Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northfield, NJ (2024 Update)

  • Northfield Solar Installation Cost: $11,064
  • 25-Year Savings: $14,078
  • Payback Period: 12.2 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

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Northfield

We go over average solar pricing in Northfield.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Northfield typically cost about 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Northfield, most homeowners require a 4.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,064, or $15,822 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 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 installing solar panels can vary quite a bit based on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with.With average savings of about $19,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Northfield find going solar can be quite rewarding.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Northfield that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Northfield

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-9,566
3 years $-6,570
5 years $-3,574
7 years $-577
9 years $2,419
11 years $5,416
13 years $8,412
15 years $11,408
17 years $14,405
19 years $17,401
21 years $20,397
23 years $23,394
25 years $26,390

Top Solar Installers in Northfield

When going solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Also, companies with a good reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.

Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

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 Northfield

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northfield

While the average cost of a solar system in Northfield is $11,064, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar 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 about $3,530 per kilowatt in Northfield.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will considerably influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Northfield to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Northfield is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 $15,079 12.6 years
8 kW $3.60 $20,163 $20,501 12.4 years
10 kW $3.53 $24,710 $26,121 12.2 years
12 kW $3.46 $29,059 $31,938 11.9 years
14 kW $3.39 $33,210 $37,953 11.7 years
16 kW $3.32 $37,164 $44,165 11.4 years
18 kW $3.25 $40,920 $50,575 11.2 years
20 kW $3.18 $44,478 $57,183 10.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you opt for will influence not only your overall costs, but also the kinds 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, including:

  • Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
  • Installation Process: When going solar, it’s crucial to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel company. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
  • Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.

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 Northfield, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Northfield?

The average cost of solar panels in Northfield 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 things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Can solar panels completely eradicate my electricity bills?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,016.61 per year.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount 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.

Follow us