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:
Each product and or company featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
New Jersey is an outstanding place to go solar, with the average resident saving over $23,000 with solar panels and enjoying a panel payback period that’s shorter than the national average. Choosing the right installer for your solar project is critical, though, as you need a company that understands the local needs of residents, like high-efficiency panels to offset the above-average energy prices in the area.
In this guide, we’ll share our top picks for the best solar companies in New Jersey, and we’ll explain what each brings to the table to help you decide which is the best option for installing your home solar system.
New Jersey is home to over 250 solar installers, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). We’ve reviewed the providers in the area and believe the seven listed below are the best of the best.
All of the companies mentioned above provide outstanding products and services, and we believe most New Jerseyans will be happy and satisfied with the work completed by any of them. Overall, we recommend SunPower or ADT Solar, as we believe these companies bring the most value for the money and are most likely to exceed your expectations and install a system that maximizes your energy savings.
The table below provides a quick look at how these installers compare based on a few key metrics.
Solar Providers | Superlative | Our Score | Avg Cost ($–$$$$$) | Warranty | Financing Options | Get Quote |
SunPower | Best National Provider | 5/5 | $$$$ | Varies – minimum of 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
ADT Solar | Best Warranty Coverage | 4/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash or solar loan | Get Quote |
Tesla | Best Technology | 4.5/5 | $$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
Momentum Solar | Best Regional Provider | 4.5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
Trinity Solar | Best Social Impact | 4/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and production; 5 years for workmanship | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
New Jersey Solar Power | Best Local Installer | 4.5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash or solar loan | Get Quote |
Impact Solar, LLC | Most Budget Friendly | 4/5 | $$ | 25 years for equipment and workmanship; 10 years for production | Cash or solar loan | Get Quote |
Pros
Cons
SunPower manufactures the highest-efficiency panels, provides industry-leading warranty coverage and has a positive reputation for good customer service and experience. Overall, we recommend SunPower to all customers in NJ, despite prices being on the high end.
Why We Chose SunPower as the Best National Provider
SunPower is our pick for the best solar company in New Jersey for many reasons. First and foremost, its sister company produces what are considered the highest quality solar panels available for home solar systems.
Not only do they have the highest efficiency rating available to maximize how much you’ll save on your above-average energy prices, but they also boast some other impressive performance specifications that should help you save even more.
SunPower offers two different warranty packages. The first is for its non-Maxeon solar panels and covers the equipment, the panel performance and the workmanship for 25 years. This gives you the ultimate peace of mind that your system is protected. This is particularly useful in New Jersey, where solar equipment costs are above average.
The coverage on Maxeon panels lasts for an unmatched 40 years, virtually guaranteeing more savings on those high utility bills than any other provider can offer.
What We Don’t Like
SunPower is more expensive than most competitors in Jersey, so you’ll end up paying more for a system from this installer. While the upfront cost is important to consider and can affect your long-term savings, we do believe SunPower is worth the investment, as the quality and performance of the panels are likely to pay for themselves.
Second, SunPower only installs a single brand of equipment from its sister company, Maxeon. This isn’t a huge deal, especially since these panels are the best of the best. Still, we do prefer companies that give customers options.
Read our full review of SunPower for more information.
Solar Products
As mentioned above, SunPower only installs a single brand of solar panel: SunPower/Maxeon. The panels used to be manufactured in-house, and they’re technically now manufactured by the sister company, Maxeon. The panels are equipped with microinverters, which can help save a bit of money since you don’t have to invest in a standalone inverter.
Again, these panels provide some of the most impressive performance specs, and their high efficiency rating will be helpful for offsetting the local energy costs, which are around 1.5x the national average.
In addition to the single brand of panels, SunPower also installs the following products:
Financing Options
SunPower accepts cash purchases, solar loans, solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
If you can afford the high SunPower prices, we strongly recommend a cash purchase. This leads to instant ownership, the fastest payback period and the highest savings overall. A loan is slightly less beneficial but more accessible.
Solar leases and PPAs can be good no-money-down options if you can’t afford a cash purchase and won’t qualify for a loan, but they save the least over time and don’t let you take the federal credit, which averages around $5,800 in NJ.
Warranty Information
SunPower’s standard warranty on its non-Maxeon panels — including the regular SunPower line — covers the equipment, labor and panel performance for 25 years. This equipment warranty is standard, but the labor warranty is 2.5x the industry average, and the performance warranty is five years longer than average.
