New Jersey Solar Panels: NJ Solar Rebates and Incentives
A resplendent Victorian, Cape May
Welcome to the New Jersey solar incentive and rebate information page!
If you have any questions, our network of solar experts are on call to assist you! Simply sign up for personalized help. You can get discounted pricing as low as $5,000/kW! This is paired with the very strong New Jersey solar incentives below.
New Jersey Solar Update
We’ve been singing the praises of New Jersey and solar power for some time now. Go ahead, search for “New Jersey” in our little search box on the right hand side of this page midway down. 
You’ll see plenty of our writings all about how states from all over the union could learn from what the legislature here has been able to accomplish.
Over the past several years, it’s become so popular to get residential solar panels in NJ that some of the performance-based solar incentives have become a little less juicy. How much less? Well, even though your solar power system will still pay for itself quickly and return you handsome profits, it isn’t quite at the fire-setting pace as it was before. Keep reading to find out how fast, and how much.
New Jersey’s Renewable Portfolio Standard
New Jersey certainly does rock when it comes to solar power, and that starts with the Renewables Portfolio Standard (“RPS”). An RPS is a law or other piece of regulation that mandates that a certain percentage of at state’s energy production comes from renewable resources by specified target dates. A strong RPS is important because it forces utility companies to promote conversion to renewable energy. That generally means free money for you in the form of solar power rebates and performance payments when you switch to solar panels.
NJ strengthened its RPS again in July 2012. The basic standard –now measured as a percentage of total sales rather than a fixed megawatt requirement– of 22.5% renewable energy by May 2021 –already one of the strongest RPS mandates in the nation– now includes a solar specific carve-out of 4.1% by May 2028. The result of setting the bar so high is NJ’s solar panel rebate and SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Certificate) programs, which offer home owners and businesses terrific incentives to get solar panels.
NJ Solar Panel Performance Payments
The heart of NJ’s solar panel push can be summed up in four words: “Solar Renewable Energy Certificates” (“SRECs”). Let’s talk a little more about SRECs, from the top.
So what are SRECs?
Think of SRECs as proof for the New Jersey’s utilities that they are complying with the law to produce their share of clean power. If they’re not producing that power through their own solar farms or wind farms, then they have to “buy” that power from someone else—you, Mr and Mrs. Homeowner. That means extra moula for you!
How do you get SRECs?
Each time your panels generate 1000kWh of electricity, you get an SREC which you can sell for cash! For NJ solar panels, the ratio of SRECs produced per year to system size (in kilowatts) is about 1 to 1. So if you’ve got a 5kW solar system (a solid average for a single-family home), you will generate about 5 SRECs a year.
How much are SRECs worth, and how do you get money for them?
SRECs are traded on an open exchange, so their value will vary from year to year. However, in New Jersey, their value is strongly correlated to the alternative compliance fee the utility would incur for not meeting their requirement to source some of their electricity from the sun. That fee has has been riding sky high -at $693, keeping SREC prices around $650. The alternative compliance fee is currently about $650, and will remain there through May 2014. However, because so many people have already taken advantage of those amazing SREC prices, the July amendments to the RPS have scheduled future reductions to the alternative compliance fees, signaling an imminent drop in SREC prices. In 2014 the alternative compliance fee will drop to $339, slowly decreasing to $239 by 2028.
That’s a big price decrease. On the other hand, it’s still a whole lot of money, paid straight to you every year! SREC prices should continue to track the alternative compliance fees, meaning you figure to bank about $1500 a year, even after the price decrease kicks in.
To get money for your SRECs, you can sign up with an SREC broker, such as SRECtrade. These guys handle the paper work, aggregate a lot of homeowner SRECs together, handle the trading with the utility companies and take a commission for their trouble. Their efforts are worth the hassle, since it isn’t cost effective for the utilities to connect with thousands of homeowners to negotiate a small number of SREC purchases each month from each homeowner.
NJ Solar Panel Rebates
New Jersey’s larger renewable energy program does offer rebates for some clean energy types. Unfortunately legislators made the decision to back solar power exclusively with the strong SREC market. That means the cost of solar panels in NJ may be a bit higher at the outset, but those tremendous long-term payments still more than make up for it.
New Jersey Solar Tax Credits
New Jersey also lacks any personal tax credits for solar panels. NJ’s pending reduction in SREC prices means a statewide solar power rebate or tax credit (with rollover, if necessary) would be an excellent way to keep solar growth humming here. With SREC prices still providing substantial payments, even a small rebate or tax credit would be a significant boon to homeowners like you, without costing the state all that much.
