Solar Panel Cost Guide in Woodcliff Lake, NJ (Mar 2023)
- Woodcliff Lake Solar Installation Cost: $9,055
- 25-Year Savings: $8,950
- Payback Period: 12.6 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Woodcliff Lake
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Woodcliff Lake.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Woodcliff Lake is 2.77 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Woodcliff Lake is around 4.7 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $9,055 for a solar installation, or $12,949 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Woodcliff Lake
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,335 |
| 3 years | $-6,895 |
| 5 years | $-5,454 |
| 7 years | $-4,014 |
| 9 years | $-2,573 |
| 11 years | $-1,133 |
| 13 years | $307 |
| 15 years | $1,748 |
| 17 years | $3,188 |
| 19 years | $4,628 |
| 21 years | $6,069 |
| 23 years | $7,509 |
| 25 years | $8,950 |
Top Solar Installers in Woodcliff Lake
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar companies provide can be useful as well, especially if you aren't sure what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Woodcliff Lake
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Woodcliff Lake
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Woodcliff Lake: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Woodcliff Lake average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Woodcliff Lake to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest. Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Woodcliff Lake homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Woodcliff Lake, you'll have many 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 keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle 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 | $2.88 | $12,099 | $11,055 | 13.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $15,050 | 12.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $19,200 | 12.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $23,506 | 12.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $27,967 | 12.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $32,582 | 11.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $37,353 | 11.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $42,279 | 11.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of options before deciding.
- Warranty: If you care about the longevity of your solar panel system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the total cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Woodcliff Lake, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Woodcliff Lake?
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 extra solar equipment or higher quality 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 efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Woodcliff Lake?
A solar panel system isn't free in Woodcliff Lake, 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.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Woodcliff Lake?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future energy bills.
How long do solar panels last in Woodcliff Lake?
Although 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had 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.