A Central New Jersey homeowner said a garage-mounted solar array with 30 panels recovered five-eighths of its upfront cost.
They happily reported to the r/solar subreddit that their electric bills had stayed in the single or double digits, with some statements even showing a negative balance.
Here's what to know
Writing on Reddit, the homeowner said the garage was built and later outfitted with the system on a standing-seam roof.
They paid cash, skipped battery storage, and used Exact Solar of Newtown, Pennsylvania, for the job at their home near Trenton.
"I estimate I am at 5/8 of being paid back for the install price," they said.
They shared a screenshot of a bill that showed a balance of minus-$51.32.
Going solar is one of the best ways to save, or even make, money on home energy. Using EnergySage can help homeowners get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes before committing.
More background
The post drew a couple of upbeat responses, including, "Looks like it's working!" and a joke from another commenter: "Your bill seems higher than usual this month."
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The original poster said the garage was built five years ago and the panels installed three years ago.
"It's a shame what has happened to Exact after they sold out," the first commenter wrote. "Seems like most good companies seem to go that way."
What can be done?
Exploring solar can unlock savings and get you started on a quick payback period.
EnergySage can also add value before any contract is signed. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on a solar purchase and installation as well as make it easy to compare multiple offers.
More From EnergySage
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
Shopping carefully can make a major difference in whether those numbers work out. With EnergySage's solar map, homeowners can see the average cost of a home solar panel system by state along with solar incentives available in each state. Together, those resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. While the OP said they did not have a battery, shoppers who want that added resilience can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
Where can I learn more?
This homeowner's payoff timeline is one example of how solar can work out.
• A homeowner snagged $10,000 in incentives for new panels and now saves $1,500 yearly.
• In Australia, a 20kW rooftop setup made blackouts invisible and delivered a $545 credit.
• EnergySage's former COO broke down the mystery of solar costs and the factors driving quotes.
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