Solar Tax Exemptions in New Jersey
Contrary to other home improvements like a new kitchen or bathroom, with solar panels in NJ, you will not have to pay any sales taxes on your system. That’s 7% you’re saving right upfront, even without any statewide solar power rebates.
Also, when the property tax assessor comes a knockin’ at your front door, by law, they are not allowed to charge you any more property taxes because you’ve got a new valuable solar system on your roof. At the same time, your home WILL be worth significantly more when you sell, because, hey, what home buyer doesn’t like free electricity?
Utility Prices in New Jersey
New Jersey pays an average of 15.94 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity. That’s solidly above the national average of 11.43 cents/kwh. We know you hate paying that extra (almost) 30% on your electric bill. But where you’re currently seeing larger bills, you could be seeing bigger savings! Higher electricity prices means greater opportunity to save money by producing your own clean, earth-friendly power with solar panels.
NJ Net Metering and Interconnection
New Jersey is good to go with Net Metering. With net metering, excess power generation is credited to your next bill at the full retail rate. If you run a surplus for an entire year, the utility will cut you a check for the surplus at the company’s avoided-cost (wholesale) rate. All investor owned utilities and certain competitive municipal utilities and electric cooperatives are required to provide net metering.
Interconnection standards are strong here as well. Regulations have created a three-tiered system for interconnection procedures, depending on the size of the energy system. Your residential system of less than 10 kw qualifies for simplified procedures with no application fees. The law actually prevents the utilities from charging small systems like yours any additional fees whatsoever to get hooked up to the grid. Nor may the utility require you to install a redundant external disconnect switch, or to purchase any additional liability insurance. There is a bit of room for improvement on standard procedures for larger generators (hence the “B” grade), but everything should be smooth sailing for your residential solar power systems.
5kW Example Return on Investment for Solar Panels in NJ
What do all the numbers add up to for you? Let’s check:
Installing a typical 5kW of solar panels in NJ should start at about $25,000. Don’t worry – that’s going to drop fast!
- Since the feds calculate the federal solar tax credit based on actual out of pocket costs, no state solar power rebate means a bigger federal tax credit. Subtract $7,500 (30% of $25,000) for a new price of $17,500.
- Next let’s account for your NJ SREC payments. With prices still high for another 18 months or so, we estimate that in the first year your solar power system will generate $3,510. Subtract that for a new price of $13,990
- Finally we subtract your first year’s energy savings, which we estimate to be about $932. That brings your cost after the first year to $13,058, cutting your costs nearly in half already!
- With a conservative estimate for the future rise of electricity prices, you can expect your new solar power system to pay for itself in 5 lightning-fast years. After that you’ll be turning a profit for the rest of the life of your solar panels, which is typically about 25 years total. Lots and lots of profit in fact. We estimate your total profit to be nearly $45,000 over the lifespan of your system.
- In addition to those direct wallet-fattening savings, you also increased your home value by $18,650, all of it tax free.
- Maybe best of all, you’ve created a whole lot of green for the planet, on top of all that extra green in your wallet. All that the fossil-fuel energy you’re not using is the carbon-saving equivalent of planting 103 trees a year, every year your solar power system is humming.
These numbers are estimates. Your home is unique and how much power you generate and how much money you save depends on that uniqueness. The best way to find out how much cash switching to solar can save you is to get one of our free quotes, and an expert installer in your area can draw up a home-specific estimate for you. Your quote is 100% free (yes, that’s right, 100% free) and you can get as many of them as that smart shopper in you desires!
Consensus:
New Jersey’s Office of Clean Energy is charged with the success of the state’s aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard, which depends in part on installing “sufficient solar capacity to meet the RPS requirements, at the lowest cost to ratepayers, taking into account other policy goals – fairness and equity to all ratepayer classes, job growth, improved reliability/security and improved environmental quality.”
They have a big job facing them, but we applaud the New Jersey government and business leadership for putting their shoulders to the task. We’d like to see a statewide rebate back in place to bring down the initial out of pocket investment, but even without that initial discount, the cost after year 1 remains low, and the expected payback time frame is one of the fastest in the nation. That’s enough to earn highest marks with us.
Is there and if so a tax credit for solar heating my pool instead of gas or electric? Thanks
Thought I just heard on the news about a special financial incentive program to help farmers / agricultural producers in NJ install solar. Can’t be part of the residential incentive program that was defunded in 2007 … Any idea what this is?
Raising property values in NJ usually leads to higher property taxes so you may never recoup your investment.
I must correct myself. I wound up looking into this after I posted. Supposedly in NJ adding solar panels will not give the local municipality the ability to increase your property taxes.
