Solar Panel Cost Guide in Castle Hills, TX (2024 Update)
- Castle Hills Solar Installation Cost: $17,467
- 25-Year Savings: $23,291
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Castle Hills
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Castle Hills.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Castle Hills, the average cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Castle Hills is around 7.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,467 for a solar installation, or $24,978 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Castle Hills based on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Castle Hills can save about $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar company in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Castle Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,058 |
| 3 years | $-13,239 |
| 5 years | $-10,420 |
| 7 years | $-7,602 |
| 9 years | $-4,783 |
| 11 years | $-1,965 |
| 13 years | $854 |
| 15 years | $3,673 |
| 17 years | $6,491 |
| 19 years | $9,310 |
| 21 years | $12,128 |
| 23 years | $14,947 |
| 25 years | $17,765 |
Top Solar Installers in Castle Hills
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Another upside of going with a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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
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 Castle Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Castle Hills
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Castle Hills: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Castle Hills homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s vital to take that into consideration as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you select will influence your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.46 | $14,545 | $15,402 | 12.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $20,908 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $26,602 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $32,482 | 11.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $38,548 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $44,801 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $51,240 | 10.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $57,866 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in Castle Hills, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power 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 acquire and how long the project will take.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model 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 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
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 Castle Hills, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Castle Hills?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $16,650 for a 5-kW system and $33,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra 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 cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Castle Hills?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it commonly 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
How will solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Castle Hills is currently $456,586, so you could be looking at a value of about $18,720 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Castle Hills is a rewarding investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually 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.