Find out if solar panels are right for your home in Connecticut.
Connecticut, while not the sunniest state, has still been making solar steps toward a renewable future. Major projects in the state include the Quinebaug Solar project in Canterbury, which came online in 2021 with a capacity of 63.4 MW, which is powering over 10,000 homes. The Fusion Solar Center in Baltic, completed in 2018 with a capacity of 31.2 MW is capable of powering nearly 5,000 homes.
In total, Connecticut has installed solar infrastructure capable of producing 1,307 MW, powering 196,805 homes and contributing to a national ranking improvement from 28th in 2022 to 22nd in the first quarter of 2023.
The average price for a home solar panel system in Connecticut is $19,320 for a 6kW system or about $3.22 per watt. Systems will vary depending on the solar installation company the types of solar panels you choose and the size of your system. When shopping for solar panels you should consider getting multiple quotes from various installers.
| Average Cost 6 kW System | Average Cost 10 kW System | Estimated Tax Credit (10 kW System) | Average Cost/Watt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S.Average | $18,771 | $31,285 | $9,385.50 | $3.13 |
| Connecticut | $16,080 | $26,800 | $8,040 | $2.68 |
| U.S.Average | $18,771 | $31,285 | $9,385.50 | $3.13 |
| Most Costly State(Michigan) | $22,680 | $37,800 | $11,340 | $3.78 |
| Least Costly State(Arizona) | $14,640 | $24,400 | $7,320 | $2.44 |
For most, the ideal solar system size is the sweet spot between price and capacity. The goal is to generate enough electricity to cover your home's demand while keeping overall costs low as possible.
I.E. Get the best bang for your buck.
| System Size | System Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $13,400 | $8,785 |
| 6 kW | $16,080 | $10,542 |
| 7 kW | $18,760 | $12,299 |
| 8 kW | $21,440 | $14,056 |
| 10 kW | $26,800 | $17,570 |
Regrettably, solar energy isn't without its flaws. Our aim is to help you make the most informed choice for your situation. That's why we've gathered a list of advantages and disadvantages you might consider when analyzing a solar installation in your home state. We recommend considering all aspects.
Your perspective is important, and what you perceive as a downside might just overshadow the numerous benefits for you. We're here to lay out the pros and cons, empowering you to form your own judgment.
While Connecticut is not the sunniest state and the cost of solar is slightly higher than the US average there is still potential for it to be financially viable for a lot of residents.
First of all, the cost of electricity is significantly higher than the country’s average. The average monthly electricity bill is around $130, CT is at about $160. This means the dollar per power residents get back for their solar system with net metering will be higher. This may make up for not having sun all the time. Then, the additional state incentives along with the federal tax credit will help reduce the cost even further.
Things like your specific financial situation, roof structure, and house location will still sway a decision. Additionally, if you prioritize energy independence and renewable energy, other pros could sway in the other direction.
Consider getting an energy analysis from a local solar installer.
If you are on the fence you can use this tool to get an accurate cost breakdown for your home based on your historical energy usage.
There are several ways you can purchase and/or finance your solar panel installation in Connecticut. Your goals and financial situation will dictate which option is best for you.
The most straightforward option. You pay upfront for the entire cost of the rooftop solar system. No interest, and fewer headaches, but many people are hesitant about spending several tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
The most common method for buying solar systems. Like many other types of large purchases, you can finance your solar system through a bank or solar loan provider.
This sounds great, and many other solar loan salespeople will leverage the low payment to justify the costs. You will likely hear something like "You pay $250 a month on your electric bill, with a solar loan you will pay $200 and have free electricity."
Do your due diligence before you sign on the dotted line. There are many horror stories of variable loan terms, ballooning interest rates, and harsh missed payment penalties.
Leasing solar panels generally involves less money out of pocket upfront. But, it's important to note - you do not own your solar energy system. You essentially renting the solar system. A solar provider will install the equipment and charge you a fixed monthly fee.