So what is actually available today? The rebates are all used up and are not being renewed and the State legislature does not seem to be able to pass a law regarding the SRECS. Perhaps if they could find a way to use this to enable them to borrow another billion dollars against the taxpayers wishes they would be more inclined to do it.
With the price of energy going up and with no end in site. I would like to install solar panels, but with the cost and life of the photovotaic cells at 25 years, it doesn’t make any sense at this time.
were can i buy them direct ,the pannels ,?? i am overqualifyied to do the work but i am not aposed to saving money
Regional: Green Buildings Open House, October 4th
On Saturday, October 4, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association is welcoming the public to visit local sustainable homes and buildings throughout New Jersey and the Northeast to see clean renewable energy at work. Visitors to these buildings will be able to see how their neighbors and businesses are reducing their carbon footprint and cutting their energy bills through the power of the sun, wind, and smart building design.
The Green Buildings Open House operates in conjunction with the National Solar Tour. Homeowners and facility managers across all 50 states will be showing visitors the latest in recycling, renewable energy technologies, sustainable building materials, and energy efficient appliances.
Take a local tour to learn how you, too, can save by going green.
To find the Green Buildings Open House sites nearest you, visit http://www.nesea.org
Regional businesses, Basil Bandwagon Natural Market, 908-788-5737 (basilbandwagon.com) and Basil Brook Organic Pharm 908-788-6864, will participate in the open house again this year and provide information on Energy Star rated products, solar electric, Solatubes, Solar Star attic fans, passive solar design, solar pool heating, solar hot water, kickbikes, and an all electric car “charged by the sun.”
Posted by Michael Shapiro, Editor at 12:30 AM
can anyone enlighten me on yearly maintenance costs to a grid-tied photovoltaic system on a two-story house? i pressume the panels have to be cleaned of dust and debris?
Hi d,
You should try to rinse the panels off about twice a year. If you never rinse them off and let the rain do most of the work, it will not kill your system. Grime is not so awful, the killers are like big maple leaves, bird poop, anything that blocks a large section.
you can get away with never cleaning them if you have no large debris, if you do, you need to regularly clean that stuff off.
I am adding a room to my home and reconstructing the roof to accomodate it. I’m out of money but would like to incorporate solar energy into the construction. Are there grants out there that would give me enough to put it into my new construction without significant extra cost?
I have had my system since 2005 and the only time I have noticed it needed cleaning (decreased output) was during pollen season when we had not had rain for some time. A quick spray of the hose took care of washing it off. Unless you live near the shore (salt buildup can be an issue) normal rainfall should be fine. Most systems shouldn’t get leaves on them as trees need to be far enough from your roof to not cast any shadows. We added a squirel guard after installation to protect the wiring from nest builders so you may want to have that done during install.
I recently purchased Solar panels for my house i live in NJ and since 1980 there has been a law that exempts these purchases from Sales Tax, but they charged me Sales tax anyway, saying a need some tax exempt status,what forms if any do i need to get a refund from the dealer?
I am looking into installing Solar Power System on my home. can anyone point me in the right direction for a grant or low financing?
i am looking to start a career in the solar industry i have no experience and would like to join a company to train me in the industry.how do i find the right one?
“The return on a typical residential system takes about 15-20 years depending on the size and configuration of the system. The system itself has a life or 20-25 years. Do you see the problem here?”
These numbers just aren’t right. My 9.12 KW system is going to pay itself off in 4-5 years max (federal tax credit, NJ rebate, reduced/eliminated electric bill, SREC sales). The NJ rebate has shrunk since I received mine but I think the payback period in years is still single digits. Heck, I’ll rake in 6 grand a year in SREC sales alone (conservative estimate).
There’s no reason to think the system will last only 20-25 years. In fact, the manufacturers and installers warranties are usually for that time period which tells me that they they think the system life is longer. It’s really a simple system with no moving parts. Many panels from the seventies are still operating at 80% capacity or better.
Tom, check out my blog. It’s got lots of information on some contractors and what rebates and grants are available.
Also check out the New Jersey Clean Energy Program website:
http://www.njcleanenergy.com
You’ll have to find a way to put down a chunk of money but you can minimize it by taking the federal tax credit (now completely uncapped), the NJ rebate which goes directly from the state to the contractor (not from your pocket).
After you’re producing energy you can sell your SRECs. You’ll earn one SREC for every 1,000 KWH you generate (for me that will be about every four weeks). Right now SRECs are selling for about 600 bucks.
Of course, you’ll also get to watch your meter spin backwards and get credited for all the energy you put out onto the grid if you don’t need it.
I am not sure if this is still the case – does anyone know if do-it-yourself installation can get NJ rebate?
