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

  • Riverside Solar Installation Cost: $11,389
  • 25-Year Savings: $8,913
  • Payback Period: 16.0 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

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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 Riverside

See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Riverside.

In Riverside, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Riverside is around 4.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,389 for a solar installation, or $16,286 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Riverside can save around $15,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.

To get a free quote from a top solar installer in Riverside, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Riverside

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-9,967
3 years $-7,122
5 years $-4,278
7 years $-1,433
9 years $1,412
11 years $4,257
13 years $7,101
15 years $9,946
17 years $12,791
19 years $15,636
21 years $18,480
23 years $21,325
25 years $24,170

Top Solar Installers in Riverside

Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since installing solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Plus, if you’re unsure what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:

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 Riverside

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Riverside

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Riverside: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Riverside, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine 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 panels and equipment you want is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about 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’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Riverside to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Riverside, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering 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 $3.67 $15,419 $7,817 16.6 years
8 kW $3.60 $20,163 $10,819 16.3 years
10 kW $3.53 $24,710 $14,017 16.0 years
12 kW $3.46 $29,059 $17,414 15.6 years
14 kW $3.39 $33,210 $21,008 15.3 years
16 kW $3.32 $37,164 $24,800 15.0 years
18 kW $3.25 $40,920 $28,790 14.7 years
20 kW $3.18 $44,478 $32,977 14.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the model of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. 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 peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a quality company.

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 Riverside, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Riverside?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,650 for a 5-kW system and $35,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?

Cost is without a doubt one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Riverside?

Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future electricity bills.

How long do solar panels last in Riverside?

On average, solar panels can last 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.

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