Solar Panel Cost Guide in Southampton, NJ (2023 Update)
- Southampton Solar Installation Cost: $8,939
- 25-Year Savings: $9,993
- Payback Period: 11.8 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Southampton
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Southampton.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Southampton it's 2.77 per watt. The average Southampton homeowner needs a 4.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $8,939 with the federal tax credit, or $12,783 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The exact cost of going solar can vary depending on multiple factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with. With average savings of about $16,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Southampton find going solar can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in Southampton for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Southampton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,182 |
| 3 years | $-6,667 |
| 5 years | $-5,152 |
| 7 years | $-3,638 |
| 9 years | $-2,123 |
| 11 years | $-609 |
| 13 years | $906 |
| 15 years | $2,420 |
| 17 years | $3,935 |
| 19 years | $5,449 |
| 21 years | $6,964 |
| 23 years | $8,478 |
| 25 years | $9,993 |
Top Solar Installers in Southampton
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installation company since installing a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. Another benefit of using a solar installer is that they can help you optimize your investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
Working with a professional solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in Southampton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Southampton
The cost of installing a solar system in Southampton can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in Southampton, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,770 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Southampton, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Southampton to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total 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 more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you select will affect your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. The company's size sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have access to greater resources and better 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 | $2.88 | $12,099 | $12,545 | 12.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $17,036 | 12.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $21,683 | 11.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $26,485 | 11.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $31,442 | 11.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $36,555 | 11.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $41,822 | 10.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $47,245 | 10.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you opt for will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Southampton, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Southampton?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for lots 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 electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Southampton?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had 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.