Start with usage
Use a full year of electric bills and consider future loads before sizing the system.
SOLAR OWNERSHIP
Own your power. Plan for the long term.
A useful proposal connects the property, electric bill, system cost, utility rules and state programs—not just panel capacity.
Explore the Cost EstimatorDesign for the roof
Roof condition, shade, orientation and structural capacity affect production and installation cost.
Understand ownership
With a cash or financed purchase, the homeowner generally owns the equipment and its contract responsibilities.
The ownership path
Homeowners can purchase with cash or financing. Ownership may provide control over the equipment and eligibility for owner-assigned SREC-IIs, but also requires attention to monitoring, repairs, roof work and loan terms. Compare cash price and financed total—not only the monthly payment. ADI eligibility and certificate FAQs
Plan from annual electricity consumption
A qualified installer should review electric-bill history, roof age, shade, structural suitability, anticipated future use, municipal permitting and serving utility. New Jersey net-metering rules generally link eligible system sizing to annual energy needs. Extra credit carried to an annual reconciliation is valued differently from monthly retail bill credits. NJ net-metering FAQs
Registration and approvals are part of the project
- Verify site design and any HOA or roof restrictions.
- Confirm ADI registration timing and who receives SREC-IIs.
- Obtain municipal permits and inspections.
- Complete the utility interconnection review and wait for permission to operate.
- Keep final equipment, warranty and contract documents together.
NJBPU's 2026 adopted interconnection rule updated Level 1 technical thresholds for qualifying smart-inverter projects; actual review depends on system configuration and utility screens. NJBPU interconnection rule · NJ solar/HOA statute
State exemptions and federal tax timing
Ask how New Jersey's sales-tax exemption and Form ST-4 apply to the sale, and how Form CRES certification and filing with the municipal assessor are handled for the renewable-energy property-tax exemption. Form ST-4 · Form CRES
The IRS says the homeowner Residential Clean Energy Credit under Section 25D is unavailable for property installed after December 31, 2025. Do not assume a current federal homeowner credit in a new quote. IRS expiration FAQ
Questions worth asking
- Who designs and installs the system, and which subcontractors are involved?
- What annual production and degradation assumptions are used?
- What covers equipment, labor, roof penetrations and monitoring?
- Who handles permits, interconnection and ADI registration?
- How do loan terms or owned equipment affect a future home sale?
Make decisions from the final documents.
Illustrative savings are not guarantees. Compare the final cash or financed price, current utility tariff, equipment, warranties, incentive assignment and cancellation terms.