Solar Panel Cost in New Jersey (2023 Local Savings Guide)
By Karsten Neumeister /
In this guide to New Jersey’s best solar companies, you’ll learn:
In a state with such effective solar incentives, it’s important to choose a solar provider that knows the ins and outs of local energy policies. This way, you can make sure you get the most value out of your investment in solar.
With this in mind, here are our choices for the best solar companies in New Jersey:
For many residents of New Jersey, the cost of solar is the biggest factor in choosing an installer. We recommend shopping around to get multiple quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home.
To get started with free, no-pressure quotes from pre-screened solar panel companies in your area, click one of the links below.
Pros
Cons
Through its sister company Maxeon, SunPower delivers the most efficient residential panels on the market. With high-efficiency panels, you’re able to get more solar energy production with fewer panels, which is great for New Jersey homeowners who don’t see as much sunshine compared to, say, Arizona or Florida.
Unlike other solar companies, every single element of SunPower’s residential solar panel system is designed and protected by SunPower’s industry-leading 25-year warranty (covering panels, inverters, batteries, workmanship and performance). You also have the option to install SunPower’s SunVault backup storage system, which can help keep your lights on during a storm power outage.
There’s no catch, but there is a downside to choosing SunPower as your solar provider, and it’s the price tag. SunPower is one of the more expensive solar panel companies, though that’s to be expected with high-quality technology. But we admire that SunPower recognizes the high costs involved with going solar and extends several unique financing options, including a new, in-house $0-down loan with SunPower Financial, solar panel leases and power purchase agreements (referred to as PPAs).
Speaking of finances, SunPower’s superior technology starts right off the bat with online estimates and virtual consultations so you’re aware of all costs involved and won’t ever be hit with hidden fees.
SunPower’s customers rave about the company’s customer service and expertise in helping people go solar in New Jersey. However, because SunPower is a national provider, it does outsource its work to local providers, which has led to complaints of spotty customer service in some locations.
EcoWatch Rating |
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
5 |
A+ |
1985 |
$$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, System Monitoring |
SunPower Panels |
25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Green Power Energy is an outstanding regional installer serving New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island. With an incredible customer service reputation and headquarters in Annandale, NJ, Green Power Energy is sure to give New Jersey homeowners that warm, local-service feel.
Green Power Energy offers a full-service, turnkey operation, installing solar, storage, roofs and electric vehicle chargers. Built on core values of integrity, quality and reliability, it’s no surprise that Green Power Energy is a favorite in The Garden State. In fact, the company installed over 5,400 kW of solar throughout New Jersey in 2020 alone.
One of the things we like best about Green Power Energy is its variety of solar financing options. When you choose to go solar with Green Power, you can either complete a cash purchase or take on a solar loan or lease which makes solar more accessible to more people.
The only downside to Green Power Energy is that it’s relatively young compared to most competitors. But being founded in 2009, the company still has over a decade of experience and a proven track record for providing educational, no-pressure solar consultations and installation services, and maintains an excellent reputation within the industry and among its customers.
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Solar Roof Shingles, EV Chargers |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Trinity Solar is another long-standing installer with more than 25 years of experience in the solar industry. The company was established in New Jersey in 1994 and has been offering solar installations in the state since 2004.
Trinity prides itself on being the largest privately-held solar installation company in the country, helping more than 77,000 homeowners go solar. While the company has since expanded to serve eight Northeastern states and Florida, New Jersey homeowners can take pride in supporting a locally-owned and operated company.
We like that Trinity maintains a small neighborhood feel despite its size. For every consultation, Trinity contributes $100 to a local nonprofit of your choice. If you install solar with trinity, that contribution rises to $1,000.
If you’re in need of additional home improvement work beyond solar, like a roof replacement to support your solar system or additional electrical work, you won’t have to go through the process of finding another company. Trinity offers both roofing and electrical work alongside solar panel, solar storage and system monitoring installations, all covered by its 25-year equipment warranty.