Installing panels on the roof is very simple and all would need do is hire an electician to make nessesary connections to the grid (less then $1000). It looks to me that about 30% of the installation cost is going into someones pocket. If I could get NJ rabate myself that would lower my cost and it would only take 3 years to recuperate costs.
The link from this article to NJ rebate info is broken:
http://www.njcleanenergy.com/renewable-energy/programs/core-rebate-program/incentives/core-rebate-program
I have trouble understanding the sale of SRECs.
One is generated for every 1000KW of solar electricity your system produces, correct?
It seems you can sell them for an amount based on the current market (ranging between $100 and $700 over the past few years). I currently am charged about 15 cents per KW by my electric company. That’s $150 per SREC. How can they sell for $650? The law of supply and demand?
So you not only don’t pay for electricity, you are paid to produce it, sometimes exorbitantly? Doesn’t make economic sense.
Something else doesn’t make sense. If you are paid to produce electricity, isn’t that an incentive to waste it? If you keep all your appliances on 24 hours, all lights etc, you earn more!
Correct me where I’m wrong, please.
Bill
Bill, did you read this post and the comments below?
http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/affordable-solar/solar-fred-info-recs-green-tags-oh-my/
There’s an explanation of the price in the comments.
As to being paid to waste energy, I think you’re misunderstanding the concept of an SREC. It’s not that you’re paid for the energy you USE, but the energy your solar panels PRODUCE. Your panels produce energy, whether you use it or not. Any excess is sent to the grid, and you get credited through net metering at night.
So, by buying your SRECS-which you don’t have to sell, by the way– the utility is complying with the law. It’s saying to the NJ legislator, “Hey, see Bill’s solar panels? I just bought his SRECs. You’ve made me buy 20% of my power from green sources, and, well, shoot, we don’t own many green sources right now. But Bill, he’s got 4kW of green solar energy. So if I buy his “SRECs” then you’ll credit me for producing green energy, not coal fired, and you won’t penalize me for not complying with the law to produce so much green energy by a certain time.”
So an SREC is like a gold star for utilities. They need to pay for them on the open market unless they own their own by building solar or wind farms. The price for an SREC is going to go up or down, depending on how many are for sale, but it’s more complicated on that. Read that post above.
Hope that helps!
Pingback: New Jersey Solar Rebates, SRECS, and Incentives – Updated
I have a large southern facing field on a 3 acre residential lot in clinton twp. i was thinking of trying to put a large solar system in that exceeds my residential needs but i was told that Nj may limit what I can sell back to the grid. Any resources that i can check out to verify? Thanks
Hey, Kevin,
Not sure of the fine print, but check out this NJ program website for the “guidebook download.”
http://www.njcleanenergy.com/renewable-energy/programs/renewable-energy-incentive-program
I do know that the size of a residential system is limited to 10kW, so can’t go more than that. Net metering rules apparently allow you to go above your annual usage and be compensated for that at the “wholesale’ rate, but I’m not sure if there’s a cap on how much you can exceed.
There’s some contact info on this site as well to ask more specific questions:
http://www.dsireusa.org/solar/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=NJ03R&re=1&ee=1
Hope that helps.
Pingback: Solar, Marshmallows, and Success
Is there any increased risk of fire when installing a solar or other green energy system?
Artstacks,
I can only speak to solar installations on this. Solar panels will keep your roof slightly more dry, so if you’re depending on a nice wet roof all the time to retard fires in your attic, you’re out of luck. That scenario being very unlikely, no, there is not any increased fire risk since all the conduit is protected and you won’t be seeing any sparks fly out of it. Would be more eye catching if it did spark up though, no?
My system (9.12 kw) is going to pay itself off in no more than four years, and that is without figuring in any rate increases for electrical power.
I can’t see how the solar panels would increase (or decrease) the risk of fire. The panels, even at peak sunlight, are no hotter than the shingles already on a roof. It’s not like they generate an open flame or anything.
It is a serious structural commitment to install the panels, which are bolted through the shingles and plywood right into the support structure of the roof. I’m not worried about it since I re-shingled before the panels went on but someday, somebody might need to do a new roof. It’ll be their problem (to have the panels removed and then reinstalled).
Pingback: Colorado Solar Power Rebates and Incentives – Updated!
Here is a question I have not seen addressed anywhere on the web!
What are the tax consequences of the “profits” generated from a solar installation in New Jersey?
Are the SREC’s taxable at either the federal or state levels?
If so, can the solar photo voltaic system be depreciated over the lifetime of the installation?
Is the New Jersey state rebate taxable on the federal level?
