Solar Panel Cost Guide in Berlin, NJ (2024 Update)
- Berlin Solar Installation Cost: $11,511
- 25-Year Savings: $13,728
- Payback Period: 12.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Berlin
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Berlin.
The average cost of solar panels in Berlin is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Berlin, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,511, or $16,461 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The exact cost of going solar can vary based on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.Despite the large initial cost, the average Berlin homeowner can save around $19,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Berlin for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Berlin
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,012 |
| 3 years | $-7,016 |
| 5 years | $-4,020 |
| 7 years | $-1,023 |
| 9 years | $1,973 |
| 11 years | $4,969 |
| 13 years | $7,966 |
| 15 years | $10,962 |
| 17 years | $13,959 |
| 19 years | $16,955 |
| 21 years | $19,951 |
| 23 years | $22,948 |
| 25 years | $25,944 |
Top Solar Installers in Berlin
Installing solar panels on your own can be a time-consuming undertaking, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another good thing about choosing a reliable solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
Working with a licensed solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Berlin
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Berlin
The cost of installing a solar system in Berlin can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar 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 around $3,530 per kilowatt in Berlin.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 get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Berlin average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Berlin to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Berlin homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Berlin is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $13,897 | 13.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $18,925 | 12.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $24,150 | 12.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $29,574 | 12.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $35,194 | 12.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $41,013 | 11.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $47,029 | 11.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $53,243 | 11.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you’d like to get plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
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 Berlin, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Berlin?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally 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 higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, 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 Berlin?
Solar panels aren’t free in Berlin, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.