Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bernardsville, NJ (2025 Update)

  • Bernardsville Solar Installation Cost: $11,701
  • 25-Year Savings: $7,002
  • Payback Period: 18.1 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bernardsville

We go over average solar pricing in Bernardsville.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Bernardsville it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Bernardsville, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,701, or $16,732 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Bernardsville see about $13,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in Bernardsville for a personalized quote.

Solar savings over time in Bernardsville

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-10,642
3 years$-8,524
5 years$-6,405
7 years$-4,287
9 years$-2,168
11 years$-50
13 years$2,068
15 years$4,187
17 years$6,305
19 years$8,424
21 years$10,542
23 years$12,660
25 years$14,779

Top Solar Installers in Bernardsville

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Bernardsville, therefore optimizing your ROI.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:

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Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • 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 Bernardsville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bernardsville

Though the average cost of a solar system in Bernardsville is $11,701, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Bernardsville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a popular route because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installation company you pick will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.67$15,419$5,08618.8 years
8 kW$3.60$20,163$7,17718.4 years
10 kW$3.53$24,710$9,46618.1 years
12 kW$3.46$29,059$11,95217.7 years
14 kW$3.39$33,210$14,63617.4 years
16 kW$3.32$37,164$17,51717.0 years
18 kW$3.25$40,920$20,59716.6 years
20 kW$3.18$44,478$23,87316.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies available in Bernardsville, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
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Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Bernardsville, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Bernardsville?

The average cost of solar panels in Bernardsville is about $17,650 for a 5-kW system and $35,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Are solar panels free in Bernardsville?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Bernardsville. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $683.51 per year.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.

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.