James, excellent questions for a tax geek. We are solar geeks here, so please don’t take our advice without double checking with your specialist.
First, the answer to many of your questions will depend on whether you are a business or a residence. If you are a resident, our understanding is that your state rebate is not taxable as income from the Feds or the state.
The income from RECs, on the other hand, I have no guidance on that. I suspect that it would be income because you have the option to sell them or not to sell them.
I’m not sure about the depreciation factor in New Jersey. However, I can tell you that solar systems in NJ are exempt from sales tax and any property tax increase.
Hope that helps. Please double check with your tax expert.
All this requires is low cost financing, if an individual has to tap his own resources not everyone has the credit to add 15k to 20k on top of their current credit needs. Guarantee financing at 5% for 10 years and the energy savings makes this an easy choice. Make people figure out their own financing options and it limits the number of people this will be viable.
Hey, Brian. I agree, but many companies do offer some kind of financing. In some states like Hawaii, the state also offers 0% financing for solar hot water. Then there’s the new trend in PACE financing, where you finance solar through a special tax assessment on your property.
Since every area and utility are different, I urge you to take the time to get a quote and your installer will tell you about the different types of financing available in your area.
Thanks for commenting.
i am considering getting solar panels on my roof. The only thing stopping me is that i don’t know anyone who has it. the installation company has told me i can get approx 1 srec credit per month, about a $600.00 value currently. I just would love to hear from someone who has this installed and the results they are getting as far as srec payments.
In response to owning solar panels, we hooked up about a year ago, our electric bill in the summer months is about $3.00. We are able to sell our SREC (each time you accumulate 1000kw it equals 1 SREC, sells for approx $500.00-$670.00. You can make around $8,000.00 a year. Winter months you don’t make as much, understandably. We are quite happy with the system.. HOWEVER… Has anyone determined if we claim the sales? Are we exempt because the money comes from us doing our part to preserve the planet? We still have to pay off the remaining balance of the system, although we were fortunate enough to get a good deal… Any answers???
Susan, I’m sorry, but we’re very limited on our tax advice here, since we’re mainly solar geeks, not tax geeks. My guess is that this would be treated as income but not sure about that. I would check with a tax advisor or your utility….who would be issuing that MISC 1099, I believe. If you haven’t gotten one, then perhaps it is indeed exempt…for now.
FYI, Gov. Christie froze all the rebates on NJ Clean Energy last week. So every NJ state rebate is in limbo right now. These rebates are a substantial reduction in the cost of your new solar system, so if they go by-by, then solar in NJ will suffer a MAJOR setback.
Thanks, Ritewinger for the news. Our understanding is these cuts may not apply to these particular NJCE funds, as they were already dedicated. But let’s see how that plays out.
SF, hopefully that will indeed be true, because I think there is an order that NJ electric companies must produce 20% of their total energy via clean energy by 2020. I’m starting a solar panel installation business and would hate to see the rebates disappear, UNLESS panel pricing would drop by a significant amount to make the rebate system unnecessary. I think the rebates hurt the industry in that people think of solar as a “gimmick” industry and a fad, as opposed to a long term solution. Can you imagine if 20, 30, 50% of Americans installed panels on their property??? AMAZING!!!
I am looking for a company willing to finance a commercial install in NJ for a 174KW system. Does anyone know which banks or any private entities that may help the owners finance this project?
Can anyone recommend a company/bank willing to finance a commercial 174KW commercial install?
I want a free estamate and free install
Well, we can do the free estimate part! http://solarpowerrocks.com/free-solar-estimates/
:-)
Hi, Interested in installing solar panels on my Bergen County Home. Can anyone recommend a installer . What would I expect the cost to be for a 5 to 7 killorwatt system ? Does NJ still offer any rebates , sale tax other incentives ?
The economics in NJ are possibly the best in the Country. Each home is different, I would need much more information. Fill this out and One Block Off the Grid can make you a quote using satellite photos, all over the phone, no need to come over to your home unless you decide to do it. http://solarpowerrocks.com/free-solar-estimates/
Cheers,
Dave
From my calculations and my bill I need 1530KWH as monthly average. I would like to go at 125% to take advantage of reverse metering and have room for heated pool and others later……
I have a cleared 1 acre lot beside the house so instead of roof mounts as it is a Tudor home with cedar shingles I was thinking of stand mounts on the extra acre – Any thought and pricing adjustments I would need to makes
I finished my 10K system in June and … did my research. I went with the highest efficency panels (Sunpower). The panel over produce there 10K rating. I also took advantage of the state rebate which for my system was $13,500. (that rebate has since been reduced) I expect to pay little or nothing for electric ever again. From $260 a month to zero. I did professional air sealing and had an expert evaluate my energy usage. The items which were not efficient Fridg/Old central air unit etc. were replaced. So I generated a lot of my electricty and now use less. I will get back about $20,000. on my fed. Tax. I borrowed this amount at zero interest thru my installer. I produced 4K in power in my first 3 months. Yes thats 4 X 650.00 so far. My electric bill this summer was all zeros. My system will pay for its self in approximately 3 years. Leaving me 12 more years to collect SRECs (15 year program) and pay nothing for electric. I highly recommend my solar installer and more importantly starting the process by interviewing 4 or 5 installers in your home. Its a 6 month to a 1 year process, but if your willing to put in the time its well worth it.
