Solar Panel Cost Guide in La Cienega, NM (2024 Update)
- La Cienega Solar Installation Cost: $15,549
- 25-Year Savings: $28,317
- Payback Period: 10.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in La Cienega
We break down average solar pricing in La Cienega.
The average cost of solar panels in La Cienega is 4 per watt.Because a 5.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in La Cienega, the average price of going solar will be about $15,549 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average La Cienega homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $26,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in La Cienega find installing solar panels can pay off big.
To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar company in La Cienega, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in La Cienega
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,460 |
| 3 years | $-12,283 |
| 5 years | $-10,106 |
| 7 years | $-7,929 |
| 9 years | $-5,751 |
| 11 years | $-3,574 |
| 13 years | $-1,397 |
| 15 years | $780 |
| 17 years | $2,958 |
| 19 years | $5,135 |
| 21 years | $7,312 |
| 23 years | $9,489 |
| 25 years | $11,666 |
Top Solar Installers in La Cienega
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it requires extra energy and handiness. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies offer can be useful as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in La Cienega
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in La Cienega
Although the average cost of a solar system in La Cienega is $15,549, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power generation need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,930.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the La Cienega average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in La Cienega provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in La Cienega, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $4.09 | $17,166 | $24,149 | 10.4 years |
| 8 kW | $4.01 | $22,448 | $32,639 | 10.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.93 | $27,510 | $41,349 | 10.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.85 | $32,352 | $50,279 | 9.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.77 | $36,973 | $59,429 | 9.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.69 | $41,375 | $68,799 | 9.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.62 | $45,557 | $78,390 | 9.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.54 | $49,518 | $88,200 | 9.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you opt for will influence not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's La Cienega, NM Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in La Cienega?
The average cost of solar panels in La Cienega is about $19,650 for a 5-kW system and $39,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in La Cienega?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in La Cienega?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.