Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dripping Springs, TX (2023 Update)
- Dripping Springs Solar Installation Cost: $14,217
- 25-Year Savings: $20,835
- Payback Period: 10.1 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dripping Springs
We go over average solar pricing in Dripping Springs.
In Dripping Springs, solar panels cost about 2.69 per watt on average. Since a 7.5-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Dripping Springs, the average price of going solar will be about $14,217 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Dripping Springs homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With average savings of about $18,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Dripping Springs find installing solar panels can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Dripping Springs for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Dripping Springs
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,815 |
| 3 years | $-10,010 |
| 5 years | $-7,206 |
| 7 years | $-4,402 |
| 9 years | $-1,598 |
| 11 years | $1,206 |
| 13 years | $4,010 |
| 15 years | $6,814 |
| 17 years | $9,618 |
| 19 years | $12,422 |
| 21 years | $15,226 |
| 23 years | $18,030 |
| 25 years | $20,835 |
Top Solar Installers in Dripping Springs
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra time and knowledge. For that reason, most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers provide can be valuable as well, especially if you aren't sure what kind of solar equipment you need.
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 near you:
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 Dripping Springs
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dripping Springs
The cost of installing a solar system in Dripping Springs can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it's crucial to accurately ascertain 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 pick also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Dripping Springs have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar. Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Dripping Springs homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you choose will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car 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 | $16,100 | 10.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $21,768 | 10.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $27,587 | 10.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $33,556 | 9.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $39,676 | 9.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $45,947 | 9.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $52,368 | 9.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $58,940 | 9.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many 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:
- Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar panels, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer different brands and kinds of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you're considering has it.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
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 Dripping Springs, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dripping Springs?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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 cost more if you want additional 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 less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will having solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your home value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt 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 solar panels."
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.