Solar Panel Cost Guide in Los Chaves, NM (2024 Update)
- Los Chaves Solar Installation Cost: $15,284
- 25-Year Savings: $29,255
- Payback Period: 9.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Los Chaves
We go over average solar pricing in Los Chaves.
In Los Chaves, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Los Chaves is around 5.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $15,284 for a solar installation, or $21,856 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The actual price you pay can be above or below the average in Los Chaves depending on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $27,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Los Chaves
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,195 |
| 3 years | $-12,018 |
| 5 years | $-9,841 |
| 7 years | $-7,664 |
| 9 years | $-5,486 |
| 11 years | $-3,309 |
| 13 years | $-1,132 |
| 15 years | $1,045 |
| 17 years | $3,223 |
| 19 years | $5,400 |
| 21 years | $7,577 |
| 23 years | $9,754 |
| 25 years | $11,932 |
Top Solar Installers in Los Chaves
Putting up solar panels on your own can be a time-consuming project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Local solar installation companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can take advantage of and by providing warranties and repairs.
If you're searching for a solar company in Los Chaves, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Los Chaves
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Los Chaves
The cost of installing a solar system in Los Chaves can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,930 per kilowatt in Los Chaves.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Los Chaves, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Los Chaves homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of 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 more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can affect your pricing. Los Chaves’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $25,684 | 10.0 years |
| 8 kW | $4.01 | $22,448 | $34,685 | 9.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.93 | $27,510 | $43,907 | 9.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.85 | $32,352 | $53,349 | 9.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.77 | $36,973 | $63,010 | 9.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.69 | $41,375 | $72,892 | 9.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.62 | $45,557 | $82,994 | 8.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.54 | $49,518 | $93,316 | 8.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
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 Los Chaves, NM Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Los Chaves?
The average cost of solar panels in Los Chaves 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 like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Los Chaves?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Los Chaves. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.