Solar Panel Cost Guide in Castle Hills, TX (2023 Update)
- Castle Hills Solar Installation Cost: $14,110
- 25-Year Savings: $23,291
- Payback Period: 9.4 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Castle Hills
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Castle Hills.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Castle Hills is 2.69 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7.5-kW system would cost about $14,104 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The actual price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Castle Hills depending on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Castle Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,985 |
| 3 years | $-13,736 |
| 5 years | $-13,487 |
| 7 years | $-13,237 |
| 9 years | $-12,988 |
| 11 years | $-12,739 |
| 13 years | $-12,489 |
| 15 years | $-12,240 |
| 17 years | $-11,991 |
| 19 years | $-11,741 |
| 21 years | $-11,492 |
| 23 years | $-11,242 |
| 25 years | $-10,993 |
Top Solar Installers in Castle Hills
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra labor and handiness. That's why most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, if you're not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
If you'd like to switch to solar energy but still aren't certain which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Castle Hills:
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
See all of the solar companies in Castle Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Castle Hills
There are several criteria that can affect your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,690. The brand and type 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 are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional 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 significant investment. That's why many Castle Hills homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable. Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Castle Hills homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Castle Hills is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $2.80 | $11,750 | $18,197 | 9.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $24,564 | 9.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $31,082 | 9.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $37,750 | 9.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $44,569 | 9.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $51,539 | 8.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $58,659 | 8.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $65,930 | 8.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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
EcoWatch's Castle Hills, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Castle Hills?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally 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 extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably 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?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to 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.