Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bridgewater, NJ (2024 Update)
- Bridgewater Solar Installation Cost: $11,701
- 25-Year Savings: $7,954
- Payback Period: 17.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bridgewater
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Bridgewater.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Bridgewater typically cost around 4.The average Bridgewater homeowner needs a 4.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,701 with the federal tax credit, or $16,732 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Bridgewater homeowner can save around $14,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bridgewater
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,551 |
| 3 years | $-8,251 |
| 5 years | $-5,951 |
| 7 years | $-3,651 |
| 9 years | $-1,351 |
| 11 years | $949 |
| 13 years | $3,249 |
| 15 years | $5,549 |
| 17 years | $7,849 |
| 19 years | $10,149 |
| 21 years | $12,449 |
| 23 years | $14,749 |
| 25 years | $17,049 |
Top Solar Installers in Bridgewater
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to hire a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar companies provide can be invaluable as well, especially if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a licensed solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. 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 Bridgewater
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bridgewater
For many Bridgewater homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Bridgewater, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
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 uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,530 per kilowatt in Bridgewater.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Bridgewater to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest.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 how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can impact how much it costs. Bridgewater’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fits within your budget.
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 | $6,293 | 17.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $8,786 | 17.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $11,477 | 17.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $14,365 | 16.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $17,451 | 16.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $20,735 | 16.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $24,217 | 15.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $27,896 | 15.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the longevity of your solar energy system, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, make sure you look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re unsure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you’d like to install plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
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 Bridgewater, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bridgewater?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many 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 be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Bridgewater?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future power bills.
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.