Solar Panel Cost Guide in Newark, NJ (2023 Update)

  • Newark Solar Installation Cost: $9,171
  • 25-Year Savings: $8,679
  • Payback Period: 12.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Newark

Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Newark.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Newark it's 2.77 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Newark, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $9,171, or $13,115 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar panel system could cost. The exact cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Newark can save about $14,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.

For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Newark

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-8,457
3 years $-7,029
5 years $-5,601
7 years $-4,173
9 years $-2,745
11 years $-1,317
13 years $111
15 years $1,539
17 years $2,967
19 years $4,395
21 years $5,823
23 years $7,251
25 years $8,679

Top Solar Installers in Newark

Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra energy and expertise. That's why most people choose a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers offer can be valuable as well, particularly if you aren't sure what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.

Working with a professional solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:

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 Newark

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Newark

The cost of installing a solar system in Newark can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant 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 energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,770 per kilowatt in Newark. The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Further, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions 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 searching for a solar system that's in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Newark homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Newark is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. 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 cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the 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 $2.88 $12,099 $10,536 13.4 years
8 kW $2.83 $15,822 $14,358 13.1 years
10 kW $2.77 $19,390 $18,335 12.8 years
12 kW $2.71 $22,803 $22,468 12.6 years
14 kW $2.66 $26,060 $26,755 12.3 years
16 kW $2.60 $29,163 $31,198 12.1 years
18 kW $2.55 $32,110 $35,795 11.8 years
20 kW $2.49 $34,902 $40,548 11.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies available in Newark, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of 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 satisfied reviews from past customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you need plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
  • Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.

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 Newark, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Newark?

The average cost of solar panels in Newark is about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Newark?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford 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 financial benefits from going solar.

Is it worth going solar in Newark?

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

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.

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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