I think this just a temporary situation with the credits we have run into this same problem in Arizona.
Jim.NJ
Who was your installer?
Is there a disadvantage to have ground mount system vs. roof mount? I have large backyard and plan to install 11KWH system.
Hi NS,
Ground mounted systems typically will cost you a little more since they require a racking system underneath the panels. Also, depending on how far away you place them from your home will determine more cost, especially if additional trenching is required. You’ll probably be interested to check out these other adders to system cost. And, as always since you’re in New Jersey you should definitely check out the group pricing discounts available to you.
To Jim of NJ, who was your installer? I spoke to two and they did vary in product, type of installation and cost.
The reason I believe SREC’s are not taxable is because they are not income but return on capital investment(ROI). The solar industry is a non taxable industry at the current time. There will be no 1099 forms coming from your aggregator for now. We went with a 5.29kWh Trina/PvPowered system to offset 6500kWh or our 12000 kWh yearly use. So far we’ve done good thru the winter averaging 16 kWh even through a gloomy December where some days we couldn’t get 2! Really wish we had more roof space!Will look at a ground system to possible get some more going.
Hi,
My husband is in the process of getting a solar system for a home unfortunately our house is not is the right location and the panels will need to be installed on the side of our house. I think this will look terrible. He wants to do this and is going forward witht project. Home depot has a company that does installs with a company they use panels from BP. Has anyone had any contact or used this system. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
Hey Beth,
I wholeheartedly agree with the insane idea of solar on the side of the home. Who will see it? Will it be visible from inside the home? If no other roof location is suitable, then I would look at a ground installation given the right sun exposure, and barring that, solar Pv panels can be engineered to mount virtually anywhere the sun shines.. and once that meter starts turning in your favor, the monthly bill will look better than the side of the house until you realize WHY that bill looks better each month. Then , perhaps that side mount solar PV array won’t look so bad in the final review. Go for it!
I think the solar systems are are about the greatest thing i’ve seen in my life time so far. I am a 20 year liscensed (self employed Electrician ) looking to do solar exclusively. My problem is I need a partner to wear “the tie” and do the enormus amounts of paper work as well as some design. Solar rocks and i will keep trying….Thank you
How does one handle the problem of a tree blocking sunlight from hitting a solar panel that one wants to install on a roof in NJ? Does NJ have a law similar to California’s 1978 “Solar Shade Control Act”? That is, can a tree be legally cut down in NJ to facilitate solar energy production? If so, let me know at Jajosky@GMail.com
I have a similiar situation as the above person commented. I just submitted for a C variance that I will need to construct ground mounted solar panels. I believe my neighbors are planning to plant trees along the southerly property line to intentionally shade the proposed panels. There are 13 circles along the property line, on their property opposite to where the panels are proposed. They know where the panels are going because I notified them as part of the variance requirement and they saw the plan.
Are there any laws in New Jersey to prevent shading of the panels. I know California has a law about this, or can anyone offer any suggestions.
Has anyone installed solar panels on their townhome roof in NJ?
Jim NJ, can you post the name of your installer for me? I am in Little Silver in Monmouth County NJ. Thanks, Ben.
In 2009 I constructed a new hay barn on my farm in Sicklerville New Jersey and decided to install a 10kW photoelectric system on the roof. I used panels that are self adhering to the standing seam metal roofing installed on the South facing side of the roof. Since the solar panels were installed on the roofing before it was put in place, the roof became part of the solar system and I claimed a federal tax credit on the difference in cost between the regular barn roofing and the Standing seam. The total cost amounted to $75,377.26, which was higher than expected because all the wiring had to be explosion proof. (Example, a 200 amp electrical panel that could be picked up for $175 normally cost $850 in a dust tight version). For the first time in my life my timing was right on. The 30% Federal tax credit of $22,613 reduced the cost to $52,764.24 and the $1.75 per watt NJ rebate of $17,500 knocked it down to $35,264.26. Starting in July of 2010 I have sold 19 SRECs which has reduced the cost to $23,025 and will be selling an additional one this month for another $651. The system has reduced my power consumption by 22,291 kWh as of today which has saved me an additional $3500. I haven’t projected the pay-off date yet, but as you can see, it’s going in the right direction. I’m happy with the system. The panels produce considerable power even at lower light intensities. It was cloudy today but the were still kicking out 4000 watts when I read the production stats off the inverters at 4 PM this afternoon.
