Solar Panel Cost Guide in Upper, NJ (2024 Update)
- Upper Solar Installation Cost: $10,458
- 25-Year Savings: $14,554
- Payback Period: 11.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Upper
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Upper.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Upper it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Upper, most homeowners require a 4.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $10,458, or $14,955 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Upper homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Even with the large initial cost, the average Upper homeowner can save about $20,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Upper
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,960 |
| 3 years | $-5,964 |
| 5 years | $-2,967 |
| 7 years | $29 |
| 9 years | $3,025 |
| 11 years | $6,022 |
| 13 years | $9,018 |
| 15 years | $12,015 |
| 17 years | $15,011 |
| 19 years | $18,007 |
| 21 years | $21,004 |
| 23 years | $24,000 |
| 25 years | $26,996 |
Top Solar Installers in Upper
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installer since trying to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. Another great thing about choosing a vetted solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar system over time.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Upper, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Upper
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Upper
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Upper is $10,458, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,530 per kilowatt in Upper.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
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 Upper homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Upper is the company you choose to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and find a company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into 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 | $16,847 | 11.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $22,858 | 11.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $29,067 | 11.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $35,474 | 11.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $42,078 | 11.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $48,880 | 10.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $55,879 | 10.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $63,076 | 10.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will influence 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 a few important things you should take into account, including:
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like to install plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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 Upper, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Upper?
The average cost of solar panels in Upper 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 like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,075.54 per year.
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 larger 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.