The warranty on the Maxeon panels includes 40 years of coverage for all three, which is unheard of and guarantees that your system will continue to function for nearly twice as long as any other panels you could install.
On average, SunPower’s systems are expected to last for between 30 and 40 years.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
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 |
Pros
Cons
ADT offers one of the best warranty packages available. The coverage lasts for 25 years and helps guarantee that your system will offset the high electricity prices in New Jersey for years following your installation.
Why We Chose ADT Solar as the Best Warranty Coverage
ADT Solar covers its equipment, workmanship and panel performance for 25 years, meaning the coverage you get for workmanship is more than double what most companies offer, and you get five years of additional coverage for performance compared to most other providers.
This kind of protection is great to have in New Jersey, where systems are more expensive than in most states on a per-watt basis. Plus, New Jersey homeowners pay an average of over 16 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electricity, which is well above the national average. The long-lasting production warranty helps ensure your panels will continue to offset your energy needs, saving you more over time.
Despite ADT’s size and massive presence in the U.S., it still manages to offer excellent customer service by using in-house installers in the Garden State. This is great news in a state where many of the 250+ solar companies have spotty customer service as a result.
What We Don’t Like
There are a few drawbacks to choosing ADT for your rooftop solar project. First off, the company only accepts cash and solar loans. These are the only options we usually recommend for homeowners, but it does mean that the services are less widely accessible because those $0-down options — leases and PPAs — aren’t available.
ADT Solar also does run into some issues with response times, specifically after the installation is completed and if warranty claims are submitted.
This is especially an issue in places like New Jersey, where high energy prices can quickly stack up on your utility bills. Ultimately, delays in fixing warrantied problems can cut into your savings.
Read our full review of ADT Solar for more information.
Solar Products
Up until LG pulled itself out of the solar panel manufacturing industry, ADT Solar had a nearly exclusive partnership with it. Now, however, ADT installs panels from Canadian Solar, QCells and Silfab.
All of these panel options have above-average efficiency ratings and equipment warranties, making them all great choices for most New Jerseyans. QCells has a slightly lower average cost per watt, so choosing this manufacturer through ADT is likely to lead to the lowest upfront cost and the highest long-term savings.
ADT Solar also offers some other products, which we’ll list below:
Financing Options
ADT Solar is more affordable than SunPower and comes in around average in terms of pricing. However, it only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, so its services are going to be less accessible despite being relatively affordable.
Cash and loans are the only options we usually recommend, but we still prefer providers that offer leases and PPAs too for customers who can’t make a cash purchase or loan work.
Warranty Information
ADT’s warranty was the gold standard, alongside SunPower’s, until the longer warranty was announced for the Maxeon panels. Still, ADT offers outstanding coverage that is unmatched by most companies.
You get 25 years of coverage for manufacturer defects, panel performance and the installation labor. In our opinion, the performance warranty is most critical in New Jersey. It helps ensure your panels continue offsetting the unusually high local electricity rates.
However, the labor warranty is also great to have, as the state sees annual rainfall that’s well above average and can lead to roof leaks and other issues if your panels are installed improperly.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
4 |
A- |
2008 |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
Silfab, Panasonic and others depending on location |
25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Pros
Cons
Tesla’s panels have outstanding performance specifications and offer total control over your energy consumption and storage when coupled with other Tesla products.
Tesla’s size and the outsourcing of installations can lead to poor customer service in some cases. However, we still feel like it’s a great option for going solar.
Why We Chose Tesla as the Company With the Best Technology
As a tech company, Tesla focuses on the usability and performance of its products, and that shows in its panels and solar batteries.
The panels themselves have an above-average efficiency rating. This is ideal in NJ, where high production is more likely to offset your above-average energy bills. It can also mean savings on your system overall since high-efficiency panels can sometimes mean you can install a smaller system and still see savings.
Tesla Powerwalls are the leading solar battery option in the U.S. and continue to be the most popular. They come with unique features like StormWatch, which automatically reallocates your battery storage and charges batteries to prepare for major storms that are likely to cause power outages, a common occurrence in New Jersey.
Additionally, Tesla offers price matching for its panels, which means you’re likely to pay less for a system installed by Tesla than you would from most competitors.
What We Don’t Like
There are a few downsides to working with Tesla for solar energy. First off, Tesla outsources all of its installations to third-party companies. This means that customer service varies widely based on the installer and your location. If you want to guarantee that you get an experienced solar contractor that is professional and courteous, Tesla might not be the way to go.