We just had a 3.8 KW system installed on our roof in Collingswood, NJ. We are waiting for PSE&G to switch out our meter so we can start accumulating SERCs. We were told we would get 6-7 SERCs per year with this system but finding this website it looks like we will only get 3-4 based on the system we have? Am I reading this correctly?
My wife was speaking to the building inspector who also has solar, he said he brokerages his SERCs himself and does not go through PES&G thus selling to the highest bidder. How do I go about doing this and if I set up to start with PSE&G can I change and do this myself? Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Doug,
First off, congratulations on installing your new solar power system. Indeed, we estimate from our experience you will probably be generating between 3 and 4 SRECs per year in New Jersey. If you are actually getting more than that, please let us know.
In terms of selling your SRECs, it is difficult to sell small quantities directly to PSE&G because you are relatively small potatoes – even though they are interested to get their hands on all the SRECs they can.
Therefore, we recommend using SRECtrade. They aggregate all the small potatoes together to comprise bigger SREC lots, which then get more easily gobbled up by the utilities. There are forms on the site to register, and you can always contact them for personalized help.
Warm regards,
- Dan @ Solar Power Rocks!
Hi
I’d like to know the rebate policy for NJ in 2011,Thanks ,If you can ,please give s sample case of PV to let me know the finance issues of the PV project.
Thanks a lot.
Hi everyone.. I’ve been reading about solar energy in NJ and would like to have one installed on my home. Can someone help me with some questions that I have about the system cost and how to pay for the system.
Thank you
Joe in Mechantville
Hi Joe (and anyone else curious in New Jersey),
I am available any time for a phone consultation and can help you answer any questions you might have about financing, incentives, and NJ rebates. I can also get you a quote. Send me your phone number at dan@solarpowerrocks.com, the best time to reach you and I’ll give you a buzz!
- Dan
Thanks Dan H for your help however if I already submitted paperwork with PSE&G do you know if I can cancel it at anytime? My installer is setting this all up and am wondering… also PES&G is to install a digital meter which shows the amout of energy they are getting and once an SRECs it obtained I guess they send me a check. It’s been about a month now and they haven’t installed the meter. We already lost a 1/2 an SREC… does anyone know how long it takes for them to come out? Asking my installer and not sure if I’m getting a real answer.
Doug
Hi Doug,
While the special meter will be nice, you don’t need it to claim your SREC and you haven’t lost anything. What’s important to keep is your electric bill, where hopefully there is an accounting of how much power you are sending back to the grid from your panels and how much you are consuming. If there is not, you definitely need to hound them to get the meter in because there’s no accounting of how much power you’ve created. With any sort of accounting on your bill, you will be able to prove you are generating your SRECs and can sell them. I’m surprised PSE&G has taken this long to get back to you. I’d recommend contacting them directly for the status of their meter installation.
Dan I haven’t looked at my bill. Do you know if PSE&G has such an accounting with thier bills? I did call them directly and it was installed about about 3 days however I did not get any info on how to read the meter? They are supposed to send out some sort of paperwork….
Curious about buying a house in NJ with solar system (5 yrs old) on roof, seller wants to take SRECs with him/her, but they are moving out of state. Can they retain SRECs when no longer NJ state residents? Also, what are the risks to a buyer of house with solar if seller retains SRECS. Any assistance is appreciated.
Does anyone know if Solatube (solar skylights) are eligible for a rebate or credit from NJ?
Are there seminars available to show private owners how to sell SRECs themselves? As I understand it we can I would like to learn more.
I have a slate roof can solar panels be put on a slate roof?
Susan, Indeed solar can be installed on a slate roof!
Yes, but it’s hard. It can be broken and will cost extra, and you will need to find an installer who will do it, but that is more than half of them.
Signup here and hopefully you can get sorted out: http://solarpowerrocks.com/2009/04/cheap-loans-feds/
About how much house value is increased with solar panels?
Hi Sally, home value is increased 20x your annual electricity savings with solar panels!
I live in Jersey City. I have a flat roof and no trees around my house that are tall enough to block the use of solar. I am sick of oil cost. Can someone let me know the cost of instillation and how you go about getting it.