Trinity offers a wide range of solar panel brands to best fit your budget, including cheaper brands like Qcells solar panels, plus additional equipment like Generec and Tesla Powerwall batteries. All equipment can be purchased by either cash, lease, loan or PPA, making solar more accessible to more people. On the downside, Trinity Solar only offers a five-year workmanship warranty, and it’s only available to you if you purchase your panels outright.
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Solar Services |
4 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Predictably, New Jersey Solar Power provides solar energy solutions statewide. With New Jersey homeowners at its top and only priority, you’ll be in good hands with NJ Solar Power. Because it serves no other states, this team specializes in New Jersey policies and incentives, making the process as smooth and advantageous for New Jerseyites as possible.
NJ Solar Power offers a complete line of turnkey solar solutions for both residential, commercial and government properties. Despite being a smaller company, NJ Solar Power has installed more than 2,000 solar projects in the state, claiming to have reduced CO2 in The Garden State by more than 17 million pounds. Should you need solar panel repair or maintenance, all of NJ Solar’s installations are protected by a 25-year workmanship warranty.
The company has a lot of authority to back up its name. NJ Solar Power has won numerous awards for environmental excellence and the New Jersey Clean Energy Project of the Year, and was even awarded Panasonic’s Residential Installer of the Year award for the Northeast region in 2021 — not to mention raving customer reviews with 4.8 out of 5 stars.
With $0-down financing options and some of the best solar panels available from LG and Panasonic, NJ Solar Power is sure to provide a transparent and reliable process from start to finish. In our eyes, the only disadvantages here are that NJ Solar Power doesn’t offer a wide variety of brands and there are no solar lease or PPA options, which might be an issue for some homeowners.
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Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, System Monitoring |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
With an above-industry-average warranty offering 30 years of protection for equipment, workmanship and energy production, it was a no-brainer to designate Solar Energy World as our “Best Warranty” pick. The company’s outstanding coverage gives New Jersey solar customers extra peace of mind that their solar investment is well protected even in the face of hurricanes, nor’easters and tropical storms.
Aside from its warranty, Solar Energy World is known for being one of the more affordable solar installers. Not only does it offer below-average pricing for solar panels and batteries, but it also offers all methods of payment, including cash purchases, solar loans, $0-down leases and PPAs.
Unfortunately, this company only offers solar panels and solar batteries, so if you’re looking for add-ons like electric vehicle chargers or smart home technology for energy efficiency, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Solar Energy World handles most of its installations in house, but it does serve six states outside of New Jersey. With that in mind, the installation process may vary in quality depending on the Solar Energy World contractor available near you, and some customer reviews have complained about communication issues with the company.
EcoWatch Rating |
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, System Monitoring |
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Impact Solar is another local solar installer that offers that small business level of care that we can all appreciate. It may have only been founded in 2015, but with a team of experts with a combined 35 years of solar experience, led by a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)-certified photovoltaic installer, Impact is a company New Jersey homeowners can trust.
Impact Solar is a full-service installer offering American-made solar panels and storage systems as well as unique design solutions. All equipment comes with the industry standard 25-year manufacturing warranty, plus an above-average 25-year workmanship warranty. Solar production performance is only covered by a 10-year warranty, which is a bit of a downside.
This New Jersey-owned and -operated company offers one of the most affordable solar options in the Garden State, plus a $500 referral bonus for customers referred to the company. With its local expertise, Impact Solar’s contractors will be knowledgeable on how to take advantage of more local and statewide solar incentives in New Jersey.
Unfortunately Impact Solar only offers solar panels and solar backup battery systems. If you want additional solar services, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4 |
A+ |
$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
Pros
Cons
Momentum Solar specializes in making the solar process as simple and practical for its customers as possible. Headquartered in New Jersey, Momentum primarily installs in states with excellent solar incentives and tax breaks — which is great news for New Jersey residents.
