Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gloucester, NJ (2024 Update)
- Gloucester Solar Installation Cost: $11,511
- 25-Year Savings: $11,000
- Payback Period: 14.4 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Gloucester
Here’s how much it might cost to go solar in Gloucester.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Gloucester is 4 per watt.The average Gloucester homeowner needs a 4.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,511 with the federal tax credit, or $16,461 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.Even with the large upfront cost, the average Gloucester homeowner can save around $16,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in your area for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in Gloucester
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,038 |
| 3 years | $-7,092 |
| 5 years | $-4,146 |
| 7 years | $-1,200 |
| 9 years | $1,746 |
| 11 years | $4,691 |
| 13 years | $7,637 |
| 15 years | $10,583 |
| 17 years | $13,529 |
| 19 years | $16,475 |
| 21 years | $19,421 |
| 23 years | $22,366 |
| 25 years | $25,312 |
Top Solar Installers in Gloucester
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Using a solar panel installer can make switching to solar power much easier. Solar installers offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Gloucester:
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 Gloucester
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gloucester
There are many criteria that can influence your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant 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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,530 per kilowatt in Gloucester.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Usually, 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 just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Gloucester, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Gloucester homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar system can impact your pricing. Gloucester’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to greater resources and bulk 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 promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $10,384 | 14.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.60 | $20,163 | $14,240 | 14.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.53 | $24,710 | $18,294 | 14.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.46 | $29,059 | $22,546 | 14.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.39 | $33,210 | $26,996 | 13.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.32 | $37,164 | $31,643 | 13.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.25 | $40,920 | $36,488 | 13.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.18 | $44,478 | $41,531 | 12.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Gloucester, NJ Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Gloucester?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Gloucester?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable 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 Gloucester?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.