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NuWatt designs, installs, and manages solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger systems across 9 states. One company, one warranty, one point of contact.
Get a Free QuoteNew Brunswick, home to Rutgers University, offers affordable solar with SREC-II income and full tax exemptions. A typical 7 kW system costs ~$20,860 — with no federal tax credit in 2026.
2026 Reality: The 30% federal tax credit expired for homeowners. All New Brunswick solar costs in this guide reflect $0 federal credit. Details
A typical 7 kW solar system in New Brunswick costs ~$20,860 before incentives. New Brunswick is in PSE&G territory at $0.18/kWh. With SREC-II income of ~$720/yr and full retail net metering, solar pays for itself in ~8.9 years and saves ~$72,000 over 25 years.
Cost Range
$2.8–$3.15/W
Fully installed
Payback
8.9 yrs
Cash purchase
SREC-II
$720/yr
Annual income
PSE&G Rate
$0.18
Per kWh
Costs for different system sizes in New Brunswick. Prices reflect the city's urban-suburban housing mix.
| System Size | Low Cost | High Cost | SREC-II | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $14,000 | $15,750 | ~$515/yr | Small home / starter |
| 7 kW | $19,600 | $22,050 | ~$720/yr | Average single-family |
| 9 kW | $25,200 | $28,350 | ~$930/yr | Larger single-family |
| 10 kW | $28,000 | $31,500 | ~$1,030/yr | High usage / EV owner |
New Jersey's SREC-II program pays solar system owners for every MWh generated. Payments last 15 years from system activation.
Annual SREC-II (7 kW)
~$720
Based on ~9.0 MWh/yr production
15-Year SREC-II Total
~$10,800
Guaranteed program income
Annual Production
~9,000 kWh
~4.5 peak sun hours/day
PSE&G credits excess solar at the full retail rate of $0.18/kWh. Credits roll over monthly and true up annually.
~$1,620/yr
Annual electricity savings
New Brunswick averages ~$7,200 in property taxes. NJ exempts 100% of solar-added value from property taxes for the system lifetime.
Up to $20,860 of added home value exempt
Lifetime exemption
NJ exempts solar energy systems from the 6.625% state sales tax. Immediate savings at purchase.
~$1,382
Sales tax savings on $21K system
Four ways to pay for solar in New Brunswick. PPAs and leases offer $0 down because the system owner (not you) claims the commercial tax credit.
Upfront
~$20,860
Monthly
$0
25-yr Savings
~$72K
Ownership
You own it
Best long-term ROI. Payback ~8.9 years with SREC-II.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
~$165–215/mo
25-yr Savings
~$48–60K
Ownership
You own it
10–25 year terms. SREC-II income offsets monthly payments.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
Fixed rate ~$0.12–0.16/kWh
25-yr Savings
~$18–28K
Ownership
Third party owns
Third-party owner claims Section 48 ITC. You buy power at a discount.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
~$85–120/mo
25-yr Savings
~$15–22K
Ownership
Third party owns
Fixed monthly payment. No maintenance responsibility.
Section 25D (the 30% residential solar tax credit) expired December 31, 2025. New Brunswick homeowners buying cash or loan receive $0 in federal credit. Third-party system owners (PPA/lease) can still claim the commercial Section 48 ITC — which translates to lower PPA rates for you.
Read: What happened to the solar tax creditWith a large renter population and Rutgers University presence, community solar is especially relevant in New Brunswick.
No rooftop installation — subscribe to a local solar farm
Save 10-20% on your PSE&G bill
$0 upfront, no long-term contract required
Ideal for renters, students, and condo owners
NJ CSEP ensures equitable access across all income levels
Perfect for New Brunswick's diverse community
New Brunswick is one of NJ's most diverse cities. Whether you own a home near Highland Park or rent near Rutgers, there is a solar option for you — rooftop or community.
NJ Community Solar GuideSolar panels in New Brunswick cost $2.80-3.15 per watt installed in 2026. For a typical 7 kW system, that is approximately $20,860 before state incentives. There is no federal tax credit for homeowners — the 30% Section 25D credit expired December 31, 2025.
Community solar is an excellent option for New Brunswick's large renter population. With Rutgers University driving a significant rental market, many residents cannot install rooftop solar. Through NJ's CSEP program, you subscribe to a local solar farm and receive credits on your PSE&G bill, typically saving 10-20% with no installation or upfront cost.
A 7 kW system in New Brunswick generates approximately $720 per year in SREC-II income at the current rate of $85.00/MWh. Over the 15-year program term, that totals roughly $10,800. This income is in addition to your electricity savings and is a major driver of solar ROI in New Jersey.
New Jersey provides a 100% property tax exemption for solar-added home value. In New Brunswick, where average property taxes are approximately $7,200/year, your solar system adds ~$20,860 in home value with zero additional property tax. The exemption lasts for the life of the system.
New Brunswick is in PSE&G territory. PSE&G offers net metering at the full retail rate ($0.18/kWh) for residential systems up to 25 kW. PSE&G also provides a $900 instant rebate for qualifying residential solar installations and handles interconnection approval, which typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Yes, but with considerations. New Brunswick has many Victorian-era and early 20th century homes that may need roof assessment before solar installation. Multi-family buildings (2-4 units) can install solar with landlord approval. For larger apartment buildings, community solar is typically the better path. Many installers offer combined roof replacement and solar packages.
No. The 30% federal solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired for homeowners on December 31, 2025. All cost and savings figures in this guide reflect $0 federal credit. If you finance through a PPA or lease, the third-party system owner may claim the commercial Section 48 ITC, which can result in lower rates for you.
We will assess your specific New Brunswick roof, energy usage, and PSE&G rate to show you exactly what solar costs and saves for your 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.
Tax exemptions: NJ Division of Taxation, property tax exemption for renewable energy systems.