Additionally, Tesla only installs its own products. This is what allows the company to offer price matching, but we prefer when companies have a few options to choose from that can appeal to a wider base of customers.
Read our full review of Tesla for more information.
Solar Products
Tesla only installs its own panels, so if you’re looking for a solar company that can select a panel brand specifically tailored to your home, budget and energy needs, Tesla probably isn’t ideal for you.
Tesla is also one of the few installers that manufactures and installs solar roof shingles, so it might be a good option if you don’t mind spending more on a solar roof over solar panels for the aesthetic.
We’ll include a brief list of the other products Tesla installs below, aside from panels and solar roofing:
Financing Options
Not only does Tesla have below-average pricing to keep its products accessible, but it also accepts all four of the main solar payment options, including cash purchases, solar loans, leases and PPAs.
Again, we generally only recommend cash or a loan. These give you access to the federal income tax credit and yield the most impressive savings over time. Plus, they boost your home value, whereas leases and PPAs typically don’t. Cash and solar loans are more accessible with a company like Tesla, too, given the low installation costs.
Warranty Information
Tesla offers the standard 25-year warranty for its equipment, but the 25-year production warranty is slightly longer than the 20 years you’d get from most other providers. The labor warranty from Tesla lasts for ten years. This is in line with the industry standard, but it’s not nearly as desirable as what you’d get from companies like SunPower or ADT.
Overall, the warranty coverage is slightly better than the industry average. Panels from Tesla are expected to last and continue offsetting your electric bills for around 20 to 25 years.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
C |
$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Solar Roof Shingles, System Monitoring |
Pros
Cons
Momentum Solar offers a more personalized experience and has technicians that are intimately familiar with New Jersey customers’ solar requirements and the local solar incentives.
Unfortunately, Momentum Solar is also in the midst of a lawsuit for racial discrimination; at this time, no verdict has been reached.
Why We Chose Momentum as the Best Regional Provider
Momentum Solar stands out in New Jersey for its service and attention to providing an outstanding customer experience. It continues to provide outstanding service in a few ways.
First, its salespeople and technicians are all trained on local solar incentives and rebate programs in New Jersey, and they understand the energy needs and how the local weather conditions affect solar system sizing in the area. That means you’ll get local expertise, despite the fact that this is a larger regional company.
Additionally, Momentum stands apart from its competitors because it offers a concierge service to all customers. Rather than getting passed around from representative to representative within the company throughout the installation and post-installation process, you’ll always have a single point of contact. This makes it super easy to contact Momentum and get the service you expect and deserve.
Momentum also maintains affordable pricing, accepts all major payment options for maximum accessibility.
What We Don’t Like
The company is in the middle of a racial discrimination lawsuit with six of its former employees. There hasn’t been any resolution yet or confirmation that the company is guilty of the allegations, but still, it doesn’t look good that it was involved in the first place.
Second, the company currently only installs solar panels and batteries, so its service offerings are somewhat limited. We’d love to see the provider add EV chargers and other energy-efficient home improvements to its list of services, as this would help it appeal to more customers throughout the Garden State.
Solar Products
Unlike some other providers, Momentum doesn’t limit its product offerings to one or two panel manufacturers. Instead, it can install photovoltaic (PV) panels from a wide variety of companies. That means you can customize your system a bit, so you can choose a particular brand to get the maximum efficiency or a different one to keep installation costs down.
While Momentum works with many manufacturers, we should mention that it only installs tier-one monocrystalline panels, so you’ll always get a reliable and efficient brand.
Momentum Solar also provides the following products to its customers:
Financing Options
Momentum accepts cash purchases, loans, leases and PPAs, so its services and the products it offers are going to be accessible to just about every New Jersey resident. We strongly recommend paying with cash or a loan, as these are better for you in the long run.
Warranty Information
Momentum includes robust warranty coverage with all of its systems, which includes a 25-year warranty for the equipment, panel production and workmanship.
We believe the production warranty is the most critical coverage to have in NJ, as guaranteed high production means your system is more likely to eliminate your above-average energy bills. The production warranty from Momentum is five years longer than the industry average.
Since Momentum works with a variety of panel manufacturers, your panels could last anywhere from 20 to 30 years if you choose this installer.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
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 |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Trinity Solar gives back to the community and makes charitable donations for every single solar quote it provides and additional contributions for every installation it completes.
