Josephine NesbitContributing Writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Apr. 22, 2024
Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations
Read MoreJoin more than 1,246 people who have received a quote in the last 30 days.
Homefront Local uses a unique algorithm to score solar companies based on important factors like user reviews and how popular they are in your area.
High-quality solar panel installation in Trumbull, Connecticut, requires choosing a solar installer that is certified, skilled and experienced. To help you find the right team, we’ve assembled a list of the top solar companies in Trumbull.
Before deciding on an installer, ask others for suggestions, vet the installers you're considering and obtain quotes from multiple companies to find the one that is the best fit for your needs. You can go with a local solar company in Trumbull or opt for a well-known national brand.
While solar panels need a large initial investment, you can cut your energy expenses in the long term by making the switch. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), switching to solar energy enables Trumbull homeowners to save a yearly average of about $1,200.
Not every solar company extends the same offerings. Prior to arranging your solar panel installation, look at different companies' offerings and get quotes from each.
When looking into Trumbull solar companies, find those with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on sites like Google Reviews and similar platforms, as well as a positive reputation on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Read through reviews to understand other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and take note of mutiple bad reviews.
Regions with inconsistent sunshine, including those with extra rain or clouds like Trumbull, can still make use of solar energy. A few key motivations to start using solar power include these:
According to our survey carried out in October 2023, the average national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
What you'll pay to install solar panels hinges on factors such as your region, sunlight levels, roof positioning, shading, system size and labor. The cost rises if you pick any extras like batteries, solar trackers or animal guards.
In Trumbull, solar panel installation costs around $11,749, according to data from NASA, the EIA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
While solar panel installation might be a hefty initial cost, you stand to see major savings on your electricity costs over time.
In Trumbull, you can anticipate saving money once you've gone completely to solar. But it takes time to make back the upfront costs, and factors like precipitation and tree coverage influence how soon you'll get a return on your solar investment.
Beyond cost savings, switching to solar power also decreases your carbon footprint and minimizes your environmental impact. Provided below are the projected CO2 emission reductions you can expect from solar energy, as determined by our analysis of data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Homeowners in Trumbull can be eligible for several solar incentives. Certain are available across the state for all Connecticut residents, and others depend on your city, municipality and utility company.
Here are solar incentives offered to Connecticut residents, as listed by DSIRE.
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | Varies (local option) |
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | 100% of value added by renewable system |
Sales Tax Incentive Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Solar and Geothermal Systems | 100% exemption |
Rebate Program Residential Solar Investment Program | Customer-owned (EPBB): Up to 10 kW PTC: $0.358/W 10 to 20 kW PTC: $0.207/W Incentive is reduced accordingly for Design Factors below 75%. Minimum design factor is 60%. Third-Party-Owned (PBI): Up to 20 kW PTC: $0.03/kWh for 6 years Minimum Design Factor 60% |
Green Building Incentive Connecticut Green Energy Building Solutions | See Website |
Loan Program Smart-E loans | See Website |
Sales Tax Incentive Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Energy-Efficient Products | 100% exemption |
Loan Program Energy Conservation Loan | Single family homes (1-4 family units): $25,000 Landlord Loan: $40,000 |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program The United Illuminating Company - Small ZREC Tariff | $98.18 per ZREC (for Year 6 round of solicitation) |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Eversource - Small ZREC Tariff | $100.74 per REC (for Year 7 round of solicitation)Tariff for Small ZREC determined through PURA |
Loan Program Energy Efficiency Fund (Electric and Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Financing | $25,000 |
Rebate Program (Electric and Gas) Residential Rebate Program | Ductless Heat Pump: $500 Refrigerators/Freezers, Room A/Cs, Dishwashers, Clothes Washers, Dehumidifiers: Incentive Included in Retail Price Central A/C: $200 Air Source Heat Pumps: $500 Heat Pump Water Heater: $750 Lighting: Incentive Included in Retail Price Geothermal Heat Pumps: $500-$1,500 High Efficiency Furnace, Natural Gas Boiler, and Boiler Circulator Pump: Instant Discounts of $25-$800 |
PACE Financing Local Option - Residential Sustainable Energy Program | Locally determined |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy 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. |
Take time to evaluate these questions prior to hiring a professional solar panel installation company.
The right solar system size for you depends on how much energy your household utilizes, as well as the system's energy production ratio. More energy-intensive households often need bigger solar setups. If the system isn't big enough, it might not generate sufficient electricity to power your whole home.
Required permits and local or state regulations could influence your solar project. Be sure to apply for necessary permits through your local building department and schedule an inspection.
Not every house gets the same level of sunlight. Trees, rainfall and severe weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks adequate sunlight, you may need additional panels with increased wattage.
To conserve excess power, many panel systems feature a solar battery. This feature is invaluable in cloudy conditions and helps to mitigate power loss. However, adding battery storage can result in higher overall installation expenses.
You have choices among solar panel types, as they differ in design, life expectancy and efficiency. These elements affect cost, when you'll need to swap panels and space used on your roof.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.
Our guide explores the best solar companies available. Trinity and Elevation top our list for their services, and Sunrun rounds it out with its leasing options.
solarApr. 23
While you can save money installing DIY solar panels, it’s not a simple home improvement project and does require electrical know-how as well as roofing skills.
solarMar. 27
Sleek and innovative, solar shingles are gaining rapid popularity. They cost more than traditional solar panels but are also more aesthetically pleasing.
solarMar. 25
Solar panels last about 25 years, according to our expert. Our guide explains how to get the most out of your system’s life.
solarMar. 27