Solar Panel Cost Guide in Duncanville, TX (Mar 2023)
- Duncanville Solar Installation Cost: $14,480
- 25-Year Savings: $22,707
- Payback Period: 9.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Duncanville
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Duncanville.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Duncanville typically cost about 2.69. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Duncanville, most homeowners require a 7.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $14,480, or $20,706 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar panel system could cost. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Duncanville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,993 |
| 3 years | $-10,018 |
| 5 years | $-7,043 |
| 7 years | $-4,068 |
| 9 years | $-1,093 |
| 11 years | $1,882 |
| 13 years | $4,857 |
| 15 years | $7,832 |
| 17 years | $10,807 |
| 19 years | $13,782 |
| 21 years | $16,757 |
| 23 years | $19,732 |
| 25 years | $22,707 |
Top Solar Installers in Duncanville
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra time and handiness. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers provide can be invaluable as well, particularly if you aren't sure what type of solar equipment you need.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Duncanville:
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 Duncanville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Duncanville
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Duncanville is $14,480, your actual cost may differ. There are several factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Duncanville, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home's energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,690 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Duncanville, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable route because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it's crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Duncanville, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $17,257 | 10.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $23,311 | 9.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $29,515 | 9.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $35,870 | 9.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $42,375 | 9.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $49,031 | 9.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $55,838 | 9.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $62,796 | 8.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure to read it through carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
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 Duncanville, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Duncanville?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Duncanville?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it usually 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.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had 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.