Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lakeway, TX (2024 Update)
- Lakeway Solar Installation Cost: $17,619
- 25-Year Savings: $21,406
- Payback Period: 12.4 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lakeway
We go over average solar pricing in Lakeway.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Lakeway, the typical cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Lakeway, most homeowners require a 7.6-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,619, or $25,195 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you will most likely vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Lakeway can save around $18,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Lakeway
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,233 |
| 3 years | $-13,461 |
| 5 years | $-10,689 |
| 7 years | $-7,916 |
| 9 years | $-5,144 |
| 11 years | $-2,372 |
| 13 years | $400 |
| 15 years | $3,172 |
| 17 years | $5,945 |
| 19 years | $8,717 |
| 21 years | $11,489 |
| 23 years | $14,261 |
| 25 years | $17,034 |
Top Solar Installers in Lakeway
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Hiring a solar company can make converting to solar power much easier. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives.
If you're searching for a solar company in Lakeway, we've put together 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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Lakeway
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lakeway
There are many factors that can influence 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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,330 per kilowatt in Lakeway.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Lakeway average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Lakeway, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Lakeway, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions 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 | $3.46 | $14,545 | $13,745 | 12.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $18,699 | 12.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $23,840 | 12.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $29,167 | 12.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $34,681 | 11.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $40,382 | 11.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $46,269 | 11.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $52,342 | 11.1 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 difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s crucial to keep an open line of communication with your solar installer. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the completion timeline.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 past customers.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the endurance of your solar system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Lakeway, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Lakeway?
The average cost of solar panels in Lakeway is about $16,650 for a 5-kW system and $33,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Lakeway?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it often 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 option if you want to maximize your savings.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my electricity bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $943.00 per year.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.