Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rio Bravo, TX (2024 Update)
- Rio Bravo Solar Installation Cost: $16,440
- 25-Year Savings: $27,179
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rio Bravo
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Rio Bravo.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Rio Bravo, the average cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Rio Bravo is around 7.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $16,440 for a solar installation, or $23,509 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in Rio Bravo based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
To get a free quote from a top solar company in Rio Bravo, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Rio Bravo
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,924 |
| 3 years | $-11,893 |
| 5 years | $-8,862 |
| 7 years | $-5,830 |
| 9 years | $-2,799 |
| 11 years | $233 |
| 13 years | $3,264 |
| 15 years | $6,295 |
| 17 years | $9,327 |
| 19 years | $12,358 |
| 21 years | $15,390 |
| 23 years | $18,421 |
| 25 years | $21,452 |
Top Solar Installers in Rio Bravo
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to use a solar installer since DIY solar panel installation can be a time-consuming project. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Rio Bravo, therefore optimizing your ROI.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Rio Bravo, 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 Rio Bravo
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rio Bravo
For many Rio Bravo homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Rio Bravo, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,330.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Typically, the brands that are more efficient tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in Rio Bravo, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Rio Bravo is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Additionally, some companies in Rio Bravo are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you 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 | $3.46 | $14,545 | $19,874 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $26,872 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $34,056 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $41,427 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $48,984 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $56,728 | 9.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $64,658 | 9.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $72,774 | 9.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure to look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren’t sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 Rio Bravo, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Rio Bravo?
The average cost of solar panels in Rio Bravo 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 certain factors such as 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 Rio Bravo?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Rio Bravo is currently $120,248, which means you could be looking at a value of about $4,930 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Rio Bravo is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in Rio Bravo?
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 the amount of 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.