Connecticut places a significant premium on maintaining its valued natural assets, which range from its sandy Atlantic beaches to various wooded retreats. Fortunately, Connecticut has made great efforts to help its citizens with sustainable solar energy. This tiny, foggy state has set the bar for other states to create a thriving solar sector since it has one of the fastest-growing solar companies in Connecticut and the country. Connecticut should remain a leader in solar energy for many years because of its robust RPS, net metering, and incentive programs.
One of the top solar-producing states in the US is Connecticut, which provides financial incentives to citizens who switch to renewable energy sources and lower utility bills. The state government as well as Connecticut solar companies, have made the conservation of natural resources a top priority and has enacted a tough Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) law that gives solar users tax breaks. However, net metering in the state is in danger due to recent legislative changes. Find comprehensive details about Connecticut’s solar energy, including electricity prices, solar panel installers, various tools, rebates, and incentives for turning green. We have compiled a list of top solar panel companies in Connecticut so you can choose the one that suits your needs and finances.
Sunlight Solar
With offices in Connecticut, Oregon, Colorado, and Massachusetts, Sunlight Solar Energy has been in business for more than 30 years. Many satisfied customers in Connecticut have given Sunlight Solar’s Connecticut branch a 4.9 rating on Google, complimenting the company’s speed among other solar companies in Connecticut, dependability, and helpful staff.
A Sunlight Solar expert will consult with you one-on-one to develop a solar power system that meets your specific requirements. If you’re a Connecticut resident, Sunlight Solar can even assist you in pursuing the federal and local solar rebates and tax credits that are available to you.
Your consultant will also verify that your project follows the regulations set out by your utility provider, HOA, and Historic District (if relevant). Connecticut is home to a wealth of historical sites, so having a knowledgeable guide on your side is invaluable.
Sunlight Solar is not our clear favorite due to its worse warranty coverage compared to market leaders (even though it meets the industry standard). The personal interaction and service will be worth the higher price than other solar panels-based businesses.
Momentum Solar
With a firm presence in the Northeast, Momentum focuses its energy on the quality of its regional services, contrary to other solar companies in Connecticut. Because they install regionally, they understand the freezing winter weather conditions that Northeastern states like Connecticut experience just as well as local solar panel companies.
We also love that Momentum solar prioritizes finding solar panels and technology rebates and incentives for its customers, unlike nationwide solar panel installation companies. Momentum will help you save money through Connecticut’s government solar panels and technology programs.
Overall, Momentum has high customer satisfaction thanks to its quality workmanship and customer service. Its in-house solar panel home installation process allows for faster turnaround times and happier customers.
One negative aspect of Momentum is that some critical reviews note overzealous sales techniques, which turned some customers away. Momentum has also faced allegations of systemic racism throughout the organization, but EcoWatch has not independently verified any of these claims.
PurePoint Energy
While PurePoint Energy is among solar companies in Connecticut, however, it has provided solar panels and associated technical services for over 15 years, they only install home systems in Southwestern Connecticut. However, they provide commercial solar solutions to property owners throughout the state.
PurePoint Energy, much like New York State Solar Farm, is an authorized SunPower installation. PurePoint’s electricians and technicians have passed the rigorous certification procedure required to become a SunPower dealer, so you can rest certain that your solar panels investment is in excellent hands.
Furthermore, PurePoint Energy has strong relationships with the Connecticut neighborhoods it serves. The firm gives money to groups like Live Green Connecticut, which promotes environmental sustainability in the community. It sends representatives to local schools to talk about solar energy and the promise of the future for green electricity, unlike many other local solar panel companies.
However, since PurePoint Energy only provides home solar installations in Southwest Connecticut, contrary to other home solar panel installers, we cannot recommend them as highly to anyone living in the rest of the state. PurePoint Energy operates largely in Connecticut and New York, focusing on solar installation for agricultural holdings, commercial properties, and non-profit organizations.
Earthlight Technologies
Since 2008, hundreds of Connecticut homes, businesses, and farms have gone solar with the support of Earthlight technology provided by high-end solar panels.
Since Earthlight is situated near Ellington, CT, they are familiar with installing solar panels there. A solar expert from Earthlight can assist you in claiming the federal tax credit and making the most of the state’s considerable incentives.
Connecticut has one of the highest energy costs in the country, so it is no surprise that it is also one of the most progressive in terms of installing new solar panels. Like many other solar companies in Connecticut, Earthlight uses this need to its advantage by providing services that assist consumers in reducing their energy use and associated costs.
Installation times may be lengthier with Earthlight than with nationally-operated solar providers like SunPower. There has been feedback from customers about solar projects taking longer than expected to finish.
