Last reviewed: October 29, 2026. Prices, rates and rules change. Every figure below links to its source.
This guide explains solar panel cost New Jersey homeowners may see, using the state average installed price of $2.59 per watt (EnergySage New Jersey cost data (average, before incentives), October 2026) before incentives. At that price a 7 kW system costs about $18,130. Homeowners who buy a system in 2026 get no federal tax credit, so that price is close to what you actually pay.
Solar panel cost New Jersey: compare typical system sizes
Installers price systems by the watt, so the size you need drives the total. At the average price above:
| System size | Estimated installed cost |
|---|---|
| 5 kW | about $12,950 |
| 7 kW | about $18,130 |
| 9 kW | about $23,310 |
| 11 kW | about $28,490 |
EnergySage reports a range of $27,334 to $36,982 for a 12.39 kW system in New Jersey, which is about $2.21 to $2.98 per watt. Real quotes vary with your roof, equipment, permitting and the company. Compare quotes in dollars per watt (total price ÷ system watts) so different system sizes line up.
No federal tax credit for buyers in 2026
The 30% federal credit for homeowners (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025 (Solar.com). If you buy with cash or a loan, do not subtract 30% from any quote. Companies that own a system on your roof (a lease) can still claim a business credit; see our lease vs. buy guide.
New Jersey’s electricity rate
The average New Jersey residential rate was 24.61¢ per kWh (U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly (residential average price), updated automatically, August 2026). Each kWh your panels make saves you that much only when it replaces power you would have bought, so payback depends heavily on your own bill. Use the rate printed on your bill in the calculator if you can.
Net metering in New Jersey
New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program says net metering lets customers receive full retail credit on their utility bill for each kWh of electricity their system produces over the course of a year. The state Board of Public Utilities requires customers with their own generation to have an interconnection agreement with their electric utility. Rules can change, so ask your utility how credits are applied to your bill before you sign a solar contract.
Taxes, HOAs and local rules
We have not verified New Jersey sales tax, property tax, HOA or statewide rebate rules for solar as of the review date above, so this guide does not state them. Ask your installer, your municipality and your utility what applies to your home, and get the answers in writing.
Storms, roofs and insurance
- Ask each installer what wind and snow-load ratings the panels and racking are installed to, and confirm the job will be permitted and inspected.
- If your roof is near the end of its life, price a re-roof first. Removing and reinstalling panels later adds cost.
- Call your homeowners insurer before you sign to ask how solar affects your coverage and premium.
Questions to ask every installer
- What is the price per watt, and what exactly is included (permits, monitoring, roof work, electrical upgrades)?
- Which panels and inverters, and what are the product and workmanship warranties?
- How did you estimate my production, and how did you account for shade?
- Which utility rules and incentives does your savings estimate assume, and how will my utility credit exported power?
- Which New Jersey and local licenses and permits apply, and who does the installation: your crew or a subcontractor?
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Sources
- EnergySage: cost of solar panels in New Jersey
- U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A
- New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program: Net Metering and Interconnection
- Solar.com: end of the residential solar tax credit
New Jersey solar cost questions
How much do solar panels cost in New Jersey?
The average installed price of home solar in New Jersey is $2.59 per watt (EnergySage New Jersey cost data (average, before incentives), October 2026), before any incentives. Real quotes vary with your roof, equipment, permitting and the installer. The system-size table above shows typical totals.
Is solar worth it in New Jersey?
It depends on your own bill and rate. New Jersey’s average residential rate was 24.61¢ per kWh (U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly (residential average price), updated automatically, August 2026). Enter the rate printed on your own bill in our calculator to see a closer estimate for your home.
Does New Jersey have net metering?
Yes. New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program says net metering lets customers receive full retail credit on their utility bill for each kWh their system produces over the course of a year. Ask your utility how credits are applied to your bill.
Is there still a federal tax credit for solar in New Jersey?
No. The 30% federal credit for homeowners under Section 25D ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so a New Jersey homeowner buying in 2026 should not subtract 30% from any quote. Companies that own a system on your roof can still claim a business credit.