Hi Gloria,
Fill out the form here, and that will get the ball rolling. The installation cost depends on your electricity usage and/or budget. At the least, you’ll get a free quote:
http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/free-solar-estimates/
can this be done on a commercial site? I have an old garage–flat roof with no trees-near an open field–a small strip mall next store want to install on garage and sell to them–is this possible??
mobile home? Is it possible for me to have it. Does it make sense?
Mobile homes are …. tough to do. They really need to be owned, and on an owned plot and immobile, which, well, means they’re not mobile homes. Sorry wish I could be more help. You can still sign up and take a shot: http://solarpowerrocks.com/free-solar-estimates/
Cheers,
Dave
I recently got 10KWH system installed on my Shed roof as did not want any thing on my house. It is about 100 ft away from my house and in open with south side facing slanted roof about 10 ft high from the ground. Its cost was little high. My installers and company I bought the system bundled all the cost into one. All I did was refinanced my house @no cost financing with my lender atul.rastogi@gmacm.com. Great thing is along with all the credits and SREC’s the interest on the investment is also now tax deductible. Since, it is an equipment I can claim the depreciation too. If my calculations are right I will be even in 3 years with all the savings, credit, interests and cost of electricity. With changes in technology there is a big improvement in system every 5-6 years and lower cost. I would be very comfortable in upgrading my system in 5-6 years and selling current panels back into the market for 20C on a dollar. Extra cash. My new system would be almost free and more efficient.
I have a question about the credit pse&g is giving me for my monthly solar generation. If I generate 400 kwh of energy, and use 800 kwh, shouldn’t I only be paying for 400 kwh? My bill just came in and I generated 452 kwh based on my solar meter. According to pse&g, I used about 800, and they reduced that by 200 kwh, not 452. Anyone know why that would be? It seems consistent every month, in that I generate much more than they reduce my usage by. .??? Help!
The first sentence is correct in theory, sounds like you need to talk to the people who installed your system.
How many panels does it require to handle a house that has 200amp service?
Space would be the issue.
Definitely interested, just need to understand more.
As always, depends depends depends depends (wish that was not the case). Good news is that with a 200A service unless you are using CRAZy juice, you likely will not need an (expensive) electrical service upgrade. Sign up here for a quote
http://solarpowerrocks.com/free-solar-estimates/
CAn you tell me if the tax credits are refundable tax credits.
Hello,when will you update this site things have changed a lot since 2010 and are you aware SRECs are trading for under 200 bucks per right now. There is no longer any state rebate for solar either. When will Christie sign the bill into law that will move us into the energy year 2014 so solar can move forward in this state. We are flatlining right now and solar will not rock until the SREC market can get readjusted. Update your site and get out of your cave so you can properly inform people.
Hello, I am doing a report on an analysis of the waste that is generated through used-up solar panels, and storage batteries that have reached their life-time capacity. However, I am really having a hard time finding this information. Can anyone suggest an article, website, or can explain? Thank You, Carol
Hey Carol! You can check out http://www.greenappleenergyusa.com for some info on what you’re looking for. we should definitely have it.
-Sharone Tal
I am in the middle of researching solar power in NJ. One question: I was told by someone that if there is a blackout, that even homes with solar will not have power. That somehow, because the power company doesn’t want the lines to be backfed by the electricity that I am generating that my house will still be without power even if I have solar. Is that true? Is there a way to set it up, via battery for instance, that my house continues with power in case of a blackout?
I am researching solar power and my house has a full house generator. Can the two systems work together?
if you install solar panel in my roof next month can i still get solar power rebate , tax credits, & insentives ?
Hey James, in NJ? Yes. Please fill this out and someone will help you. http://solarpowerrocks.com/free-solar-estimates/
Does solar panel installation require roof re-done if roof is two layered, 45 years old and second layer done 20 years back? If so is there any rebate on roof as it is pre-requisite for solar panel installation?
Probably, no reroofing is not going to be helped by any solar rebates, but you’re going to reroof when you need to re-roof regardless. Solar is somewhat independent. You’d like to time it, but if not, it’s not much more than a grand to pop off, reroof, and put back on. So, get a quote today :-) http://solarpowerrocks.com/free-solar-estimates/
Pingback: Has anyone experience with Solar Panels on House? - Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pocono area - City-Data Forum
I noticed a buildup of leaves and other debris under the solar panels on my roof. Any suggestions on how to clean it out so as not to have mold buildup on the roof?
@ Best way to handle that is climbing up on your roof once a year with a leaf blower and blowing around and under the panels. http://greenpowerdevelopers.com/