Solar Installation & Removal FAQs — New Jersey & Pennsylvania
20 quick answers to the questions we hear most often from NJ and PA homeowners, covering installation, removal, and costs & incentives.
Short answer: solar installation in NJ and PA typically costs $15,000–$30,000 before incentives and pays back in 6–11 years; removal costs $1,500–$4,500 and is fully coordinated with roof replacements. Permits, paperwork, and utility interconnection are all handled by Solarnova.
Solar Installation FAQs
Residential installs in NJ typically cost $15,000–$30,000 before incentives. SREC-II production payments, net metering, and the NJ sales and property tax exemptions reduce the lifetime cost. The 30% federal residential solar tax credit expired on 31 December 2025 and no longer applies.
Most residential systems take 1–3 days on-site. From contract to grid connection runs 4–8 weeks due to permits and utility approvals.
Most NJ/PA homes run on 7–11 kW (20–28 panels). We size based on 12 months of your electric bills to match 90–110% of consumption.
Yes. Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, and SolarEdge Home Battery all integrate with new or existing systems. Adds ~$10,000–$15,000 per 10 kWh.
25-year panel performance warranty, 10–25 year inverter warranty, and Solarnova's 25-year workmanship warranty on labor and mounts.
Yes — panels produce 10–30% of peak output on heavily overcast days. NJ and PA both have sufficient annual sun for strong solar returns.
Asphalt shingle, metal, tile, flat rubber, and standing-seam roofs all accommodate solar. Roofs with less than 10 years of life should be replaced before install.
Grid-tied systems shut off during outages for utility-worker safety. With battery storage, backup circuits keep running automatically.
Solar Removal FAQs
Residential removal alone runs $1,500–$4,500. Removal plus reinstallation (e.g., around a roof replacement) runs $3,500–$8,000 in NJ and PA.
A typical home system comes off in 4–8 hours. Reinstallation adds another 1–2 days.
Not when done correctly. Solarnova seals every removed mount with flashing patches and documents roof condition with photos.
Yes, but we need written approval from the lease holder first. Solarnova coordinates the paperwork once you share your lease.
Panels in good condition are stored for reinstallation. Panels at end of life or damaged go to a certified solar panel recycler.
Yes. We remove panels installed by any manufacturer or prior contractor. No relationship with the original installer is required.
Costs & Incentives FAQs
SREC-II (Successor Solar Incentive) pays NJ solar owners a fixed amount per MWh of solar production for 15 years. Current rates for residential are ~$85–$90 per SREC, generating ~$600–$1,200 per year for a typical home system.
Yes. PA offers SRECs and net metering, and some PA utilities offer time-of-use rate plans that boost solar ROI. The 30% federal residential solar tax credit expired on 31 December 2025 and no longer applies.
No. The Section 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit was terminated for expenditures made after 31 December 2025, so a system bought and installed in 2026 does not qualify. Third-party owners of leased or PPA systems may still claim the separate commercial clean electricity credit; that is their credit, not yours. Confirm your own position with a tax professional.
Direct rebates are limited — most incentive value now comes from state SREC programs, net metering credits, and the NJ sales and property tax exemptions. Some NJ/PA utilities run occasional battery rebates. The 30% federal residential solar tax credit expired on 31 December 2025.
Not in NJ — the state exempts solar-added home value from property tax assessments. PA policy varies by county; most do not reassess for solar additions.
Typical payback is 6–9 years in NJ (thanks to SREC-II) and 8–11 years in PA. Panels last 25+ years, so the remaining 15–20 years produce net-positive returns.