Solar Panel Cost Guide in South River, NJ (2024 Update)
- South River Solar Installation Cost: $11,564
- 25-Year Savings: $7,943
- Payback Period: 17.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South River
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in South River.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in South River it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 4.7-kW system would cost about $11,564 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and your own solar costs will look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with.Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in South River can save about $14,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in South River
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,505 |
| 3 years | $-8,387 |
| 5 years | $-6,268 |
| 7 years | $-4,150 |
| 9 years | $-2,031 |
| 11 years | $87 |
| 13 years | $2,205 |
| 15 years | $4,324 |
| 17 years | $6,442 |
| 19 years | $8,561 |
| 21 years | $10,679 |
| 23 years | $12,797 |
| 25 years | $14,916 |
Top Solar Installers in South River
When going solar, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installation company since handling can be a difficult project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance in the long run.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- 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 River
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South River
While the average cost of a solar system in South River is $11,564, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,530 per kilowatt in South River.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the South River average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many South River homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, 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 considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in South River, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car 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 | $6,398 | 17.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $8,926 | 17.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $11,651 | 17.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $14,575 | 16.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $17,696 | 16.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $21,014 | 16.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $24,530 | 15.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $28,245 | 15.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the company you choose significantly influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you go with.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's South River, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in South River?
The average cost of solar panels in South River is about $17,650 for a 5-kW system and $35,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in South River?
You can’t get solar panels for free in South River. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase your home 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 South River is currently $448,206, so you can expect a value of about $18,376 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in South River is a worthwhile investment.
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 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.