Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Earthlight Technologies installs residential solar panel systems for homeowners across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Oregon, with local offices in Ellington, CT; Northampton, MA; and Silverton, OR. As a family-owned company founded in 2008, Earthlight has completed more than 2,699 solar installations using fully in-house design, installation, and service crews — meaning no subcontractors are involved at any stage of a residential project.

Earthlight offers both rooftop and ground-mount solar panel installations for homes, allowing homeowners to choose the setup that best fits their property. Every residential system is designed and installed by NABCEP-certified, in-house teams, and each state's operation is staffed by licensed Master Electricians, ensuring installations meet local code and utility interconnection requirements in CT, MA, and OR.

Earthlight offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and solar leasing options for residential customers, giving homeowners a way to go solar with little to no upfront cost. These plans allow homeowners to pay for the electricity their system produces or lease the equipment directly, rather than requiring a full cash purchase or loan. Homeowners should speak with an Earthlight representative to determine which financing structure best matches their energy usage and financial goals.

Yes. Earthlight is a certified installer of both Tesla Powerwall and FranklinWH battery storage systems, which can be paired with a new or existing residential solar installation. Battery storage allows homeowners to store excess solar energy for use during outages or peak utility rate periods, adding an extra layer of energy independence on top of a standard solar setup.

Earthlight maintains an in-house service department dedicated to long-term support, including maintenance and ongoing performance monitoring of installed solar systems. Because installation and service are handled by the same company rather than outside subcontractors, homeowners have a single point of contact for system upkeep throughout the life of their solar investment.

Yes. Earthlight Technologies designs and installs commercial solar systems for businesses across a wider service area than its residential work — covering Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Eastern New York, and Oregon. All commercial installations are completed by Earthlight's own in-house crews rather than subcontractors, with licensed Master Electricians overseeing work in each state where the company operates.

Businesses can go solar through Earthlight using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or a solar lease, the same financing structures offered for residential customers. These options let a business benefit from on-site solar energy without a full upfront cash purchase, paying instead for the power produced or leasing the system directly. A commercial energy consultation with Earthlight can help determine which structure fits a business's energy usage and budget.

Yes. Earthlight is a certified installer of Tesla Powerwall and FranklinWH battery systems, which can be integrated into commercial solar installations. Battery storage gives businesses backup power during outages and can help offset peak demand charges, adding resilience and cost control on top of a commercial solar array.

Earthlight is a full-service energy company, meaning a business can work with a single provider for solar, battery storage, EV charging, roofing, and energy efficiency upgrades instead of coordinating multiple contractors. The company has been family-owned since 2008, is NABCEP certified and BBB accredited, and operates its own net-zero energy headquarters in Ellington, CT — built in 2022 — as a working example of the energy solutions it provides to commercial clients.

Yes. In addition to solar installation, Earthlight provides energy efficiency solutions for commercial properties, including LED lighting upgrades and smart efficiency improvements. These services are designed to reduce overall energy consumption and can be paired with a commercial solar system to maximize a business's long-term energy savings.

Solar savings depend on factors like a property's energy usage, location, roof or ground space, and current utility rates, so Earthlight provides a personalized consultation to estimate savings for each home or business. Broadly, Earthlight's goal is to help customers reduce dependence on rising utility costs through solar, battery storage, and energy efficiency solutions that build long-term energy independence.

Yes. Earthlight provides guidance on available state and federal tax credits related to solar installation, helping homeowners and businesses understand how those incentives may reduce the overall cost of going solar. Because tax credit programs and eligibility can change, customers should confirm current details directly with an Earthlight representative during their consultation.

Earthlight offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and solar leasing options, both designed to reduce or eliminate the upfront cost of a solar installation. With these structures, customers pay for the electricity produced or lease the system itself, rather than financing a full cash purchase — making solar accessible without a large initial investment.

Earthlight's stated goal is to help homeowners and businesses achieve long-term savings and greater energy independence by reducing reliance on utility-supplied power. Because savings depend on individual usage patterns, system size, and local utility rates, Earthlight determines specific long-term savings estimates on a case-by-case basis during a customer consultation.

Yes. Earthlight offers battery backup storage (Tesla Powerwall and FranklinWH) and energy efficiency upgrades such as LED lighting, both of which can further reduce energy costs alongside a solar installation. Combining these services with solar allows customers to maximize savings and energy independence through a single, full-service provider rather than coordinating multiple vendors.

Earthlight is a certified installer of both Tesla Powerwall and FranklinWH home battery storage systems. These systems store excess solar energy generated during the day so it can be used later, giving homeowners backup power and greater control over their energy usage.

The brief doesn't specify whether Earthlight installs battery storage as a stand-alone service without solar, so this is worth confirming directly rather than assuming — I'd recommend checking with Katie or Sam before this FAQ goes live, since the answer affects how it's positioned on the site.

Battery storage allows homeowners to keep their home powered during a utility outage and store solar energy for use when it's most valuable, such as during peak utility rate periods. Pairing a battery with solar adds a layer of energy independence beyond what panels alone provide, since stored energy is available even when the sun isn't producing power.

Yes. Earthlight installs Tesla Powerwall and FranklinWH systems across its full service footprint, which includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island (commercial), and Eastern New York (commercial). All battery installations are completed by Earthlight's in-house, licensed teams rather than subcontractors.

Earthlight's own in-house crews handle battery storage installation, and the company maintains a dedicated service department for ongoing maintenance and performance monitoring. This means homeowners have a single point of contact for both their solar and battery systems rather than needing to work with a separate battery vendor.