It only offers a five-year warranty for the workmanship, but we think the company’s experience makes up for this, for the most part.
Why We Chose Trinity Solar as the Company With the Best Social Impact
For every “solar sit,” which is a free consultation with a customer, Trinity donates $100 to the charity of the customer’s choice. It also bumps up that donation to $1,000 if you actually go solar with the company, so a good portion of every sale made by Trinity goes directly to charity.
Trinity Solar also offers excellent customer care and brings decades of local expertise to the table. While it doesn’t have a concierge service like Momentum, its sales reps and technicians are all super knowledgeable, friendly and are willing and able to help customers take advantage of local incentives.
Trinity installs a nice variety of solar panels, some of which can help keep your installation costs down. This is great in an area like NJ that has above-average solar costs on a per-watt basis. Plus, the company accepts all main financing options, so most residents will have no issue going solar with this provider.
What We Don’t Like
The main drawback to choosing Trinity Solar is the short workmanship warranty, which lasts for just five years. This is only half the national average, and we’d really love to see more coverage, especially in New Jersey, where the above-average rainfall can quickly expose mistakes made during solar installations.
Trinity has also had some issues with slow response times, particularly after the installation is completed and service is required. This is common with most larger regional companies, but we would love to see the provider’s good customer service extend beyond the installation as well.
Solar Products
Trinity Solar primarily installs panels from QCells, which are tier-one solar panels that have an above-average efficiency rating — up to 21.4%. These are a great option for most New Jerseyans, as they should provide plenty of power to ensure you offset the high local energy prices.
Plus, they’re more affordable than many competing brands, so they can help keep those high installation costs down.
Trinity can also install other panel brands, so if there’s a particular brand you’re looking for, you can ask your sales rep if it’s a possibility. Much like Momentum Solar, Trinity only works with tier-one panels, which we love to see.
Below is a brief list of other products you can get installed by Trinity Solar:
Financing Options
Trinity Solar remains accessible to most solar customers because it accepts cash purchases, solar loans, leases and PPAs. You’ll have a variety of options, so you can opt for maximum savings and system ownership or the lowest upfront payment based on your needs and your budget.
Again, we suggest cash or a loan, as these will benefit you the most in the long run.
Warranty Information
Trinity Solar includes a 25-year warranty that covers manufacturer defects and guarantees a minimum level of power production from your panels. The manufacturer warranty is average, and the production guarantee is a little longer than average.
Unfortunately, Trinity’s workmanship warranty only lasts for five years, which is half what most other companies offer. Since New Jersey sees above-average amounts of rainfall that can put roof penetrations at risk of leaking, this is a pretty significant downside to working with Trinity.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
New Jersey Solar Power’s salespeople and technicians specialize in New Jersey solar, which means you get a system that is customized for your exact area and energy needs, and the reps can help you take advantage of local incentives.
The provider only accepts cash and loans, so it’s not as accessible as many other providers.
Why We Chose New Jersey Solar Power as the Best Local Installer
New Jersey Solar Power is a small company that has handled just a few thousand installations, all of which have been in New Jersey. Its system designers and installation technicians are all well-equipped to provide systems that meet the needs of New Jerseyans, in particular. Plus, they are knowledgeable about local solar incentives and are willing to help customers take advantage of them, ultimately helping people save money.
As a small company, its employees are very hands-on, offer fast responses and provide overall outstanding customer service. The company has a 4.7-star rating on Google Reviews, which is uncommon in the solar industry, as well as an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. It’s clear that the company prioritizes customer experience.
NJ Solar Power also offers a robust 25-year workmanship warranty, which helps keep your home protected from the above-average rainfall in the area that could otherwise lead to costly problems.
What We Don’t Like
One downside of working with NJ Solar Power is that it doesn’t accept leases or PPAs. We don’t recommend these payment options anyway, but with the average solar panel system installation cost in the area totaling over $19,000 before tax incentives, that means the company won’t be accessible to many residents.
Additionally, the company only offers a few panel brands, including QCells and Panasonic, and its service offerings are limited to panels and batteries. We’d love to see some additional products and services, especially EV chargers since electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular in the state.
Solar Products
New Jersey Solar Power currently offers products from Panasonic and QCells.
Panasonic panels have a higher efficiency rating, reaching up to 22.2% as opposed to the 21.4% you can get from QCells panels.
We suggest a higher efficiency panel in New Jersey, as higher power production rates mean you’re more likely to offset the high electricity rates in the area. QCells panels will be cheaper, though.
