Solar Panel Cost Guide in Los Alamos, NM (2025 Update)
- Los Alamos Solar Installation Cost: $15,807
- 25-Year Savings: $26,214
- Payback Period: 10.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Los Alamos
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Los Alamos.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Los Alamos it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 5.7-kW system would cost about $15,807 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can go higher or lower than the average in Los Alamos depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.With typical savings of about $24,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Los Alamos find going solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Los Alamos for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Los Alamos
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,784 |
| 3 years | $-12,740 |
| 5 years | $-10,695 |
| 7 years | $-8,650 |
| 9 years | $-6,605 |
| 11 years | $-4,561 |
| 13 years | $-2,516 |
| 15 years | $-471 |
| 17 years | $1,574 |
| 19 years | $3,618 |
| 21 years | $5,663 |
| 23 years | $7,708 |
| 25 years | $9,752 |
Top Solar Installers in Los Alamos
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Los Alamos
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Los Alamos
The cost of installing a solar system in Los Alamos can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is difficult, solar loans are a solid route because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panel system can impact the cost. Los Alamos’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions 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 | $4.09 | $17,166 | $21,463 | 11.1 years |
| 8 kW | $4.01 | $22,448 | $29,058 | 10.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.93 | $27,510 | $36,872 | 10.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.85 | $32,352 | $44,907 | 10.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.77 | $36,973 | $53,162 | 10.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.69 | $41,375 | $61,636 | 10.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.62 | $45,557 | $70,331 | 9.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.54 | $49,518 | $79,246 | 9.6 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. Because choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you opt for.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Los Alamos, NM Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Los Alamos?
The average cost of solar panels in Los Alamos is about $19,650 for a 5-kW system and $39,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Los Alamos?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Los Alamos?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.