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Jersey City has the highest solar costs in NJ due to density, but also one of the most valuable property tax exemptions. A typical 6 kW system costs ~$19,000 with no federal credit in 2026.
2026 Reality: The 30% federal tax credit expired for homeowners. All costs in this guide reflect $0 federal credit. Details
A typical 6 kW system in Jersey City costs ~$19,000. In PSE&G territory at $0.26/kWh, with SREC-II of ~$620/yr and full retail net metering, payback is ~7.8 years. With ~$11,000 avg property taxes, the tax exemption is enormously valuable.
Cost Range
$2.9–$3.25/W
Fully installed
Payback
7.8 yrs
Cash purchase
SREC-II
$620/yr
Annual income
Property Tax
~$11K/yr
Huge solar exemption value
Jersey City has the highest per-watt costs in NJ due to extreme density, complex roof access, and elevated labor costs in Hudson County.
| System Size | Low Cost | High Cost | SREC-II | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $11,600 | $13,000 | ~$410/yr | Condo/small roof |
| 6 kW | $17,400 | $19,500 | ~$620/yr | Average JC home |
| 8 kW | $23,200 | $26,000 | ~$825/yr | Brownstone/multi-family |
| 10 kW | $29,000 | $32,500 | ~$1,030/yr | Large home / high usage |
SREC-II pays for every MWh of solar production for 15 years. A significant income stream on top of electricity savings.
Annual SREC-II (6 kW)
~$620
Based on ~7.8 MWh/yr production
15-Year SREC-II Total
~$9,300
Guaranteed program income
Annual Production
~7,800 kWh
~4.5 peak sun hours/day
PSE&G credits excess solar at the full retail rate of $0.26/kWh. Credits roll over monthly and true up annually.
~$2,030/yr
Annual electricity savings
Jersey City averages ~$11,000/yr in property taxes — among the highest in NJ. The 100% solar exemption avoids higher taxes on the added home value.
Up to $19,000 of added home value exempt
Lifetime exemption
NJ exempts solar energy systems from the 6.625% state sales tax. Immediate savings at purchase.
~$1,259
Savings on $19K system
Four ways to pay for solar. PPAs and leases are popular in Jersey City due to the high concentration of condos and multi-family buildings.
Upfront
~$19,000
Monthly
$0
25-yr Savings
~$72K
Ownership
You own it
Best long-term ROI. Payback ~7.8 years. Huge property tax exemption value in JC.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
~$145–190/mo
25-yr Savings
~$48–58K
Ownership
You own it
10–25 year terms. SREC-II income helps offset payments from day one.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
Fixed rate ~$0.14–0.18/kWh
25-yr Savings
~$22–30K
Ownership
Third party owns
Third-party owner claims Section 48 ITC. You buy power below PSE&G rates.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
~$75–110/mo
25-yr Savings
~$18–25K
Ownership
Third party owns
Fixed payment, no maintenance. Popular for JC condos and multi-family.
Section 25D (the 30% residential solar tax credit) expired December 31, 2025. Jersey City homeowners buying cash or loan receive $0 in federal credit. Third-party system owners (PPA/lease) can still claim the commercial Section 48 ITC.
Read: What happened to the solar tax creditJersey City is one of the densest cities in America. For most condo and apartment residents, community solar is the best solar option.
No rooftop installation — subscribe to a solar farm
Save 10-20% on your PSE&G bill
$0 upfront, cancel anytime
Perfect for renters and condo owners
NJ CSEP program ensures availability
Especially valuable in JC high-rises
With small roofs and limited access, community solar is often the most practical option in Jersey City. However, if you have a suitable roof, rooftop solar offers greater long-term savings.
Explore NJ optionsSolar panels in Jersey City cost $2.90-3.25 per watt installed in 2026. This is the highest per-watt cost in NJ due to the extreme density, complex roof access, and higher labor costs. For a typical 6 kW system, expect approximately $19,000 before state incentives. There is no federal tax credit for homeowners in 2026 — Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
Jersey City has one of the highest effective property tax rates in New Jersey, with the average homeowner paying approximately $11,000 per year. When you install solar, NJ law exempts 100% of the added home value from property taxes. On a $19,000 system, this saves hundreds of dollars per year in avoided property tax increases for the life of the system — making JC one of the best places in NJ for the solar property tax exemption.
Rooftop solar on JC condos requires building association approval, which can be challenging in large buildings. Community solar is the better option for most JC condo and apartment residents — you subscribe to a local solar farm and receive 10-20% bill credits on your PSE&G bill with $0 upfront and no installation. New Jersey's CSEP program ensures access.
SREC-II is New Jersey's solar incentive program that pays system owners for each MWh of solar electricity produced. A 6 kW system in Jersey City earns approximately $620 per year in SREC-II income for 15 years, totaling roughly $9,300. This is on top of your electricity savings from net metering.
Jersey City is served by PSE&G, which offers full retail-rate net metering at $0.26/kWh for residential systems up to 25 kW AC. Excess generation credits roll over monthly and true up annually. PSE&G handles interconnection, typically completed 2-4 weeks after installation.
Jersey City has the highest solar installation costs in NJ due to several factors: extreme building density requires specialized rooftop access and equipment, many buildings have complex roof structures, parking and staging areas for installation crews are limited, and labor costs in Hudson County are higher. However, the high PSE&G rates and property tax exemption value offset this premium.
No. The 30% federal solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired for homeowners on December 31, 2025. All cost and savings figures reflect $0 federal credit. If you use a PPA or lease, the third-party system owner can claim the commercial Section 48 ITC, which may result in lower per-kWh rates.
Solar installation in Jersey City typically takes 8-12 weeks from signed contract to activation. Permitting in Jersey City takes 2-4 weeks, installation itself is 1-3 days, and PSE&G interconnection adds another 2-4 weeks. Complex roof access or building association approvals may extend the timeline.
We will assess your specific roof, building, and PSE&G rate to show you exactly what solar costs and saves for your Jersey City home.
Pricing: EnergySage Solar Marketplace (January 2026), NuWatt Energy NJ installations.
Utility rates: PSE&G residential rate schedule, effective January 2026.
SREC-II: NJ Board of Public Utilities, SuSI/ADI program guidelines.
Property taxes: Jersey City tax assessor data, NJ Division of Taxation solar exemption statutes.