NJ Solar Power also offers Panasonic solar batteries. The EverVolt batteries are modular and can be installed with a maximum capacity of over 100 kWh, so this is a great option if you’re looking to be able to maintain power during a lengthy outage or if you need power for medical equipment.
Financing Options
As mentioned above, NJ Solar Power only accepts cash and solar loans. Any customers looking for leases or PPAs will need to turn elsewhere.
With that being said, the company does offer $0-down solar financing, so it’s more accessible than companies that require a down payment. Still, though, if you don’t have at least decent credit or just don’t want a loan, this might not be the best installer for you.
Warranty Information
New Jersey Solar Power’s warranty coverage is outstanding, as it includes 25 years of coverage for the equipment, the panel performance and the workmanship. The workmanship warranty is more than double the industry average, and the performance warranty is five years longer than most competitors offer.
The panels from NJ Solar Power are expected to last for between 25 and 30 years.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, System Monitoring |
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Impact Solar’s prices are a few thousand dollars lower than you’ll find from most other providers, on average, but you still get good-quality equipment.
The company only installs panels and batteries, so if you’re looking for other services or products, it’s not the ideal option.
Why We Chose Impact Solar, LLC as the Most Budget Friendly
Impact Solar does a few things to keep costs down. First, it has below-average pricing to begin with, so you’ll very likely save hundreds or thousands of dollars just by choosing this company over a competitor.
Second, this is a local company with hands-on staff members. They have decades of combined experience and knowledge about local incentive programs, so they can help you save there as well.
Third, Impact Solar has a great referral program that can net you $500 for every customer you refer to the company. Finally, the technicians are NABCEP-certified (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) and include a 25-year workmanship warranty, so you’re unlikely to run into costly maintenance or repairs.
Additionally, Impact Solar provides the outstanding customer service you’d expect from a small company like this. It’s one of the very few companies in the industry that has a 5-star rating on Google Reviews.
What We Don’t Like
Impact Solar only installs panels and batteries, so the service offerings are limited. We rank companies higher if they also install EV chargers and handle energy efficiency upgrades, as they appeal to more customers and can help further improve energy savings.
The company also doesn’t accept leases or power purchase agreements, which are the most affordable options upfront and usually lead to instant savings. These payment options won’t save you as much over time as a cash purchase or a loan, but they do help keep solar accessible.
Solar Products
Impact Solar carries panels from a handful of manufacturers, including SolarEdge, Hyundai, QCells, Panasonic, and Jinko Solar. This array of panel options is great for providing customers with options to prioritize efficiency or upfront installation costs.
If you’re looking to maximize efficiency and savings over time, we’d recommend going with Panasonic panels from Impact. If you’re instead looking to keep costs as low as possible, go for Jinko Solar, as their solar panels are likely going to be the most affordable, and QCells are a great balance of power output and price per watt.
Impact Solar also offers the following products as add-ons:
Financing Options
Impact Solar, LLC only accepts cash purchases and loans, so it’s not going to be as accessible as many other installers. Without the option for leases and PPAs, you either need to pay for your system entirely at once — which is out of the question for many residents — or have good enough credit to get a pretty sizable loan.
Of these two options, we’d recommend a cash purchase if you can make it work. This leads to the fastest panel payback period and the highest long-term savings on your energy bills.
Warranty Information
Impact Solar offers a standard 25-year warranty for the equipment, which is great to have. It also includes a 25-year warranty for the labor to install your panels, which is more than double what most companies provide. The workmanship warranty should help keep you protected from potential damage from New Jersey’s above-average rainfall.
Unfortunately, the company falls short in its production warranty, which lasts for ten years, just half of the industry average. We do feel that panel efficiency is extra important in areas like NJ, where energy costs are high, so this is a pretty significant downside, in our opinion.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4 |
A+ |
$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
Watch Below: Learn What New Jersey’s TREC Program Is And How They Differ From SREC
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 lower the costs of your solar conversion in New Jersey:
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.
Our goal at EcoWatch is to provide you with the best and most up-to-date information possible to help you choose the solar installer that is going to fit into your budget, provide great customer service and install a high-performing system that lasts.
Below, we’ll explain the metrics we use to rank the best solar companies in New Jersey so that you can see why these providers are likely to appeal to exceed your expectations.
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
Having trouble deciding? Click below and use our process to receive multiple quotes instead: