Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northlake, TX (Mar 2023)
- Northlake Solar Installation Cost: $14,424
- 25-Year Savings: $17,682
- Payback Period: 11.2 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Northlake
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Northlake.
The average cost of a solar system in Northlake is 2.69 per watt. Because a 7.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Northlake, the average price of going solar will be about $14,424 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary based on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Northlake see about $16,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
To receive a free estimate from a top solar company in Northlake, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Northlake
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,140 |
| 3 years | $-10,571 |
| 5 years | $-8,003 |
| 7 years | $-5,434 |
| 9 years | $-2,866 |
| 11 years | $-297 |
| 13 years | $2,271 |
| 15 years | $4,840 |
| 17 years | $7,408 |
| 19 years | $9,976 |
| 21 years | $12,545 |
| 23 years | $15,113 |
| 25 years | $17,682 |
Top Solar Installers in Northlake
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to hire a solar company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. Companies can also provide access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be best for you.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Northlake, we've compiled 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 (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 Northlake
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northlake
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Northlake: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,690. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Northlake, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Northlake to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it's vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Northlake, you'll have a great number of 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 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 vehicle 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 | $13,405 | 11.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $18,175 | 11.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $23,095 | 11.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $28,166 | 11.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $33,388 | 10.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $38,760 | 10.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $44,283 | 10.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $49,957 | 10.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar panels, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound 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 certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- 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 hire.
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 Northlake, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Northlake?
The average cost of solar panels in Northlake 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 such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Northlake?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Does Northlake have a net metering program?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future power bills.
How long do solar panels last in Northlake?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.