Solar Panel Cost Guide in Helotes, TX (Mar 2023)
- Helotes Solar Installation Cost: $14,104
- 25-Year Savings: $22,766
- Payback Period: 9.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Helotes
We break down average solar pricing in Helotes.
The average cost of a solar system in Helotes is 2.69 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Helotes, most homeowners require a 7.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $14,104, or $20,169 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The actual cost of going solar can vary based on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Helotes that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Helotes
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,629 |
| 3 years | $-9,679 |
| 5 years | $-6,730 |
| 7 years | $-3,780 |
| 9 years | $-831 |
| 11 years | $2,119 |
| 13 years | $5,069 |
| 15 years | $8,018 |
| 17 years | $10,968 |
| 19 years | $13,917 |
| 21 years | $16,867 |
| 23 years | $19,816 |
| 25 years | $22,766 |
Top Solar Installers in Helotes
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra labor and knowledge. For that reason, the majority of homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. The payback period on an investment in solar panels will vary depending on factors like your location and energy use, but working with a solar installer can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Helotes
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Helotes
There are a number of factors 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 panels.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,690 per kilowatt in Helotes. The model of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Helotes offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to clean energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating in Helotes, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in Helotes know more about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
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 | $17,772 | 10.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $23,997 | 9.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $30,373 | 9.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $36,900 | 9.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $43,577 | 9.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $50,405 | 9.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $57,383 | 8.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $64,512 | 8.6 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 find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
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 Helotes, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Helotes?
The average cost of solar panels in Helotes is about $13,450 for a 5-kW system and $26,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly 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 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% with a solar installation."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to 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.