Solar Panel Cost Guide in Woodcliff Lake, NJ (2024 Update)
- Woodcliff Lake Solar Installation Cost: $11,529
- 25-Year Savings: $8,958
- Payback Period: 16.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Woodcliff Lake
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Woodcliff Lake.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Woodcliff Lake is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Woodcliff Lake, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,529, or $16,486 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Woodcliff Lake homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Woodcliff Lake homeowner can save about $15,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Woodcliff Lake
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,106 |
| 3 years | $-7,262 |
| 5 years | $-4,417 |
| 7 years | $-1,572 |
| 9 years | $1,273 |
| 11 years | $4,117 |
| 13 years | $6,962 |
| 15 years | $9,807 |
| 17 years | $12,652 |
| 19 years | $15,496 |
| 21 years | $18,341 |
| 23 years | $21,186 |
| 25 years | $24,031 |
Top Solar Installers in Woodcliff Lake
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra time and know-how. Because of that, most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, if you aren’t sure what type of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. 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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
See all of the solar companies in Woodcliff Lake
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Woodcliff Lake
For many Woodcliff Lake homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Woodcliff Lake, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Woodcliff Lake, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,530 for each additional kilowatt you need.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, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Woodcliff Lake average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Woodcliff Lake, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.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 can only 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 securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Woodcliff Lake is the company you get to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you’ll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points.Larger national companies generally 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 extra 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 | $3.67 | $15,419 | $7,735 | 16.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $10,709 | 16.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $13,880 | 16.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $17,250 | 15.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $20,816 | 15.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $24,581 | 15.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $28,543 | 14.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $32,703 | 14.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar energy system, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer various brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's Woodcliff Lake, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Woodcliff Lake?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Woodcliff Lake?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Woodcliff Lake?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Woodcliff Lake?
Even 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 the amount of 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 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.