The 5 Best Solar Companies in Connecticut

 According to the U.S. Energy Information Association (EIA), Connecticut is one of the fastest-growing small states in the solar energy industry However, with more than 130 solar companies to choose from, beginning your search for a provider may feel overwhelming. From Hartford to New Haven and beyond, we’ve researched the Constitution State’s best solar panel companies.

Get a quick idea of what the best solar companies in Connecticut have to offer with the table below.

• SunPower: Best High-Efficiency System
• Sunrun: Best Solar Panel Leasing
• Palmetto: Best Customer Support
• Venture: Best Northeast Regional Installer
• Momentum: Best Solar Panel Installation

Connecticut property owners who purchase a solar system may be eligible for various solar incentives, rebates, and tax credits. Those who purchase their solar system outright or by taking out a solar loan are eligible for the federal solar tax credit. This provides a tax credit equal to 30% of your system’s total cost. This credit is applied to your federal tax liability to reduce or eliminate your owed balance. 

Here are some additional incentives available in the Constitution State. 

• Energy Efficiency Loan Program: Connecticut residents may be eligible for a low-interest loan of up to $40,000 to invest in a renewable energy system. Loan payments can be added to your monthly electric bill to keep things in one place.
• Net-metering:  The state of Connecticut offers a net-metering program. These programs allow homeowners with a residential solar system to sell excess energy back to the grid for credits. This is usually at the retail electric rate. If credit remains at the end of the year, the system’s owner gets paid out at the wholesale rate.
• Property Tax Exemption: Connecticut offers a statewide property tax exemption on residential solar installations. Even though your property’s value may increase from a solar installation, your annual property tax won’t. Connecticut also allows municipalities to offer additional property tax exemptions at their discretion.

We’ve listed the most significant factors to look for when signing up with a solar company.

Solar Services

Look for solar companies that offer other services besides solar panel installation. For example, many companies also offer solar battery installation or provide active system monitoring for ongoing support. A company that offers these additional services is committed to ensuring you get the most from your solar system.

Warranties

We recommend looking for companies that offer a 25-year equipment/manufacturer warranty. Solar panels last an average of 25 years, so this warranty ensures they’re protected throughout their lifetime.

We also suggest you focus on companies with power performance guarantees that promise a certain power output level for a particular time. A power performance warranty is a marker of a high-quality solar company. A 10-year workmanship or labor warranty is fairly standard, so any company that offers converge beyond that is a reliable choice.

Payment Options

We recommend purchasing solar panels in cash or taking out a solar loan. These solar financing options are the most cost effective and provide the best return on investment (ROI). These payment methods make you the system owner and qualify you for federal and state solar incentives.

Solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) offer fewer financial advantages because the solar company remains the system owner, so you can’t use any solar incentives. We only recommend these payment options if you want to generate renewable energy and aren’t focused on the long-term financial benefits of ownership.

Customer Support

We recommend you look for companies with multiple forms of customer support, such as phone, email, and an online chat or service form. If you notice the company offers educational materials online, such as an online blog or videos, this is a sign that it likely cares about keeping you knowledgeable and informed.

Below are the common steps for getting a solar quote in Connecticut.

1. Contact the solar company: Contact the solar company online or by phone. You’ll need to provide your address for confirmation. Then, you’ll set up a time for a consultation either in-person or virtually, and the company can begin the design process.
2. Assess your energy needs: During the virtual or in-person consultation, you’ll provide your monthly energy bills to help determine your needed system size and power. We recommend having at least three months of statements handy to account for seasonal fluctuations.
3. Review your home design and roof space: A company representative will assess your roof space and condition and recommend any required repairs or updates. A virtual consultation may use satellite imaging to assess your home design, but the results can be less accurate.
4. Build your project: The solar company will provide a final, itemized quote with a detailed inventory of all required equipment. Add solar batteries or electric vehicle chargers to your system. Review your quote for pricing and warranty information, and discuss available financing options and local solar incentives.

Connecticut is an excellent state for solar power thanks to its government’s push to increase renewable energy. In 2022, the state committed to zero-carbon emissions from its electricity production by 2040. It also offers favorable solar incentives to make the transition more affordable.

We recommend Momentum Solar as one of the top solar contractors in Connecticut. The company makes switching to solar as easy as possible. It offers a range of financing options to fit your budget and is committed to helping you before, during, and after your solar installation. 

We recommend comparing at least three providers to find the best deals for your home.

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The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

• Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
• Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
• Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
• Financing options (15%)
• Experience (10%)
• Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.