Solar Panel Cost Guide in Laguna Vista, TX (Mar 2023)
- Laguna Vista Solar Installation Cost: $13,294
- 25-Year Savings: $19,042
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Laguna Vista
We go over average solar pricing in Laguna Vista.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Laguna Vista typically cost about 2.69. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Laguna Vista, most homeowners require a 7.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $13,294, or $19,010 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The actual price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Laguna Vista based on a variety of factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on power bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Laguna Vista that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Laguna Vista
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,001 |
| 3 years | $-9,414 |
| 5 years | $-6,827 |
| 7 years | $-4,240 |
| 9 years | $-1,653 |
| 11 years | $934 |
| 13 years | $3,521 |
| 15 years | $6,108 |
| 17 years | $8,695 |
| 19 years | $11,282 |
| 21 years | $13,868 |
| 23 years | $16,455 |
| 25 years | $19,042 |
Top Solar Installers in Laguna Vista
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be challenging. Plus, if you're not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. 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 Laguna Vista
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Laguna Vista
For many Laguna Vista homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Laguna Vista, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $2,690. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Laguna Vista average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable choice because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Laguna Vista, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to 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 | $15,745 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $21,294 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $26,994 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $32,845 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $38,847 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $44,999 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $51,301 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $57,755 | 9.2 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 select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large 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 (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 Laguna Vista, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Laguna Vista?
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. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will installing solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably 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?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely 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.