Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Rutherford, NJ (2024 Update)
- East Rutherford Solar Installation Cost: $11,529
- 25-Year Savings: $8,804
- Payback Period: 16.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Rutherford
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in East Rutherford.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in East Rutherford it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in East Rutherford is around 4.7 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,529 for a solar installation, or $16,486 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will most likely look different based on your energy needs and what company you go with.With average savings of about $15,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in East Rutherford find going solar has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in East Rutherford that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in East Rutherford
| 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 East Rutherford
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it takes extra energy and handiness. That's why most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can take advantage of and by providing warranties and repairs.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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 East Rutherford
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Rutherford
While the average cost of a solar system in East Rutherford is $11,529, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,530 per kilowatt in East Rutherford.The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof 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. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable route because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only 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 getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in East Rutherford is the company you get to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.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 cost more. 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 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 | $7,537 | 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
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you go with.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
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 East Rutherford, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in East Rutherford?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in East Rutherford?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable 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 property 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.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in East Rutherford?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.