Solar is booming in New Jersey. Whether you want to install your own panels or battery backup, there are many options to consider.
Solar is booming in New Jersey. Whether you want to install your own panels or battery backup, there are many options to consider.
Join the revolution and harness electricity from the sun.
In order to answer this question, solar installers will assess your roof’s characteristics, including:
When you buy a solar PV system, you own the system, enjoy the monthly electricity savings, and receive the rebates and incentives. Solar system expenses commonly reach $15,000 to $30,000, but rebates & incentives can reduce the upfront cost dramatically. Depending on circumstances, the return on your investment can be impressive — some homeowners pay for the system within eight years but keep the panels for 25-30 years.
So, what exactly are these savings, and who provides them? Here’s the breakdown for a New Jersey homeowner:
Finally, another option is to lease a solar PV system. In this scenario, there are zero upfront costs and your electricity bill will decrease or even disappear, while the third-party owner collects the other benefits to offset their installation cost.
Commercial properties in New Jersey can enjoy these same incentives. However, Nonprofits don’t receive the Investment Tax Credit and may struggle to justify the upfront costs. For this reason, Nonprofits commonly pursue a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). For more information, visit the Energy Sage Solar for Nonprofits webpage.
The EnergySage Solar Marketplace can help home and business owners find and evaluate the solar options, including finding installers and reviewing loan or lease options.
Energy storage systems offer the ability to provide power to part or all of your home. When coupled with solar, battery backup systems can store generated energy and provide power when the sun isn’t shining. Batteries can also be used with PSE&G’s Residential Load Management Service to purchase energy from the grid during off-peak times, potentially returning even more money to your pocket.
Check the EnergySage website to learn about different battery storage systems currently available.
If rooftop solar isn’t right for your home and you have sunny open space on your property, there are two options for ground-mounted panels to consider. Standard ground mounts contain a metal frame to hold the panels at a fixed angle. Pole-mounted solar systems are raised on a pole, and many offer tracking systems to automatically rotate the panels toward the sun. Ground-mounted panels tend to be more productive panels since they can be installed at the ideal angle and, due to being easily accessible, are more convenient to maintain.
Early in your consideration process, be sure to investigate your local building codes and zoning restrictions. Princeton residents should start with the Zoning department. Learn more about ground-mounted solar panels via this EnergySage website.
While traditional rectangular rooftop solar panel arrays are booming in New Jersey, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), a new technology that integrates solar into your home, are also showing up in the market.
Unlike historic panels that are added on top of a shingled roof, these solar-enabled glass shingles protect your roof while also generating renewable energy for your home.
Several companies are now promoting solar tiles, including RGS Energy, SunTegra, and Tesla. Be sure to check your local building codes, prior to proceeding with these new and upcoming technologies.
Sustainable Princeton is a non-partisan, non-profit organization in Princeton, NJ with a mission to inspire our community to develop and implement solutions that positively impact our environment. It’s our vision that Princeton be a model town that examines every action through the lens of sustainability ensuring a healthy environment, a strong economy, and the wellbeing of all community members now and in the future.
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