Your Solar Questions, Answered
Everything you need to know about going solar in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut
Solar Basics
Start here if you’re new to solar — how it works, savings, panels, and ongoing care.
Why should I switch to Solar?
Solar power is a completely renewable, reliable and clean energy source. It reduces our reliance on power such as oil, coal and natural gas, which produce harmful emissions affecting our health and environment.
Residential solar energy systems represent an investment in the future of the planet, conserving non-renewable energy sources and protecting the environment. Going solar will provide a strong ROI for those looking for an investment, and can even provide monthly cash savings for those who finance.
In addition, solar panels and home batteries are becoming more affordable, accessible, resilient and efficient. In most states, you can switch to solar with no out of pocket costs. Solar energy can provide a peace of mind and energy security for households when the power goes out or the next storm strikes.
In New Jersey, customers pay predictable, affordable rates for 20 to 25 years. With home solar, you get to control your energy costs and with the added battery storage, you’ll no longer need to rely on an overly expensive utility company.
How will I know if my home is qualified for solar?
There are several things that will determine if your home qualifies for solar power. This is includes where your home is located, the angle of your roof, how much shade it gets throughout the day, and how old your home is.
Our solar engineers will do a full analysis of your home to help determine if your home is a good fit for solar energy. During this free consultation, they’ll also review your current energy usage, to get a sense of how much energy your home really needs.
How does solar energy work?
Solar PV (Photovoltaics) works by taking the energy from the sun’s rays and converting it into electricity. The sun’s rays contain photons. When these photons hit a solar module, electrons inside of the solar module move and an electrical current is created. This electricity then travels from the solar array to an inverter.
The inverter takes the electricity which is in DC form and switches it to AC. Once that switch is made to AC, the electricity is ready for use. From the inverter, the power is fed directly into the main electrical panel and can provide power to the site.
If the site demands more power than what is provided by the solar it will pull from the grid. If the sun produces more than the site needs, then that overproduction is put back into the grid for a credit in a process known as Net Metering.
How does the Infinity Energy system work?
The Infinity Home Solar Energy System is a complete solution that produces, stores, monitors, controls, and analyzes the energy in your home.
There are four main components of the Infinity Energy System:
IQ Microinverters are installed beneath each solar module and convert DC power to AC power. Each microinverter sends AC power to your home’s electrical panel (site load center) and transmits performance data over your home’s electrical wiring to the Envoy.
IQ Batteries work with the Envoy-S Metered, allowing you to store excess energy that your solar panels produce during midday and save it to use later in the afternoon and evening when you need it.
The Envoy Communications Gateway transmits performance information to the IQ Mobile App over the Internet.
IQ Mobile App software lets you monitor your system’s performance online and provides diagnostic tools for your solar professional.
What is Net Metering?
Net Metering is a billing mechanism which allows grid-tied solar producers to put electricity that they do not use from their solar array back into the grid. When the solar produces more power than the site needs, the utility meter spins backward and the account holder will have a credit against future energy use.
The solar producer is then billed for their total “net” usage at the end of the month which is the balance between the power pulled from the grid and the power put back into the grid.
Do solar panels work at night?
Solar panels need sunlight to create electricity–they’re dormant at night. However, you do still have power at night when you go solar through net metering or a home battery.
Net Metering Makes the Most of Your Solar Production
Connecting your solar installation to the grid enables net metering. When your solar panels produce excess energy, it’s sent to the grid. The utility company then provides credit on your account. At night, you can apply those credits toward drawing electricity from the grid so your solar power never goes to waste. Net metering operates in some form in all the states we serve — New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Solar Battery Storage Offers Energy Independence
Solar batteries maximize your panels’ daytime energy production and provide electricity for later use. So instead of sending your excess electricity to the grid, store it and use your own energy. You’ll consume electricity from the battery first before drawing from the grid.
A home battery or net metering enable your solar installation to access free or reduced-cost electricity at night. That’s how solar is a 24/7 affordable energy option. Our solar panels and IQ battery will have you covered both day and night.
What happens during a blackout?
During a power outage, the solar system automatically turns off to protect utility workers that may be working on power lines. This means that the solar system will not provide power to the house during an outage. It will turn back on automatically when the utility restores power to the grid.
The exception to this is home solar systems that have IQ Battery backup service.
Our IQ batteries can be used for backup electricity in the event of a power outage or better control over your power usage.
Do solar panels require maintenance?