This company boasts thousands of positive reviews from customers across the nation. This is probably due to the fact that Momentum offers a concierge service for all customers, so you’ll have a personal point of contact throughout your time with them. With Momentum, you can say goodbye to long wait times and pushy sales people.
Despite the company’s size, Momentum Solar is still known for being affordable and a great way for homeowners to break into the world of renewable energy. It also accepts all forms of solar payment.
Momentum only offers solar panels and solar batteries at this time, but all of its equipment is protected by either 25- or 30-year manufacturer warranties. Unfortunately, the company’s workmanship warranty is only valid for 10 years.
We feel it’s important to share that Momentum Solar is currently facing a proposed class action lawsuit that accuses the company and its management of racial discrimination. As of October 2022, no verdict has been reached. EcoWatch has not independently verified the claims mentioned in this lawsuit but you can find out more information here.
EcoWatch Rating |
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
4.5 |
A+ |
2009 |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
Q Cells, REC, Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, Canadian Solar and others depending on location |
25-year manufacturer and workmanship warranties |
Most New Jersey homeowners spend roughly $19,400 on a home solar panel system, which comes out to $13,500 after factoring in the 30% federal solar tax credit (ITC).
These costs reflect the average solar panel system size of 7 kilowatts (kW), but you might be able to save money on solar panels if a smaller system could be installed on your home.
Breaking it down per watt, the cost of solar panels in New Jersey is about $2.77 — about 4% higher than the national average of $2.66 per watt. But don’t be discouraged. Homes in New Jersey also have lower energy needs compared to the average U.S. household, using about 200 kilowatt-hours less on average per month. That means a typical solar panel system in New Jersey will be more than enough to meet the needs of most homeowners.
Additionally, there are several ways you can save money on going solar:
Solar is becoming more and more popular in New Jersey because there are more and more financial incentives for homeowners who go solar. And after all, who doesn’t like extra money?
When you consider New Jersey solar incentives and electricity prices, it’s possible to get a solar payback period of less than six years. That’s awesome news for an investment that has a service life of 25 years or more.
Below is an overview of some of the solar incentives available in New Jersey:
New Jersey Solar Incentive | New Jersey Solar Incentive Overview |
Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) | The federal solar investment tax credit, or ITC, allows homeowners to claim 30% of their system costs as a credit against the federal taxes they owe. As it stands, the credit is set to reduce to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034 and will be eliminated for residential systems in 2035.1 |
New Jersey Net Metering | New Jersey offers a robust net metering program that gives solar panel owners credits for the unused electricity generated by their panels. These credits can be used to pay for energy pulled from the grid at night. |
Solar Sales Tax Exemption | New Jersey residents do not have to pay the state’s 6.625% sales tax on solar panels or other eligible solar equipment. |
Solar Property Tax Exemption | Installing solar panels boosts your property value in New Jersey, but the state doesn’t require you to pay any additional property taxes that would typically come with home add-ons. |
Transition Renewable Energy Certificates (TRECs) | TRECs allow homeowners to receive cash payments or utility bill credits for all renewable energy their panels generate. You earn one TREC for every 1,000 kWh generated by your solar panels, and each TREC sells for $91.20 (as of November 2021). |
As with other types of equipment, solar equipment has brand name labels that often correlate with quality and efficiency. Sure, it may cost a little more up front to pay for high-efficiency panels like those from SunPower, but with stronger panels, you’ll need fewer of them to power your home.
It’s probably wise to invest in a higher-efficiency solar panel brand in New Jersey because the state is not exactly known for its strong sunshine. Choosing a brand like SunPower will ensure that you get the most production out of your panels and a shorter solar payback period.
That said, The Garden State sees an average 206 sunny days a year (the national average is 205) making solar well worth it in New Jersey. That also means you could probably save money by picking a middle-of-the-line solar panel brand, like REC or Qcells and still be satisfied with your solar energy production.
If you live in New Jersey, you’ve just about seen it all when it comes to weather. You’ve survived blizzards, hurricanes and power outages, and with worsening climate change, who knows what’s next?
