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

  • Rahway Solar Installation Cost: $11,528
  • 25-Year Savings: $8,804
  • 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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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rahway

We go over average solar pricing in Rahway.

In Rahway, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Rahway, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,528, or $16,485 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The true cost of going solar can vary quite a bit based on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.Despite the significant initial cost, the average Rahway homeowner can save around $15,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in your area for a personalized estimate.

Solar savings over time in Rahway

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,106
3 years $-7,261
5 years $-4,417
7 years $-1,572
9 years $1,273
11 years $4,118
13 years $6,962
15 years $9,807
17 years $12,652
19 years $15,497
21 years $18,341
23 years $21,186
25 years $24,031

Top Solar Installers in Rahway

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. The payback period on an investment in solar panels will vary depending on factors like your location and energy needs, but working with a solar installer can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you apply for incentives available in your area.

Working with a licensed solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. 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 Rahway

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rahway

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

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important 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 get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Rahway to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest.Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Rahway homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panel system can play a role in determining how much it costs. Rahway’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.

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 $10,445 16.5 years
10 kW $3.53 $24,710 $13,550 16.1 years
12 kW $3.46 $29,059 $16,854 15.8 years
14 kW $3.39 $33,210 $20,354 15.5 years
16 kW $3.32 $37,164 $24,053 15.2 years
18 kW $3.25 $40,920 $27,949 14.9 years
20 kW $3.18 $44,478 $32,043 14.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are numerous companies available in Rahway, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like to install plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
  • Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it’s crucial to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.

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 Rahway, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Rahway?

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

Do solar panels increase your property value?

Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Rahway is currently $450,972, which means you can expect a value of about $18,490 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Rahway is a fruitful investment.

How long do solar panels last in Rahway?

On average, solar panels can last 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 higher 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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