Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clifton, NJ (Feb 2023)
- Clifton Solar Installation Cost: $9,249
- 25-Year Savings: $8,601
- Payback Period: 13.0 Years
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Clifton
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Clifton.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Clifton, the average cost of a solar system is $3 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Clifton is around 4.8 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $9,249 for a solar installation, or $6,844 after the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Clifton homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Clifton can save about $14,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in Clifton for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Clifton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,535 |
| 3 years | $-7,107 |
| 5 years | $-5,679 |
| 7 years | $-4,251 |
| 9 years | $-2,823 |
| 11 years | $-1,395 |
| 13 years | $33 |
| 15 years | $1,461 |
| 17 years | $2,889 |
| 19 years | $4,317 |
| 21 years | $5,745 |
| 23 years | $7,173 |
| 25 years | $8,601 |
Top Solar Installers in Clifton
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installer since trying to install solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. The expertise that solar installers provide can be helpful as well, particularly if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment you need.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. 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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Clifton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clifton
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Clifton: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Clifton, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $2,770 for each additional kilowatt you need. 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. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Clifton average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Clifton have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar. It's a good idea to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Clifton, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — 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 decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also is 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 | $2.88 | $12,099 | $10,332 | 13.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $14,087 | 13.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $17,996 | 13.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $22,061 | 12.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $26,280 | 12.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $30,655 | 12.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $35,185 | 11.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $39,870 | 11.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Clifton, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Clifton?
This is a hard 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 extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Clifton?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located 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 $747.72 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Clifton?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of 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 continue to use 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.