Solar Panel Cost Guide in Country Lake Estates, NJ (2024 Update)
- Country Lake Estates Solar Installation Cost: $11,389
- 25-Year Savings: $10,535
- Payback Period: 14.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Country Lake Estates
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Country Lake Estates.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Country Lake Estates is 4 per watt.The average Country Lake Estates homeowner needs a 4.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,389 with the federal tax credit, or $16,286 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The true cost of going solar can vary based on multiple factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Country Lake Estates homeowner can save about $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Country Lake Estates
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,891 |
| 3 years | $-6,895 |
| 5 years | $-3,898 |
| 7 years | $-902 |
| 9 years | $2,094 |
| 11 years | $5,091 |
| 13 years | $8,087 |
| 15 years | $11,083 |
| 17 years | $14,080 |
| 19 years | $17,076 |
| 21 years | $20,073 |
| 23 years | $23,069 |
| 25 years | $26,065 |
Top Solar Installers in Country Lake Estates
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to use a solar company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar companies provide can be useful as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Country Lake Estates
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Country Lake Estates
For many Country Lake Estates homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Country Lake Estates, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,530 per kilowatt in Country Lake Estates.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in Country Lake Estates, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.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 more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can play a part in determining your pricing. Country Lake Estates’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of 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 lower 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 | $3.67 | $15,419 | $9,929 | 15.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $13,634 | 14.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $17,536 | 14.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $21,636 | 14.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $25,934 | 14.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $30,430 | 13.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $35,123 | 13.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $40,014 | 13.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Country Lake Estates, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you opt for.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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 Country Lake Estates, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Country Lake Estates?
The average cost of solar panels in Country Lake Estates 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 stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Country Lake Estates?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
How will installing solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Country Lake Estates is currently $341,067, which means you could be looking at a value of about $13,984 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Country Lake Estates is a worthwhile investment.
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 higher level 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.