Earthlight provides a full range of roofing services, including roof repairs and leak remediation, new construction roofing, solar-ready roof upgrades, and roof inspections and assessments. The company also handles removal and reinstallation of existing solar systems as part of a roof replacement. All work is completed by Earthlight's in-house roofing team rather than subcontractors, giving homeowners a single accountable team from evaluation through final inspection.

Yes. Every roof Earthlight installs is backed by a 10-year warranty, along with a workmanship guarantee. Homeowners also have ongoing access to Earthlight's dedicated in-house Service Department for troubleshooting and support after the roof is installed, so warranty coverage isn't just a document — it's backed by a team that already knows the property.

Earthlight installs GAF roofing materials, chosen for their durability, weather resistance, and long-term performance. Combining premium materials with in-house installation is part of how Earthlight backs its roofs with a 10-year warranty and workmanship guarantee.

Yes. If a roof needs to be replaced, Earthlight's in-house roofing team can remove the existing solar system, complete the roof replacement, and reinstall the system as part of one coordinated project. This applies to current Earthlight customers as well as homeowners with solar systems originally installed by another company, protecting the solar investment throughout the roofing process rather than requiring separate contractors for each step.

Not always. Solar panels can typically be installed on a roof in good condition, but if a roof is aging or nearing the end of its lifespan, Earthlight recommends evaluating it first. If needed, Earthlight can complete a solar-ready roof upgrade to give a new solar system a stable, long-lasting foundation — evaluation, roofing, and solar installation can all be handled by the same in-house team.

Yes. Earthlight installs EV charging stations for both residential and commercial properties as part of its solar and energy solutions. EV charging installation is offered alongside solar work rather than as a stand-alone service, so it's typically bundled with a solar panel installation or existing solar system rather than requested on its own.

No. Earthlight does not offer stand-alone EV charger installations. EV charging is installed as part of a broader solar energy project, so homeowners or businesses interested in an EV charger through Earthlight should plan for it alongside a solar installation rather than as a separate, independent service.

In Massachusetts, Earthlight participates in the National Grid EV Charging Incentive Program, which may help offset the cost of qualifying EV charging installations. Availability and eligibility depend on the specific program requirements, so customers in MA should confirm current incentive details with Earthlight during a consultation.

Yes. Earthlight offers EV charging installation for both residential and commercial properties, provided it's completed alongside a solar installation. Commercial properties looking to add EV charging as part of a broader solar and energy strategy can work with Earthlight's in-house team to plan both together.

Earthlight's in-house, licensed teams handle EV charger installation as part of a solar project, rather than routing the work through a separate electrician or subcontractor. Because EV charging is installed alongside solar rather than as a stand-alone offering, it's typically planned and completed as one coordinated project rather than a separate visit or service call.

Earthlight provides commercial energy efficiency solutions including LED lighting upgrades, heating and cooling system optimization, high-efficiency water heating systems, energy management systems, and renewable energy systems. These services are designed to help businesses reduce operating costs, improve system performance, and build a more resilient operation.

Yes. Earthlight provides commercial energy audits for businesses in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Oregon. During an energy audit, Earthlight's team assesses a facility's systems and data, then provides specific recommendations on upgrades — such as lighting, HVAC, or insulation improvements — to reduce energy waste and lower overhead costs.

Earthlight's energy efficiency process follows three stages: Assessment, Design, and Installation. The Assessment stage includes an energy efficiency consultation and facility data collection. The Design stage includes design assistance, project analysis, and a proposal presentation. The Installation stage covers project management, measurement and verification, and ongoing service and support.

An energy audit from Earthlight can help a business lower operating costs, improve energy performance across systems like lighting, HVAC, and insulation, and receive customized upgrade recommendations tailored to the specific building. Additional benefits include increased building value, a reduced carbon footprint, and access to local and federal energy incentives and rebates that a business may not otherwise know about.

Yes. Reducing energy waste through upgrades identified during an energy audit — such as LED lighting, HVAC optimization, or better insulation — lowers a facility's overall energy consumption, which in turn reduces its carbon footprint. This is one of the core benefits Earthlight highlights as part of its commercial energy efficiency services.

Commercial battery storage is a system that stores electricity — either from the grid or from an on-site solar system — for use later. Businesses can draw on that stored energy to reduce demand charges, support critical operations during a power outage, and better manage when and how they use power throughout the day.

Yes. Earthlight is a CT Green Bank ESS (Energy Storage System) Program Certified Installer, in addition to being a certified installer of Tesla Powerwall and FranklinWH systems. Earthlight's in-house teams design and deliver battery energy storage systems (BESS) built around each business's specific energy needs, rather than relying on subcontractors.

Earthlight's commercial battery systems use LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery technology, which degrades more slowly than many other forms of energy storage. Estimated usable life and available warranties can extend up to 20 years, making battery storage a long-term investment in a business's energy strategy.

Federal tax credits are available for commercial battery storage under Section 48E, covering up to 30% of total project cost, with potential additional adders for domestic content or projects located in energy communities. State incentives and utility demand response programs may also apply and vary by location. Because incentive stacking and eligibility depend on project specifics, Earthlight's storage experts can help model the total incentives available for a given business and location.

Businesses with high energy usage, costly demand charges, critical equipment, or a need for reliable backup power tend to benefit most from commercial battery storage. This includes manufacturers, schools, municipalities, farms, multifamily properties, and other commercial or industrial facilities looking to lower energy costs and improve operational resilience.