EnergyPal
EnergyPal is a cutting-edge solar firm that provides impartial service with the intention of educating its customers about their energy use habits and solar panels. EnergyPal assists you in determining the brand, package, and configuration that is most suitable for your requirements, as opposed to the approach used by many other firms that only offer specific brands and, thus, push those products (including solar panels) on all of their clients. It may then put you in touch with a trusted partner contractor it has established to carry out the installation.
EnergyPal can provide solar panels and technology packages at far cheaper costs than other solar companies in Connecticut because it acts more as a consultant than a contractor.
Energy Pal’s services, as a Connecticut solar company, will be somewhat limited based on your location. Warranty terms and service offerings may differ by state or location, even though the company’s partners are well-regarded and trustworthy.
Support Connecticut in Going Green!
Reduce your reliance on Connecticut’s hazardous, polluting fossil fuels by producing and storing your own renewable energy. This will support the development of a more advanced, dependable energy system that utilizes clean, local electricity. Eversource (formerly Connecticut Light & Power) has a net energy metering (NEM) program that may allow you to receive credits on your utility account for the extra solar energy you produce and feed back into the grid. 17 Connecticut’s net metering program can enable you to reduce your upcoming energy expenses.
Cost of Solar in Connecticut
In Connecticut, the average energy cost is above $0.21/kWh, while the cost for businesses is $0.16/kWh. The majority of the expense is borne by residential consumers, who pay even higher rates of roughly $.18/kWh. Despite a slight drop in rates from 2009 to 2012, the cost of power as a whole has increased significantly since 2002. The desire of customers to move to more affordable power sources, such as solar, has been influenced by these high costs.
What are the Solar Policies & Incentives in Connecticut?
Many Connecticut citizens are switching to solar energy to take advantage of the incentives provided by the solar-friendly state government. In recent years, solar panels growth has been accelerated by state-sponsored schemes intended to attract municipalities and business owners. The government and General Assembly have a commitment to renewable energy. In reality, the state ranked 19th in the US as of 2019, with more than 641 MWs of solar panels capacity. The Residential Solar Investment Program in Connecticut, which provides a range of alternatives, including leases with no upfront expenses and cost savings dependent on the particular system, might be advantageous to homeowners. However, due to legislative changes in 2018, net metering will no longer be available to new clients when the Residential Solar Investment Scheme expires or when the new compensation program is established, whichever comes first.
Numerous solar panels and energy storage incentives in Connecticut significantly lower the cost of going solar.
The Federal ITC: The majority of solar energy and solar panels installations provided by solar companies in Connecticut qualify for the federal tax credit, formally known as the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which entitles you to a deduction of up to 26% of the installation costs of your solar system from your overall tax liability for the year of purchase. When solar energy is used, storage expenses are eligible for the ITC.
Eversource REC Incentive: customers are eligible for an incentive of $0.03 per kWh the system of solar panels generates. This is known as the Eversource REC Incentive. Quarterly payments are made for 20 years while the solar system produces power. An average 8 kW system would collect around $230–280 per year or about $4,500 overall.
Demand Response Storage Incentives: By allowing the utility to use stored energy during periods of peak power demand, battery storage owners can earn hundreds of dollars per year. In Eversource, the program was once known as ConnectedSolutions provided by local solar companies in Connecticut, but starting in 2022, it will also be made available to Unitil customers as part of a new Electric Storage Program.
Incentives for the Electric Storage Program up front: Customers of Eversource and Unitil are eligible to receive up to $7,500 for energy storage and solar panels installation. A step-down timetable for this new incentive for 2022 lowers the reward as more applications are received.
Exemption from State Property Tax: It has been demonstrated that solar may raise your home’s value. You don’t pay more taxes because you installed solar panels since Connecticut exempts this addition from your property taxes.
Sales Tax Exemption: Solar is exempt from Connecticut’s sales tax.
How Do Solar Power Systems Work in Connecticut?
Eversource Energy and Unitil, the state’s two investor-owned utilities, provide power to the majority of Connecticut citizens. State laws mandate that certain electric providers provide 1-to-1 net metering credits. This indicates that the amount the utility charges you for power is the same as the credit for extra electricity your PV system produces and transfers to the electric grid. Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives may not give the same net metering value since they develop their own policies.
Many Connecticut individuals are thinking about adding battery storage to their solar panels and systems to offer emergency backup power during grid outages as a result of storms and new incentive programs. The essential demands of the home are met during the day by solar panels and systems combined with storage, and any extra energy is saved in the battery for usage at night.
