Solar Panel Cost Guide in Carlstadt, NJ (2024 Update)
- Carlstadt Solar Installation Cost: $11,529
- 25-Year Savings: $8,804
- Payback Period: 16.1 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Carlstadt
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Carlstadt.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Carlstadt, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Carlstadt, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,529, or $16,486 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Carlstadt for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Carlstadt
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-10,106 |
3 years | $-7,262 |
5 years | $-4,417 |
7 years | $-1,572 |
9 years | $1,273 |
11 years | $4,117 |
13 years | $6,962 |
15 years | $9,807 |
17 years | $12,652 |
19 years | $15,496 |
21 years | $18,341 |
23 years | $21,186 |
25 years | $24,031 |
Top Solar Installers in Carlstadt
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to hire a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long term due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Carlstadt
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Carlstadt
While the average cost of a solar system in Carlstadt is $11,529, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
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 about $3,530 per kilowatt in Carlstadt.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 energy bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Carlstadt average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a solid option because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of 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 securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can affect how much you pay. Carlstadt’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $7,537 | 16.8 years |
8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $10,444 | 16.5 years |
10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $13,550 | 16.1 years |
12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $16,853 | 15.8 years |
14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $20,353 | 15.5 years |
16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $24,051 | 15.2 years |
18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $27,947 | 14.9 years |
20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $32,041 | 14.5 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. Since selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to get plays a role in which company you should opt for, 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 Carlstadt, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Carlstadt?
The average cost of solar panels in Carlstadt is about $17,650 for a 5-kW system and $35,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 take a 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 account for 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.