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

  • Fairview Solar Installation Cost: $11,529
  • 25-Year Savings: $8,804
  • Payback Period: 16.1 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 20, 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 Fairview

Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Fairview.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Fairview, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 4.7-kW system would cost about $11,529 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Fairview homeowners see about $15,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

To receive a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Fairview, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Fairview

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-10,106
3 years$-7,262
5 years$-4,417
7 years$-1,572
9 years$1,273
11 years$4,117
13 years$6,962
15 years$9,807
17 years$12,652
19 years$15,496
21 years$18,341
23 years$21,186
25 years$24,031

Top Solar Installers in Fairview

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. Companies can also have access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for your home.

There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:

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

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

See all of the solar companies in Fairview

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fairview

While the average cost of a solar system in Fairview is $11,529, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,530. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Fairview, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar installers in Fairview have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Fairview, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fits within your budget.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.67$15,419$7,53716.8 years
8 kW$3.60$20,163$10,44416.5 years
10 kW$3.53$24,710$13,55016.1 years
12 kW$3.46$29,059$16,85315.8 years
14 kW$3.39$33,210$20,35315.5 years
16 kW$3.32$37,164$24,05115.2 years
18 kW$3.25$40,920$27,94714.9 years
20 kW$3.18$44,478$32,04114.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you choose will affect not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, including:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you opt for.
  • Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.

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

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Fairview, NJ Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Fairview 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 certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Is it worth going solar in Fairview?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.

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.