Solar Panel Cost Guide in Belton, TX (Mar 2023)
- Belton Solar Installation Cost: $14,198
- 25-Year Savings: $19,696
- Payback Period: 10.5 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Belton
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Belton.
The average cost of solar panels in Belton is 2.69 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Belton is around 7.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,198 for a solar installation, or $20,303 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The exact cost of going solar can vary based on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with. Despite the high upfront cost, the average Belton homeowner can save around $17,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Belton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,842 |
| 3 years | $-10,131 |
| 5 years | $-7,419 |
| 7 years | $-4,708 |
| 9 years | $-1,996 |
| 11 years | $715 |
| 13 years | $3,427 |
| 15 years | $6,138 |
| 17 years | $8,850 |
| 19 years | $11,561 |
| 21 years | $14,273 |
| 23 years | $16,984 |
| 25 years | $19,696 |
Top Solar Installers in Belton
When going solar, many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar companies provide can be useful as well, especially if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Belton:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Belton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Belton
The cost of installing a solar system in Belton can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, 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 electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,690 per kilowatt in Belton. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Belton, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of 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
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in Belton, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can affect the cost. Belton's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Belton are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.80 | $11,750 | $15,222 | 10.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $20,597 | 10.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $26,123 | 10.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $31,799 | 10.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $37,627 | 10.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $43,604 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $49,733 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $56,012 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Belton, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Belton?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,450 for a 5-kW system and $26,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, 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 Belton?
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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Belton?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.