Toms River, NJ Solar: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Toms River
If you live in Toms River, you have likely noticed your electric bill climbing. New Jersey residential electricity rates now average 19.38 cents per kWh, and prices have jumped 21% from 2020 to 2024. For many Toms River homeowners, solar has become a practical way to take control of those rising costs.
This guide walks you through what solar installation looks like in Toms River, from how it works to what to expect. Want the basics first? Start with our guide to home solar panels.
NEW JERSEY by the Numbers
5th Most residential solar in the United States
182 Households have installed solar panels
4.8 Avg peak sun hours per day
~$88k Toms River average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Toms River, NJ?
See real solar costs for Toms River, built from our actual installations across neighborhoods like Silverton, Pleasant Plains, and North Dover. This calculator uses firsthand local data—not estimates—so you get a clear, honest picture of what solar could cost at your home. Explore the numbers and learn what fits you.
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment
- System Cost: $26,857
- Price per Watt: $2.98
- Final Cost: $26,857
Savings
Your total financial benefit
- Monthly Savings: Average utility bill reduction of $202
- Payback Period: Break-even point of 9.6 years
- 25-Year Savings: $88,182
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey electricity rates have jumped 21% since 2020, now averaging 19.4¢ per kWh, making solar a practical way for Toms River homeowners to gain predictable energy costs.
- Toms River homeowners can save around $88,000 over 25 years with a typical system, with monthly savings near $202 and a payback period under 10 years.
- New Jersey offers strong solar incentives like full retail-rate net metering plus sales and property tax exemptions, and leasing lets you go solar with no upfront cost.
Toms River Electricity Prices
If your Toms River electric bill keeps climbing, you are not imagining it. New Jersey rates have been rising for years.
New Jersey electricity now averages about 19.4 cents per kWh, well above the national average. As the chart shows, rates here have climbed steadily since 2021, outpacing much of the country.
Solar offers one way to respond to these rising rates. By generating your own power, you rely less on the grid and gain more predictability over what you pay each month. Learn the basics in our guide to home solar panels.
Price of Energy: New Jersey vs National Average
| Year | NJ Average | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16.0¢ | 16.0¢ |
| 2022 | 16.5¢ | 16.4¢ |
| 2023 | 17.7¢ | 15.0¢ |
| 2024 | 19.4¢ | 13.7¢ |
Toms River Area Utility Providers
In Toms River, JCP&L is the main utility provider. In 2023, its residential rate averaged about 14¢ per kWh—below both New Jersey’s 17.70¢ average and the national average of 16¢ per kWh.
New Jersey Solar Incentives
While the cost of going solar can feel steep, several solar incentives in New Jersey help Toms River homeowners lower the total price.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Metering | Net Metering | New Jersey mandates full 1:1 retail-rate net metering for all residential solar customers across all four investor-owned utilities. | Learn More |
| New Jersey Solar Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | Solar energy systems and battery storage equipment are 100% exempt from New Jersey’s 6.625% state sales and use tax. | Learn More |
| New Jersey Solar Property Tax Exemption | Property Tax Exemption | The added home value from a solar installation is permanently excluded from New Jersey property tax assessments. | Learn More |
| Community Solar Energy Program (CSEP) | Rebate | New Jersey’s Community Solar Energy Program allows customers to subscribe to a share of an off-site solar farm. | Learn More |
| Competitive Solar Incentive (CSI) Program | SREC | New Jersey’s Competitive Solar Incentive (CSI) Program awards SREC-II payments to large solar projects. | Learn More |
| Garden State Energy Storage Program (GSESP) – Phase 2 (Residential) | Rebate | New Jersey’s Phase 2 provides rebates for residential battery storage systems. | Learn More |
Toms River Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Solar Production in Toms River by Month
| Month | System Size: 5 kW | 7 kW | 10 kW | Daylight Hours | Energy Production (kWh/day) |
|---|
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.1 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 15 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 4.7 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 1.5 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 11 hours
- or Fully charge 2.2 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 166 trees
Solar Panel Systems in Toms River
See how many of your Toms River neighbors have switched to solar. We’ve organized solar installation data from across the country and mapped it here.
Leasing Solar Panels
Going solar in Toms River doesn’t have to mean paying thousands upfront. If your home is served by JCP&L, PSE&G, Atlantic City Electric, or Rockland Electric, you can go solar through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Palmetto’s LightReach program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Toms River, NJ have net metering?
Yes. Toms River, NJ has full 1:1 retail-rate net metering. If your home is served by JCP&L (the main local provider), PSE&G, Atlantic City Electric, or Rockland Electric, excess solar energy sent to the grid earns credits at the same rate you pay for electricity.
Do solar panels increase your home value in Toms River, NJ?
Yes. When you own your solar panels, they can increase your Toms River home’s value. A Zillow study found that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more.
How much does it cost to go solar in Toms River, NJ?
Many Toms River homeowners go solar with no upfront cost through a LightReach lease, paying a low fixed monthly rate that starts around $120/mo.