Solar Panel Cost Guide in Berkeley, NJ (2023 Update)
- Berkeley Solar Installation Cost: $8,604
- 25-Year Savings: $8,311
- Payback Period: 12.7 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Berkeley
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in Berkeley.
In Berkeley, solar panels cost about 2.77 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Berkeley, most homeowners require a 4.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $8,609, or $12,311 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Berkeley homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Berkeley homeowners see about $14,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a highly rated solar installation company in Berkeley, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Berkeley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-7,482 |
| 3 years | $-5,238 |
| 5 years | $-2,994 |
| 7 years | $-750 |
| 9 years | $1,493 |
| 11 years | $3,737 |
| 13 years | $5,981 |
| 15 years | $8,225 |
| 17 years | $10,469 |
| 19 years | $12,712 |
| 21 years | $14,956 |
| 23 years | $17,200 |
| 25 years | $19,444 |
Top Solar Installers in Berkeley
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar company since DIY solar panel installation can be a challenging project. Plus, if you aren't sure what brand of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in Berkeley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Berkeley
For many Berkeley homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Berkeley, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Berkeley average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Berkeley to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest. While solar loans make going solar more accessible for Berkeley homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panels can impact the cost. Berkeley's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Berkeley know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you 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 | $2.88 | $12,099 | $10,772 | 13.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $14,673 | 13.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $18,729 | 12.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $22,940 | 12.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $27,307 | 12.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $31,828 | 12.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $36,504 | 11.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $41,336 | 11.4 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 brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: If you're concerned about the endurance of your solar panel system, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you choose.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Berkeley, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Berkeley?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 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 higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Berkeley?
A solar panel system isn't free in Berkeley, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having 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.