Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clifton, NJ (2024 Update)
- Clifton Solar Installation Cost: $11,798
- 25-Year Savings: $8,592
- Payback Period: 16.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Clifton
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Clifton.
In Clifton, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Because a 4.8-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Clifton, the average price of going solar will be about $11,798 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The true cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.With average savings of about $14,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Clifton find installing solar panels can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in Clifton for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Clifton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,376 |
| 3 years | $-7,531 |
| 5 years | $-4,686 |
| 7 years | $-1,841 |
| 9 years | $1,003 |
| 11 years | $3,848 |
| 13 years | $6,693 |
| 15 years | $9,537 |
| 17 years | $12,382 |
| 19 years | $15,227 |
| 21 years | $18,072 |
| 23 years | $20,916 |
| 25 years | $23,761 |
Top Solar Installers in Clifton
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since installing solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Clifton, therefore optimizing your ROI.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Clifton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clifton
For many Clifton homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Clifton, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of 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 about $3,530 per kilowatt in Clifton.The 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. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Clifton average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Clifton to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost 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 the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Clifton is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Some companies 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 find a company that has the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $7,013 | 17.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $9,745 | 16.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $12,676 | 16.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $15,804 | 16.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $19,130 | 15.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $22,654 | 15.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $26,375 | 15.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $30,294 | 14.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a quality company.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Clifton, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Clifton?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. 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 Clifton?
A solar panel system isn’t free in Clifton, 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 you can take advantage of.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your home value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt 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 solar panels."
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out 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 house 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.