Solar Panel Cost Guide in Brownsville, FL (2023 Update)
- Brownsville Solar Installation Cost: $9,498
- 25-Year Savings: $19,661
- Payback Period: 8.1 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Brownsville
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Brownsville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Brownsville it's 2.53 per watt. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Brownsville, most homeowners require a 5.4-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $9,493, or $13,575 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar panel system could cost. The actual cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Brownsville can save around $21,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in Brownsville for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Brownsville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,400 |
| 3 years | $-9,206 |
| 5 years | $-9,012 |
| 7 years | $-8,817 |
| 9 years | $-8,623 |
| 11 years | $-8,428 |
| 13 years | $-8,234 |
| 15 years | $-8,040 |
| 17 years | $-7,845 |
| 19 years | $-7,651 |
| 21 years | $-7,456 |
| 23 years | $-7,262 |
| 25 years | $-7,068 |
Top Solar Installers in Brownsville
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Using a solar panel installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. Plus, if you're unsure what type of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Brownsville, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in Brownsville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Brownsville
For many Brownsville homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Brownsville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Brownsville provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it's vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Brownsville is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.63 | $11,051 | $21,572 | 8.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.58 | $14,451 | $29,046 | 8.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.53 | $17,710 | $36,662 | 8.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.48 | $20,827 | $44,419 | 8.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.43 | $23,802 | $52,318 | 7.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.38 | $26,636 | $60,359 | 7.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.33 | $29,328 | $68,541 | 7.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.28 | $31,878 | $76,866 | 7.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar panels, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry different brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you're considering has it.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Brownsville, FL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Brownsville?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,650 for a 5-kW system and $25,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Brownsville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase your home value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How long do solar panels last in Brownsville?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.