Solar Panel Cost Guide in Marlboro, NJ (2024 Update)

  • Marlboro Solar Installation Cost: $11,170
  • 25-Year Savings: $7,419
  • Payback Period: 17.3 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 Marlboro

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Marlboro.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Marlboro it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Marlboro, most homeowners require a 4.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,170, or $15,973 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The actual price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Marlboro depending on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Marlboro can save about $14,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.

Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in your area for a custom estimate.

Solar savings over time in Marlboro

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,111
3 years $-7,992
5 years $-5,874
7 years $-3,755
9 years $-1,637
11 years $481
13 years $2,600
15 years $4,718
17 years $6,837
19 years $8,955
21 years $11,073
23 years $13,192
25 years $15,310

Top Solar Installers in Marlboro

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installation company since handling can be a difficult project. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Marlboro:

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 Marlboro

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Marlboro

Though the average cost of a solar system in Marlboro is $11,170, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar energy 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 around $3,530. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Marlboro homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Marlboro, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

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 $6,062 17.9 years
8 kW $3.60 $20,163 $8,478 17.6 years
10 kW $3.53 $24,710 $11,092 17.3 years
12 kW $3.46 $29,059 $13,903 16.9 years
14 kW $3.39 $33,210 $16,912 16.6 years
16 kW $3.32 $37,164 $20,119 16.2 years
18 kW $3.25 $40,920 $23,524 15.9 years
20 kW $3.18 $44,478 $27,126 15.5 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 models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.

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 Marlboro, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Marlboro?

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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?

The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Is it worth going solar in Marlboro?

Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.

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 generally 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.

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