That’s why it’s extra important for New Jersey homeowners to choose a solar company that offers strong warranty coverage, like SunPower or Solar Energy World. Going solar is a hefty investment, so you’ll be grateful to have 25-year peace of mind that your money is well protected. Plus, it will help you avoid costly repair and replacement fees should your system be damaged or fail.
With that in mind, it’s also important to choose a company that has a reputation for good customer service, as an installer’s warranty coverage isn’t worth much if no one ever answers your call.
The way in which you choose to pay for your solar panels will affect the total cost of installation. We always recommend paying in cash if you can, or at least as much in cash as you can.
Cash purchases require the highest payments up front, but they save the most over time because they don’t require you to pay interest. Solar panel loans may make your equipment more affordable up front, but you’ll save less in the long run because of the interest you’ll pay over time.
See Also: Calculate How Much You Can Save By Going Solar
Multiple studies have shown that solar panels do increase the value of a home. In a 2022 EcoWatch survey, 63% of respondents said they would pay more for a home with solar panels than a home without.
Research from Zillow shows that homes with solar panels typically sell for 4% more compared to homes without.1 In New Jersey, where the average home costs roughly $551,000, that’s an expected increase of more than $22,000 — likely more than enough to pay back your solar energy system.
The payback may be even greater depending on where you live. If you live near the greater New York City metropolitan area, your home premium could increase by roughly $24,000.
If you’re a pretty handy homeowner or have some experience with roofing or electrical work, you might consider a DIY solar panel installation to save money on labor costs.
But how much will it save you, really? And is DIY solar installation a good idea? Let’s look at some advantages and disadvantages.
You Can Save Money
If you choose a solar company, you’ll pay them for services like solar panel design and installation labor costs. By eliminating those two expenses, you can shave major dollars off the total price tag.
You Can Start Small
If you’re interested in trying out solar and don’t want to commit to a system big enough to power your home, buying a DIY solar panel kit is a good way to “test drive” the solar lifestyle.
Professional installers are generally able to buy top-quality solar panels, solar inverters and solar batteries from wholesale distributors, which means they can collect and access a wider range of products and get them for lower prices than those available to the general public.
If you’re not confident in what you’re doing, the thousands of dollars you’ll save will just turn into more money spent on repairing or replacing your solar equipment, and potentially your roof as well. Worst case scenario: you’re also facing medical bills for the danger you put yourself in to climb up on a roof.
Depending on where you live, you may need to be a certified electrician to install your own solar panel system. Even if that’s not the case, you’ll still need permits and to figure out grid interconnection, which requires specialized knowledge and expertise.
The smallest things can go wrong and lead to rejection of permits by your local government, or worse, a major electrical mishap.
Also, your solar installer has experience with solar energy in New Jersey, so it may be able to get you set up with better incentives or solar equipment rebates that you may not know about if you’re going solar on your own.
Bottom Line: If you’re considering a DIY solar installation, we still recommend talking with a certified solar installer first. They’ll survey your house to make sure you’re even a good candidate for solar panels, and many solar installation companies offer consultations for free.
Even if you do decide to install solar panels yourself, having a company (or two) come to the house first will only help you gain more insight on how to complete a successful install.
Choosing the best solar company for your needs is key to having a successful solar panel system. But there are considerations that make certain installers a better option in the State of New Jersey compared to how we’d rank them for other states.
New Jersey homeowners should pay special attention to the following attributes when choosing a solar company:
As discussed earlier, New Jersey’s severe weather patterns make a company with a strong warranty even more desirable in The Garden State. You should choose a company with a 25-year manufacturer warranty and a production warranty of at least 15 years (although longer is better).
Of course, all solar companies can install solar panels on your roof. However, beyond this, there are a number of services you may be interested in. Because New Jersey is no stranger to storms, we recommend you install home energy monitoring systems and backup battery capacity to make sure your system is always running to its full potential and the lights will stay on during an outage.
