2023 Solar Incentives Guide for River Edge, NJ - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in River Edge.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted River Edge solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in River Edge?

Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption

Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program

Incentive Type:
Performance-Based Incentive
Net-Metered Residential: $90/SREC-II

Small Net-Metered Non-Residential located on Rooftop, Carport, Canopy and Floating Solar
Projects smaller than 1 MW (dc): $100/SREC-II, $120 for public entities
Projects 1 MW to 5 MW (dc): $90/SREC-II, $110 for public entities

Net Metered Non-Residential Ground Mount
Projects smaller than 1 MW (dc): $85/SREC-II, $105 for public entities
Projects 1 MW to 5 MW (dc): $80/SREC-II, $100 for public entities

Community Solar LMI: $90/SREC-II
Community Solar Non-LMI: $70/SREC-II

Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% of value added by renewable system

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) Registration Program

Incentive Type:
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Determined by the market.
In June 2016, SREC traded at an average price of $229.90.

PSE&G - Solar Loan Program

Incentive Type:
Other Incentive

NJ Clean Energy- Residential New Construction Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Incentives depend on the HERS score and the classification
Single family homes: Ranges from $1,125 to - 24,250
Multi-single homes: Ranges from $1,125 to $18,188
Multifamily homes: Ranges from $625-$12,125

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Rebates
Single family : $2,000 to $4,000
Multi-family : $500-$1,500 per unit
Rebates for single family and multi-family should not exceed 50% of the cost of the measures used to calculate total estimated savings (TES)
See table below for details
Loans
Single-family: $5,000 (Tier II) or $10,000 (Tier III) 4.99% interest loans up to $15,000 (where utility 0% financing is unavailable)

COOLAdvantage Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Central AC: Tier 1 $300(Tier 1), $500 (Tier 2)
Ductless Mini Split A/C or Heat Pump: $500
Air Source Heat Pump: $300 (Tier 1), $500(Tier 2)
Geothermal Heat Pump: $500

NJ Clean Energy- WARMAdvantage Program (Electric and Gas)

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Residential Electric Customers (including municipal utility customers):
Solar Hot Water Heater: $1,200
Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Geothermal Heat Pump: $500
Air-Source or Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $300- $500
Residential Gas Customers (including propane):
Gas Furnace: $250- $500
Gas Boiler: $300
Gas Water Heater: $300
Solar Hot Water Heater: $1,200
Oil Heating Customers:
Oil Furnace: $250
Oil Boiler: $300

Combination Rebate
Boiler and Water Heater Combination Rebate: $700
Furnace and Water Heater Combination Rebate: $700- $950

New Jersey Renewable Energy Incentive Program (Sustainable Biopower)

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
$900,000 or 30% of the cost per project, which ever is less

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives encourage people to switch their home over to renewable energy by offering financial incentives meant to lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. You may be eligible for several types of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the New Jersey government and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:

  • Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in one of two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption. This allows you to ignore the value added by your solar system when paying property tax on your house.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the total amount of tax you owe the federal government. Tax credits are different from tax deductions.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other similar performance-based incentives are generally handled at the state level. Once your solar panel system meets the threshold (normally a small amount of energy production), you are eligible to receive SRECs that you can then sell to your utility company or other buyers. The money you make from the sale is generally considered part of your taxable income.
  • Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant after your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your River Edge utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in others you might get refunded a percentage of the value.
  • Rebates: Solar rebates can be offered by your state or county, or by your local utility company. These rebates are essentially cash back that is applied after you pay for a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.

Federal Solar Incentives

When you think about solar incentives, you probably think of federal incentives first. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a certain percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, equipment and accessories. This credit can be claimed on solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The original claim amount was 30% of the total cost, although depending on when the project was completed, your credit may range from 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.

To better understand how the ITC could apply to you, reach out to your local River Edge solar panel installation expert and request more information.

The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022 and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners can receive a credit for 30% of the total cost. The percentage will then decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to obtain credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local River Edge solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

In addition to those provided at the federal level, there are often also state solar incentives. Rebates, tax credits and more may be available at a more local level. Some incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. Local solar incentives may come from your county or municipality, or from the New Jersey government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in River Edge

There are a variety of solar incentives: those offered by local utility companies, those offered by the New Jersey government and those offered by the federal government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has grown enormously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. It is a good idea to talk to your local River Edge solar installation expert for more information about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting the largest number possible for your solar panels.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
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  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
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  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

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4.5

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

EcoWatch's River Edge, NJ Solar Incentives FAQs

My home already has solar panels installed. Does my system qualify for any incentives?

An excellent idea would be to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar system — or call a local River Edge solar installer — to better understand which incentives you might qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.

How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in River Edge?

Typically, homeowners in River Edge who install solar panels save around $765.19 per year, or around $14,538.63 over 20 years after making the switch.

Who installs solar panels near me?

To learn about the best solar panel installation companies near you, read our article on River Edge's best solar panel companies.

What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my home?

Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also lower the CO2 emissions from your home by 300 pounds annually, or roughly 6,000 pounds over 20 years.

When does the federal solar tax credit end?

The federal solar tax credit, previously called the ITC and now called the Clean Energy Credit, is set to end on January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

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