Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rochelle Park, NJ (2023 Update)

  • Rochelle Park Solar Installation Cost: $9,047
  • 25-Year Savings: $8,804
  • Payback Period: 12.7 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 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 Rochelle Park

Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Rochelle Park.

In Rochelle Park, solar panels cost about 2.77 per watt on average. The average Rochelle Park homeowner needs a 4.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $9,055 with the federal tax credit, or $12,949 before the 30% tax credit is applied.

The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Rochelle Park depending on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.

To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Rochelle Park

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-8,987
3 years $-8,868
5 years $-8,749
7 years $-8,630
9 years $-8,511
11 years $-8,392
13 years $-8,273
15 years $-8,154
17 years $-8,035
19 years $-7,916
21 years $-7,797
23 years $-7,678
25 years $-7,559

Top Solar Installers in Rochelle Park

Many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. A solar company can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and component replacements.

If you'd like to make the switch to solar but still aren't certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:

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 Rochelle Park

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rochelle Park

The cost of installing a solar system in Rochelle Park 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 important 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 electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,770 per kilowatt in Rochelle Park. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Generally speaking, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you're looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid choice because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Rochelle Park, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in Rochelle Park are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.

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 $10,856 13.2 years
8 kW $2.83 $15,822 $14,785 12.9 years
10 kW $2.77 $19,390 $18,870 12.7 years
12 kW $2.71 $22,803 $23,109 12.4 years
14 kW $2.66 $26,060 $27,503 12.2 years
16 kW $2.60 $29,163 $32,053 11.9 years
18 kW $2.55 $32,110 $36,757 11.7 years
20 kW $2.49 $34,902 $41,617 11.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you opt for will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, such as:

  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar 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.
  • Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies provide different panels.
  • Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.

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 Rochelle Park, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Rochelle Park?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

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

Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Rochelle Park?

Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future electricity bills.

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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.

Follow us