Most solar lease contracts last for a couple of decades, during which time the provider will keep an eye on the system's hardware and performance. At the end of your lease, you can choose to:
Solar leases can be complicated. Not all are bad, but in many cases the lease terms in not in favor of the buyer. Before you decide on a solar lease make sure to read your contract thoroughly. If you don't understand something, ask an expert.
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a financial agreement where a solar company will design and install a solar system on your home or business with little or no cost upfront. Instead of paying a monthly fee like a lease, the agreement includes a fixed price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated.
For example, you agree to pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity generated for the next 20 years. The solar company will install and maintain your system and sell the power back to you that you use. They may also collect payment for any additional energy they put back into the grid.
Just like a lease, you do not own the panels. When the contract is up, they will either be removed or your contract may have other terms for you to buy or renew your power purchase agreement.
Power purchase agreements can be complicated. Before you sign make sure you review the contract and if possible have an expert in power purchase agreements review the details.
In addition to the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit, you may be eligible for solar incentives that could significantly reduce the cost of solar panel installation.
The state government has exempted solar panel systems from sales and property taxes, which means homeowners can save 6.35% on project costs immediately, and avoid increased property taxes due to the added value from the solar systems. To avail the sales tax exemption, homeowners need to present Form CERT-140 at the time of purchase. Moreover, the Connecticut Green Bank offers Smart-E loans with an APR ranging from 4.49% to 6.99%, facilitating up to $40,000 for home energy efficiency upgrades, including solar panel installations.
This table shows the available incentives in Connecticut. But, just because you don't see it here doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Check with your local utility for other potential incentives.
| Name | State | Category | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternative Fueled Vehicle Charging Station Credit | CT | Financial Incentive | Corporate Tax Credit |
| Connecticut Clean Energy Fund | CT | Regulatory Policy | Public Benefits Fund |
| Renewables Portfolio Standard | CT | Regulatory Policy | Renewables Portfolio Standard |
| Energy Conservation Loan | CT | Financial Incentive | Loan Program |
| Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Associated Equipment | CT | Financial Incentive | Sales Tax Incentive |
| Fuel Mix and Emissions Disclosure | CT | Regulatory Policy | Generation Disclosure |
| Residential Renewable Energy Solutions | CT | Regulatory Policy | Net Metering |
| CCEF - Commercial, Industrial, Institutional PV Grant Program | CT | Financial Incentive | Grant Program |
| Solar and Wind Contractor Licensing | CT | Regulatory Policy | Solar/Wind Contractor Licensing |
| CCEF - Renewable Energy Projects in Pre-Development Program | CT | Financial Incentive | Loan Program |
Property Tax Exemption: Solar energy systems installed on residential properties are 100% exempt from property taxes for the duration of their operational life.
Sales Tax Exemption: Solar energy equipment and installation services are exempt from state sales tax in Connecticut.
Green Bank Programs: The Connecticut Green Bank offers various programs to help finance solar installations, including low-interest loans and lease options.
Solar for All Program: This program, run by the Connecticut Green Bank, offers no-cost solar installations for income-eligible homeowners to help reduce their electricity costs.
There are hundreds of solar companies in Connecticut. From solar installers to solar loan providers, and manufacturers. Each is a piece of the puzzle to help you get outfitted with solar panels.
To make things simple, EnergyBot works directly with 3 of the largest solar companies to give you a comprehensive view of the market.
The solar companies we partner with:
We believe comparing these three names in the solar industry will give you the info you need to decide if solar panels are right for you.
Just because solar is a popular discussion right now, doesn’t mean it makes sense for everyone. It is still a large and expensive decision. Installing solar has great financial and environmental benefits but it won’t feel beneficial if you run into issues. Along with studying a 20-year cost comparison for your home, read some more tips to keep in mind when mulling over your decision on your installer, system design, and financial plan.
In the solar industry, the road to sustainability is not without its challenges. In Connecticut’s solar news, there is really a mixed bag of events.
One pressing issue is the environmental impact of solar farm locations. While solar energy is a cleaner alternative, the choice of location can have unintended consequences, such as endangering local wildlife habitats and contaminating water. Putting in a structure that diverts water run off into different locations can leave the streams to pick up more than it would otherwise be just raining onto the ground. On the surface, where abandoned farmland seem to be a great location for new renewable energy, there may be more challenges as you dig deeper. These dilemmas are exemplified in a recent article where a developer's choice of land for a new solar farm has sparked environmental concerns.
Another challenge facing the industry is community acceptance, particularly in the form of noise complaints, which may come as a surprise to many. Solar farms as opposed to smaller solar systems, can generate some noise from inverters and transformers. While the solar panels themselves don’t have moving parts to make noise, inverters and transformers do have some internal moving parts and as they are scaled up become more audible. This issue is highlighted in an article detailing how residents are raising concerns over the noise levels emanating from a nearby solar farm.
Fortunately, not everyone is complaining about solar in Connecticut. Companies like Dynamic Energy are making strides in sustainability by integrating battery storage systems into their solar farms. Battery integration allows users to optimize energy use by providing energy flexibility, resilience, and increased usage efficiency.
We have helped thousands of customers find electricity plans for their home or business. And we are pretty darn good at it, with over 1,000 5-Star reviews we know how to help you stay powered up.
Now using the same one-of-kind technology and platform we are helping consumers in Connecticut decide if solar is right for them. You will notice that sometimes our numbers make solar look less attractive. That's not by accident. We believe you should have full transparency during the solar purchasing process.
We aren't here to sell you something. We are here to help you make the best energy decision for your home or business.
The cost of solar panel installation in Connecticut can vary significantly based on a number of factors, including the size and type of the system, the complexity of the installation, your solar installer, and the specific location. However, the average cost of solar panels in the U.S. was about $3.13 per watt, before any incentives or tax credits.
A typical residential solar system is usually around 8 kilowatts (8,000 watts), but varies based on energy use and the size of the house. The US average cost for a 6 kW system is $18,771 and the US average cost for a 10 kW system is $31,285, before incentives. The average price for a home solar panel system in Connecticut is $19,320 for a 6kW system or about or about $3.22 per watt.
The number of solar panels you would need depends on a variety of factors such as:
To give you a rough estimate, let's say you live in a location that receives about 5 hours of peak sunlight per day, your solar panels have an efficiency of 20%, and each panel has a power rating of 300 watts. If your home uses about 10,400 kWh per year, you would divide this by 365 to get your daily energy use (about 28.5 kWh). You would then divide this by the hours of peak sunlight (5 hours), to get your required power output per hour (about 5.7 kW). If each solar panel produces 300 watts (or 0.3 kW), you would divide 5.7 kW by 0.3 to get the number of solar panels you need, which would be about 19 panels.
The installation process for solar panels can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the system and the complexity of the installation.
Your installer should be able to give you an estimated timeline based on your specific project.
Solar panels generally require very little maintenance. However, it's a good idea to have them inspected every few years to ensure they are working properly and to clean off any debris or dirt that may have accumulated on the panels. Most solar panel installers offer maintenance services for an additional fee.
Some skilled DIYers may be able to save some solar installation costs by installing solar equipment themselves. But, any solar installation will require a foundational knowledge of wiring and electricity. There's is a lot that can go wrong, posing a potentially deadly hazard.
Before you try to DIY your system we would recommend getting a quote from a solar installer. You may find that the labor costs of your install is relatively small compared to the cost of the solar equipment itself.
There are two main types of solar panels: Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. There are pros and cons to both. Either type can produce enough solar power for your home. We recommend getting a recommendation from a solar installer for your home. Depending on your budget, location, and other factors they can recommend the most efficient solar panels for your home.
Connecticut, getting a solar permit is pretty straightforward but can vary depending on your local jurisdiction.
Typically, you'll need to submit a permit application to your local building department, which usually includes site plans and system specs. Some cities have streamlined this process to encourage solar adoption. It's always a good idea to consult your local building department for the nitty-gritty details like required documentation and fees.
If you're working with a solar installation company, they often handle the permitting process for you.