Some companies may offer additional services like routine maintenance or EV chargers which can be bundled with your solar panel installation. Consider what features you’d like in your home and pick a company that can handle it all to get the best value for your solar system.
Cost, for many homeowners, is a deciding factor in the decision to hire one solar installer over another. We recommend comparing free quotes from a few companies and looking out for any available discounts. By getting multiple quotes, you may be able to save thousands of dollars on your installation — especially if the company you really want to work with has a price-match guarantee.
Another thing to consider is whether the company has the financing options you need, such as in-house solar loans or a solar leasing or a power purchase agreement (PPA) program.
When choosing the best solar installer near you, look for certifications that show trustworthiness and a reputable status within the industry. For example, employing NABCEP-certified technicians, having awards or badges from solar brands, or holding membership in the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) are good signs of a reliable company.
EcoWatch’s solar experts researched the product ranges, services, warranty coverage, financing options, customer feedback and industry reputations of each major New Jersey solar installer.
Using this methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company to narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in New Jersey.
Below are some of the criteria we examined specifically for New Jersey solar companies:
In a state like New Jersey where storms are prominent and sunshine isn’t always guaranteed, having a strong warranty is arguably the most important qualification. Most of the top providers offer 25-year performance guarantees. If a company offers anything less than this, we dock points.
Most New Jersey homeowners aren’t only interested in installing solar panels — they want the whole package. We only chose companies that offer solar energy storage systems in addition to panels, and awarded more points to companies that offered additional services like EV chargers and energy monitoring systems.
The solar industry is booming in The Garden State, which means there are a lot of new solar companies trying to break into the industry to capitalize on the money-making opportunity. We’re sure there are a lot of well-intentioned new companies, but unfortunately, there are also a lot of inexperienced, untrustworthy installers who will offer a low rate, do a poor installation and then never return your calls. That’s why all of the installers on this list have at least five years of experience under their belt, but we give more points to those who have been around longer.
This one is pretty self-explanatory. If everyone on the internet is complaining that Steve’s Solar Panels is a shoddy solar company, we’re not going to recommend them. We don’t expect 10/10 glowing reviews from every single person. Still, we read through dozens of reviews on various websites to make sure that solar companies we recommend have a good reputation and that the majority of their customers are satisfied.
New Jersey has a median household income of about $85,000, which is $11,000 higher than the national average. But no matter how much money you earn, a $19,500 solar panel system isn’t an easy purchase. That’s why we award more points to companies that offer a wide variety of payment options. The best companies understand that in a state as economically diverse as New Jersey, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions.
Each company we review offers different brands of solar equipment as part of its services. We typically award more points to companies that offer a variety of brands, as this will appeal to the most homeowners from a financial, compatibility and preference standpoint. However, companies that offer top-tier solar technologies, like SunPower, will also get higher points even though they only offer one brand.
With more than 200 solar installers in New Jersey, we were able to narrow down the most reputable installers to these seven: SunPower, Green Power Energy, Trinity Solar, New Jersey Solar Power, Solar Energy World, Impact Solar and Momentum Solar. We recommend getting at least three quotes from among this group, not only to see who will give you the best value, but also to get a feel for each company’s customer service.
Yes, solar energy is worth it in New Jersey. That may come as a surprise to some, but The Garden State is currently ranked 8th in the nation for solar power — a huge jump up from 17th in 2021. That’s likely because the cost of going solar has dropped immensely while standard electricity rates are on the rise, leading New Jersey homeowners to go solar to lower their electric bills.
This answer varies depending on how much sunlight your roof gets and at what angle. If your roof isn’t extremely solar viable, the best solar panel is probably a high-efficiency panel from SunPower that can produce more energy during shorter periods of time. But if you have a true-south-facing roof that gets ample sunlight, you may not need the highest efficiency and can instead save money on mid-quality solar panels.
Comparing authorized solar partners
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