Solar Panel Cost Guide in Trenton, NY (2024 Update)
- Trenton Solar Installation Cost: $11,803
- 25-Year Savings: $6,667
- Payback Period: 18.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Trenton
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Trenton.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Trenton it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Trenton, most homeowners require a 4.6-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,803, or $16,878 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 actual cost of going solar can vary depending on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $13,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Trenton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,895 |
| 3 years | $-9,078 |
| 5 years | $-7,261 |
| 7 years | $-5,443 |
| 9 years | $-3,626 |
| 11 years | $-1,809 |
| 13 years | $8 |
| 15 years | $1,825 |
| 17 years | $3,642 |
| 19 years | $5,459 |
| 21 years | $7,277 |
| 23 years | $9,094 |
| 25 years | $10,911 |
Top Solar Installers in Trenton
When going solar, many homeowners decide to hire a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance in the long run.
Working with a professional solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- 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 Trenton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Trenton
For many Trenton homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Trenton, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Trenton, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,650 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Trenton, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, 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
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Trenton, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Trenton homeowners, they can also add to 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
The remaining significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Trenton, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Trenton have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save 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 | $3.80 | $15,943 | $5,106 | 18.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $7,217 | 18.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $9,532 | 18.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $12,051 | 17.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $14,775 | 17.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $17,704 | 17.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $20,836 | 16.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $24,174 | 16.4 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. Since picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it’s crucial to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel company. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Trenton, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Trenton?
The average cost of solar panels in Trenton is about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the type 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?
Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will having solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
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 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.