Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cedar Park, TX (2023 Update)
- Cedar Park Solar Installation Cost: $14,204
- 25-Year Savings: $21,734
- Payback Period: 9.9 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cedar Park
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Cedar Park.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Cedar Park it's 2.69 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7.5-kW system would cost about $14,198 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in Cedar Park depending on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Cedar Park
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,085 |
| 3 years | $-13,845 |
| 5 years | $-13,605 |
| 7 years | $-13,366 |
| 9 years | $-13,126 |
| 11 years | $-12,887 |
| 13 years | $-12,647 |
| 15 years | $-12,408 |
| 17 years | $-12,168 |
| 19 years | $-11,928 |
| 21 years | $-11,689 |
| 23 years | $-11,449 |
| 25 years | $-11,210 |
Top Solar Installers in Cedar Park
Trying to install solar panels yourself can be a stressful project, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar installers offer can be valuable as well, particularly if you aren't sure what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Cedar Park, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Cedar Park
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cedar Park
For many Cedar Park homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Cedar Park, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that are more efficient tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you're looking to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Cedar Park offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels. It's wise to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Cedar Park is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you'll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fits within your budget.
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 | $16,835 | 10.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $22,747 | 10.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $28,811 | 9.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $35,025 | 9.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $41,390 | 9.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $47,905 | 9.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $54,571 | 9.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $61,388 | 8.9 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 picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
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 Cedar Park, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Cedar Park?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, 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 other solar equipment or more efficient 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.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Cedar Park?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to 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.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Cedar Park?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Cedar Park?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.