Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Orange Village, NJ (2024 Update)

  • South Orange Village Solar Installation Cost: $11,692
  • 25-Year Savings: $7,842
  • Payback Period: 17.2 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 South Orange Village

We go over average solar pricing in South Orange Village.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in South Orange Village it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in South Orange Village is around 4.7 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,692 for a solar installation, or $16,720 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are just estimates, and your own solar costs may vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.Even with the large initial cost, the average South Orange Village homeowner can save around $14,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

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

Solar savings over time in South Orange Village

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,633
3 years $-8,514
5 years $-6,396
7 years $-4,278
9 years $-2,159
11 years $-41
13 years $2,078
15 years $4,196
17 years $6,314
19 years $8,433
21 years $10,551
23 years $12,670
25 years $14,788

Top Solar Installers in South Orange Village

Trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a challenging task, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in South Orange Village:

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 South Orange Village

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Orange Village

For many South Orange Village homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in South Orange Village, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,530.The model of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar installers in South Orange Village provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.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

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in South Orange Village is the company you get to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — 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 go with the company that provides 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 $6,159 17.9 years
8 kW $3.60 $20,163 $8,608 17.5 years
10 kW $3.53 $24,710 $11,254 17.2 years
12 kW $3.46 $29,059 $14,098 16.8 years
14 kW $3.39 $33,210 $17,139 16.5 years
16 kW $3.32 $37,164 $20,378 16.1 years
18 kW $3.25 $40,920 $23,815 15.8 years
20 kW $3.18 $44,478 $27,450 15.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies to choose from in South Orange Village, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good 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 certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
  • Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask questions 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: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.

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 South Orange Village, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in South Orange Village?

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in South Orange Village?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.

Do solar panels increase your home value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in South Orange Village is currently $635,223, so you can expect a value of about $26,044 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in South Orange Village is a worthwhile investment.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level 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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