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

  • West Orange 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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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 West Orange

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in West Orange.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in West Orange it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in West Orange 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.

The true price you pay can be above or below the average in West Orange depending on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average West Orange homeowners see about $14,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in West Orange for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in West Orange

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 West Orange

Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it takes extra labor and handiness. That's why most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can benefit from and by providing warranties and repairs.

If you're looking for a solar installer in West Orange, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:

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 West Orange

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Orange

The cost of installing a solar system in West Orange can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in West Orange to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only 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 securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you hire to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in West Orange, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 $6,159 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 a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • 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, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before deciding.
  • Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.

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 West Orange, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,650 for a 5-kW system and $35,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in West Orange?

Solar panels aren’t free in West Orange, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.

Does West Orange have a net metering program?

The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Though 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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.

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