Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hightstown, NJ (2024 Update)
- Hightstown Solar Installation Cost: $11,653
- 25-Year Savings: $7,873
- Payback Period: 17.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hightstown
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Hightstown.
In Hightstown, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Hightstown, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,653, or $16,664 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $14,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Hightstown find going solar has a decent ROI.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Hightstown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,594 |
| 3 years | $-8,476 |
| 5 years | $-6,357 |
| 7 years | $-4,239 |
| 9 years | $-2,120 |
| 11 years | $-2 |
| 13 years | $2,116 |
| 15 years | $4,235 |
| 17 years | $6,353 |
| 19 years | $8,472 |
| 21 years | $10,590 |
| 23 years | $12,708 |
| 25 years | $14,827 |
Top Solar Installers in Hightstown
Putting up solar panels on your own can be a challenging project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Companies can also offer access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for you.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
See all of the solar companies in Hightstown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hightstown
The cost of installing a solar system in Hightstown can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Hightstown to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s vital to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panel system can impact your pricing. Hightstown’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to 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 cost more. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $3.67 | $15,419 | $6,231 | 17.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $8,704 | 17.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $11,374 | 17.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $14,242 | 16.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $17,307 | 16.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $20,570 | 16.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $24,031 | 15.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $27,690 | 15.4 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 selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to install plays a role in which company you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's Hightstown, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Hightstown?
The average cost of solar panels in Hightstown 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.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually 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.