Are solar panels worth it in NJ? Every homeowner and business owner considering solar panel installation should ask this question, as solar power systems can be a costly investment! It’s also good to know what to expect by way of cost savings with your panels, so you’re not disappointed in your return on that investment.
If you’re thinking of investing in solar and are wondering, are solar panels worth it in New Jersey, note some added details that can help you decide if solar is the right choice for your property. You can then discuss your options with a solar installer near you and know that you’ll be making the best financial decision for your home or business.
There is no “cookie-cutter” answer of whether or not solar panels are worth it in New Jersey, as it depends on your power needs, your budget for a new solar system, and your property’s roof size and sun exposure. Consider those factors in more detail and then some pros and cons of residential or commercial solar power systems.
First note that electricity is measured in terms of kilowatt-hours, or kWh. The average household might use about 10,649 kWh per year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=97&t=3). One solar panel might produce about 550 kWh per year, so your home would probably need around 19 or 20 panels to produce all the electricity needed by your family on an annual basis.
Most homeowners find that their home’s roof cannot accommodate 19 or 20 panels, simply due to its overall size as well as obstructions such as dormers, a skylight, vents, and the like. To find out how many panels would fit on your home or commercial structure, talk to a solar panel installer near you. He or she can inspect a roof and note its overall size and layout, and then estimate the number of panels it can accommodate easily.
Along with size, note the roof’s sun exposure. Overhanging tree branches, billboards, oversized buildings, and other obstructions all filter sunlight, reducing the amount of sun that reaches those panels. The more sun exposure on your structure’s roof, the more solar power you’ll enjoy from your panels!
Solar panels vary in price according to their overall efficiency and longevity. The more efficient the panel, meaning the more sunlight it will convert to usable energy, and the longer its lifespan, the higher its price. Consider how much you can invest in solar panels and the best options within your price range, and check how many kWh they might offer. Note, too, their expected lifespan.
Once you’ve considered all these factors for your property and budget, you’ll know about how much solar power you might enjoy over an average year, and can check your electric bills to compare how much energy you typically need. That information can help you decide, are solar panels worth it in NJ?
Consider some pros of investing in New Jersey solar power for your home or business:
A property owner might also note that solar panels don’t necessarily fail to work after so many years; instead, they simply become less efficient as time goes on. Most panels lose about 0.5% to 1% efficiency every year; after 25 years, a panel might then be operating at 75% to 87.5% efficiency.
While many property owners decide that it’s time to invest in new panels after they lose that much efficiency, note that you can still keep those panels and enjoy the use of some free solar power even after 25, 30, or 35 years, or even more. In turn, you might find that high-quality solar panels last for as long as you own your home!
While New Jersey solar panels are an excellent investment for virtually any property owner, there are some downsides to consider before you choose your new solar panels. One important consideration is the amount of energy your panels might produce; if your structure’s roof cannot accommodate many panels or doesn’t get much sun exposure, and if you can’t afford to invest in high-quality panels, you might not enjoy enough solar power to offset the cost of those panels.
You might also consider if you’re thinking of putting your home or commercial property on the market anytime soon and if you would want to take those panels with you. If so, you would need to pay to have them removed and reinstalled on your new property. While this work usually only runs a few hundred dollars, it’s still a consideration to keep in mind when contemplating a solar panel investment.
It’s also vital for homeowners and commercial property owners to realize that solar panels rarely provide all the power needed to run their homes or businesses. In turn, you will typically still get a bill from the local power company every month. If you’re thinking that solar panels mean you’ll get all the electricity you need for free for the rest of your life, you might be in for a surprise when that next electric bill arrives in the mail.
Go Solar New Jersey is happy to provide this information to our readers and we hope it helped answer the question, are solar panels worth it in NJ? If you’re considering solar power in New Jersey, whether for your home or business, give us a call! Our New Jersey solar installation contractors are happy to answer all your questions and help you choose the best solar power system for your property. To find out more, give us a call today!
