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

  • Secaucus Solar Installation Cost: $11,370
  • 25-Year Savings: $24,189
  • Payback Period: 15.9 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 Secaucus

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Secaucus.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Secaucus it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 4.6-kW system would cost about $11,370 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Secaucus homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $15,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Secaucus find going solar has a decent ROI.

To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Secaucus

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-9,948
3 years $-7,103
5 years $-4,258
7 years $-1,414
9 years $1,431
11 years $4,276
13 years $7,120
15 years $9,965
17 years $12,810
19 years $15,655
21 years $18,499
23 years $21,344
25 years $24,189

Top Solar Installers in Secaucus

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to use a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. Plus, if you aren’t sure what brand 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 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 Secaucus

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Secaucus

Although the average cost of a solar system in Secaucus is $11,370, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price 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 more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Secaucus, which can lower, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Secaucus is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.Additionally, some companies in Secaucus know more about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.

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 $7,856 16.6 years
8 kW $3.60 $20,163 $10,871 16.2 years
10 kW $3.53 $24,710 $14,082 15.9 years
12 kW $3.46 $29,059 $17,492 15.6 years
14 kW $3.39 $33,210 $21,099 15.3 years
16 kW $3.32 $37,164 $24,904 15.0 years
18 kW $3.25 $40,920 $28,906 14.7 years
20 kW $3.18 $44,478 $33,107 14.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
  • Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
  • 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.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.

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 Secaucus, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a tough 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. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Secaucus?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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 financial benefits from going solar.

Do solar panels increase your home value?

Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Secaucus is currently $596,706, so you can expect a value of about $24,465 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Secaucus is a rewarding 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 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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