
Why listed: South Jersey residential focus; advertises a 25-year workmanship warranty (verify scope and exclusions in writing). Useful complement to Solar by Omar for Camden/Burlington/Gloucester County homeowners.
Regional installers serving New Jersey
Worth a quote if you're near the NY or PA border, but expect longer drive times for service calls than a fully NJ-based installer.
Venture Solar Regional
Why listed: NY-HQ residential installer with strong North Jersey coverage and good roof-attachment engineering for older Jersey City and Hudson County housing stock.
Lumina Solar Regional
Why listed: Mid-Atlantic regional installer with strong South Jersey coverage from Philadelphia-side branches. Reasonable backup for Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester County homeowners.
Tip: NJ's SREC-II / SuSI program is one of the strongest residual-revenue stacks in the country. Make sure your installer registers your system in the program at PTO; missing the registration window leaves SREC dollars on the table for the lifetime of the system.
Frequently asked questions about New Jersey solar
Does solar make sense in New Jersey?
Yes for most homeowners with a $150+ monthly electric bill, an unshaded roof, and 8+ years of expected ownership. New Jersey's specific economics are summarized in the table above.
How much does a typical New Jersey solar install cost in 2026?
$22,000–$28,000 for an 8 kW system before incentives. Effective net cost depends on your state and utility incentives.
Should I get more than three bids?
Yes — three is a minimum. Four or five is better. Solar bids vary by 20–35% on the same scope of work. See how to compare solar bids.
Are there other reputable New Jersey solar installers besides these?
Many. The list above represents installers with strong public profiles in New Jersey; reputable installers exist beyond it. Get bids from a mix and compare them objectively rather than relying on any one list.