Solar Panel Cost Guide in Alexandria, NJ (2024 Update)
- Alexandria Solar Installation Cost: $11,751
- 25-Year Savings: $6,963
- Payback Period: 18.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Alexandria
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Alexandria.
The average cost of solar panels in Alexandria is 4 per watt.Because a 4.8-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Alexandria, the average price of going solar will be about $11,751 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you may differ based on your energy needs and what company you go with.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $13,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Alexandria
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,692 |
| 3 years | $-8,574 |
| 5 years | $-6,455 |
| 7 years | $-4,337 |
| 9 years | $-2,218 |
| 11 years | $-100 |
| 13 years | $2,018 |
| 15 years | $4,137 |
| 17 years | $6,255 |
| 19 years | $8,374 |
| 21 years | $10,492 |
| 23 years | $12,610 |
| 25 years | $14,729 |
Top Solar Installers in Alexandria
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra labor and knowledge. Because of that, the majority of homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Another good thing about going with a vetted solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar system over time.
Working with a licensed solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Alexandria
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Alexandria
There are several criteria that can influence your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,530 per kilowatt in Alexandria.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Alexandria average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Alexandria homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Alexandria, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Alexandria have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.67 | $15,419 | $4,999 | 18.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $7,061 | 18.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $9,320 | 18.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $11,777 | 17.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $14,432 | 17.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $17,285 | 17.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $20,335 | 16.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $23,583 | 16.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Alexandria, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Alexandria?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,650 for a 5-kW system and $35,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Alexandria?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Alexandria. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is it worth going solar in Alexandria?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.