Very little. Modern panels are designed to be self-cleaning with rain, have no moving parts, and require no scheduled maintenance. You can monitor performance through the Enphase app, and your installation comes with a 25-year warranty covering panels, production, and labor. If anything ever goes wrong, Infinity Energy’s in-house service team handles it — no third-party subcontractors.
How long do solar panels last?
Quality modern solar panels last 25–30+ years, with most manufacturers guaranteeing they’ll still produce at least 80–85% of their original output at the 25-year mark. Infinity Energy’s 25-year warranty covers panels, production, AND labor — one of the most comprehensive warranty packages in the industry.
Will solar increase my home's value?
Yes. Studies from Zillow and the U.S. Department of Energy show that homes with owned solar systems sell for 4–6% more on average than comparable homes without solar. The exact value varies by market — homes in NY/NJ/CT typically see strong premiums because of the region’s high electricity rates. Note: this benefit applies to purchased systems; leased systems transfer to the buyer but don’t add resale value the same way.
Can I monitor my solar production?
Yes — every Infinity Energy installation includes Enphase’s monitoring app, free for life. You can see real-time production from each individual panel, total energy generated, environmental impact (CO₂ offset, equivalent trees planted), and historical performance data. If a panel underperforms, you and our service team are notified automatically.
How much will I save if I switch to solar?
Every home is different and every state offers their own solar incentive programs. For example, New Jersey has some of the best solar incentives available. New Jersey homeowners pay $0 upfront costs to have solar installed.
Typically we see a 20% to 50% monthly savings on electricity depending upon your system size and sun exposure. Along with your significant monthly savings on electricity, you also get fixed pricing for years to come.
Costs, Financing & Incentives
What it costs, how to pay, and the state programs that bring the price down.
How much does a solar system cost?
The cost depends on system size, equipment, your roof, and whether battery storage is included. Most Infinity Energy residential systems range from $15,000–$40,000 before incentives. We offer three ways to pay: cash purchase (lowest lifetime cost), financing ($0 down loans, you keep ownership and incentives), or lease ($0 down, no out-of-pocket cost ever). Your Infinity Energy consultant will walk you through which option fits your situation.
What's the difference between lease, finance, and cash?
Cash: full system cost upfront, you own everything, lowest lifetime cost, access to all tax credits/incentives. Finance: $0 down loan, predictable monthly payments, you own the system and keep all incentives. Lease: $0 down, fixed monthly payment, the financing partner owns the system but some incentives still pass through to you. All three eliminate or dramatically reduce your electric bill.
What's a typical payback period?
For cash purchases, most Infinity Energy customers see their system pay for itself in 6–10 years, depending on your state, system size, and current electricity rates. After payback, every kilowatt-hour your system produces is essentially free electricity for the remaining 15–20 years of the panels’ life. For lease and finance customers, the math is different — you start saving from month one, with no payback period to worry about.
What about the federal solar tax credit?
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (commonly called the 30% solar tax credit) expired December 31, 2025 for homeowner-purchased systems following the One Big Beautiful Bill. Customers who buy or finance their systems in 2026 are no longer eligible.
However, lease and PPA customers may still benefit through the business solar tax credit (Section 48E), which can be passed through by the system owner as lower monthly payments. Your Infinity Energy consultant will explain how this affects your specific situation.
What is New Jersey's SuSI ADI program?
The Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) ADI program is New Jersey’s current solar incentive — it replaced the legacy SREC market. Homeowners earn a fixed dollar amount per MWh (megawatt-hour) of solar electricity their system produces, guaranteed for 15 years from interconnection. Rates are set by the NJ Board of Public Utilities and locked in at the time of registration. The program is available for cash and finance customers only — lease customers receive their savings through reduced monthly payments instead.
What is the NY $5,000 state tax credit?
New York offers a state income tax credit equal to 25% of qualified solar expenditures, capped at $5,000. Unlike the federal credit, this NY State credit is available whether you purchase, finance, lease, or use a PPA — making it one of the most accessible solar incentives in the Northeast. The credit is non-refundable but can be carried forward for up to 5 years.
What is Connecticut's RRES program?
The Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (RRES) program is Connecticut’s solar incentive program, administered through Eversource and United Illuminating. RRES replaced legacy net metering and REC programs in January 2022. Homeowners choose between two options: Netting Tariff (most homeowners) for full retail credit on every kWh sent to the grid, with credits rolling over indefinitely and locked in for 20 years; or Buy-All Tariff for selling 100% of solar production to the utility at a fixed rate.
Are there battery storage incentives?
Yes — Connecticut offers some of the most generous battery incentives in the country through the Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) program, with rebates of $250–$600 per kWh of installed battery capacity. On a Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh), that’s $3,375–$8,100 in upfront savings, depending on income tier and grid location. New Jersey and New York have separate, evolving battery incentive programs. Your Infinity Energy consultant will confirm what’s currently available in your state.
Are there sales or property tax exemptions for solar?
Yes — all three states offer significant exemptions. NJ: 100% sales tax exemption on solar equipment plus property tax exemption on the value added to your home. NY: 4% state sales tax exemption (Tax Law §1115(ee)), plus a 15-year property tax exemption under RPTL §487 (subject to local opt-out rules). CT: 6.35% sales tax exemption (CGS §12-412(117)) saves $1,500–$2,500 on a typical system, plus full property tax exemption. Your installer applies these automatically; no paperwork required from you.
Installation Process
What happens between contract signing and powering on.
How long does solar installation take?
The actual rooftop installation is typically completed in 1–3 days. The full timeline from contract signing to powering on your system usually runs 6–12 weeks, with most of that time spent on permitting, utility interconnection paperwork, and final inspections — none of which require you to do anything. We handle every step in-house.
Does Infinity Energy use subcontractors?
No. We use 100% in-house teams — Infinity Energy employees handle your sales consultation, site survey, system design, permit applications, installation, electrical work, inspections, and ongoing service. No subcontractors. This is one of our biggest differentiators in the NY/NJ/CT solar market.
What permits and inspections are required?
Solar installations require building permits, electrical permits, and a utility interconnection agreement — plus inspections from your municipality and your utility company before the system can be turned on. Infinity Energy handles all of this for you, including any HOA approval if applicable.
What happens after I sign my contract?
Here’s the typical sequence: site survey within 1–2 weeks, permitting (2–4 weeks), installation (1–3 days on your roof), inspections (1–2 weeks), Permission to Operate (PTO) from your utility, then system turn-on. Total: typically 6–12 weeks. You’ll have a dedicated point of contact through every step.
Will I need to be home during installation?
You should be home on day one for the crew to walk through the project with you, but the installation itself happens almost entirely on the roof and in your basement/utility area where the inverters and electrical panel are. Most homeowners go about their normal routine while we work. Brief power shut-offs may be needed during electrical tie-in.
Why does Infinity Energy use Enphase microinverters exclusively?
Each Enphase microinverter is paired with one panel, so every panel operates independently. This means better performance in partial shade (one shaded panel doesn’t drag down the whole system), per-panel monitoring, higher safety (DC voltage stays below 60V at the panel level vs. 600V+ for string inverters), and easier maintenance. Infinity Energy is an Enphase Platinum Installer — the highest tier of certified Enphase partners.
Roofing & Solar Bundle
How our GAF Master Elite roofing division simplifies roof + solar projects.
What is GAF Master Elite certification?
GAF Master Elite is the most prestigious certification in the residential roofing industry. Less than 2% of all roofing contractors in the U.S. qualify — it requires demonstrated craftsmanship, financial stability, comprehensive insurance, and a strong reputation with customers and the local community. Infinity Energy’s roofing division is GAF Master Elite certified — meaning when we replace your roof, the work qualifies for GAF’s strongest workmanship and material warranties, including warranty packages up to 50 years.
Should I replace my roof before going solar?
Maybe — it depends on your roof’s age and condition. Solar panels are designed to last 25–30 years, so if your roof is older than 15 years (or showing wear), it’s usually smarter to replace it FIRST or AT THE SAME TIME as the solar install — otherwise you’ll need to remove and reinstall the panels later, which is expensive and inconvenient. We do a free roof assessment as part of every solar consultation. If your roof needs replacement, we’ll tell you honestly. Because Infinity Energy has an in-house GAF Master Elite roofing division, we can do both at once.
What is the roof + solar bundle?
It’s a combined service where Infinity Energy replaces your roof AND installs your solar panels in one project, with one crew, one warranty package, and one project timeline. Advantages: one project, one warranty (no finger-pointing between roofing and solar contractors); cost savings (you save labor on the panel removal/reinstall that would happen if you re-roofed later); maximum warranty (GAF Master Elite plus 25-year solar warranty); and a faster timeline. This is one of the rarest capabilities in the solar industry — most installers can only do panels.
How long does a typical asphalt shingle roof last?
A standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof typically lasts 20–25 years. Architectural (dimensional) shingles last 25–30 years. Premium shingle systems with proper installation and ventilation can last 30–50 years, especially with GAF Master Elite warranty packages. If your roof is 15+ years old and you’re considering solar, ask about our roof + solar bundle so we can give you one combined quote.
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