Solar Panel Cost Guide in Golden Triangle, NJ (2024 Update)

  • Golden Triangle Solar Installation Cost: $11,511
  • 25-Year Savings: $8,818
  • Payback Period: 16.1 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Golden Triangle

We go over average solar pricing in Golden Triangle.

In Golden Triangle, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Golden Triangle, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,511, or $16,461 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.

To get a free quote from a top solar company in Golden Triangle, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Golden Triangle

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,088
3 years $-7,244
5 years $-4,399
7 years $-1,554
9 years $1,291
11 years $4,135
13 years $6,980
15 years $9,825
17 years $12,670
19 years $15,514
21 years $18,359
23 years $21,204
25 years $24,049

Top Solar Installers in Golden Triangle

Installing solar panels on your own can be a dangerous undertaking, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar installers provide can be helpful as well, especially if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment you need.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Golden Triangle:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Golden Triangle

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Golden Triangle

For many Golden Triangle homeowners, the decision to go solar comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Golden Triangle, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,530. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Golden Triangle, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Golden Triangle to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s important to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you hire to handle your switch to sustainable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Golden Triangle, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.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 with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that provides 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 $7,573 16.8 years
8 kW $3.60 $20,163 $10,492 16.4 years
10 kW $3.53 $24,710 $13,609 16.1 years
12 kW $3.46 $29,059 $16,924 15.8 years
14 kW $3.39 $33,210 $20,437 15.5 years
16 kW $3.32 $37,164 $24,147 15.2 years
18 kW $3.25 $40,920 $28,055 14.8 years
20 kW $3.18 $44,478 $32,161 14.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power 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 secure and how long the project will take.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Golden Triangle, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Golden Triangle?

The average cost of solar panels in Golden Triangle 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Are solar panels free in Golden Triangle?

A solar panel system isn’t free in Golden Triangle, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.

How will having solar panels impact the value of my home?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose 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."

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to 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.

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