Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lufkin, TX (2023 Update)
- Lufkin Solar Installation Cost: $14,379
- 25-Year Savings: $25,098
- Payback Period: 9.1 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lufkin
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Lufkin.
The average cost of a solar system in Lufkin is 2.69 per watt. The average Lufkin homeowner needs a 7.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $14,386 with the federal tax credit, or $20,572 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more. With typical savings of about $20,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Lufkin find going solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in Lufkin for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Lufkin
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,248 |
| 3 years | $-13,985 |
| 5 years | $-13,721 |
| 7 years | $-13,458 |
| 9 years | $-13,195 |
| 11 years | $-12,932 |
| 13 years | $-12,669 |
| 15 years | $-12,405 |
| 17 years | $-12,142 |
| 19 years | $-11,879 |
| 21 years | $-11,616 |
| 23 years | $-11,353 |
| 25 years | $-11,090 |
Top Solar Installers in Lufkin
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Taking advantage of a solar panel installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, especially if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Lufkin, 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
See all of the solar companies in Lufkin
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lufkin
For many Lufkin homeowners, the decision to go solar comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Lufkin, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The kind of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think about 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's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, 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. While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Lufkin homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can influence your pricing. Lufkin's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $19,268 | 9.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $25,992 | 9.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $32,866 | 9.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $39,892 | 8.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $47,067 | 8.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $54,394 | 8.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $61,871 | 8.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $69,499 | 8.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: When reading over your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need to install plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
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
EcoWatch's Lufkin, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Lufkin?
This is a difficult 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 other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Lufkin?
Solar panels aren't free in Lufkin, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Lufkin?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future energy bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.