Solar Panel Cost Guide in San Antonio, TX (2023 Update)
- San Antonio Solar Installation Cost: $14,122
- 25-Year Savings: $23,095
- Payback Period: 9.5 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in San Antonio
We break down average solar pricing in San Antonio.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in San Antonio typically cost around 2.69. The average San Antonio homeowner needs a 7.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $14,122 with the federal tax credit, or $20,194 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more. Even with the significant initial cost, the average San Antonio homeowner can save about $19,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in San Antonio for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in San Antonio
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,634 |
| 3 years | $-9,656 |
| 5 years | $-6,679 |
| 7 years | $-3,702 |
| 9 years | $-724 |
| 11 years | $2,253 |
| 13 years | $5,231 |
| 15 years | $8,208 |
| 17 years | $11,186 |
| 19 years | $14,163 |
| 21 years | $17,140 |
| 23 years | $20,118 |
| 25 years | $23,095 |
Top Solar Installers in San Antonio
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 an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. A solar company can also help save you money over time by offering warranties, repairs and component replacements.
Working with a professional solar company 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
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 San Antonio
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in San Antonio
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in San Antonio: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power generation need 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 $2,690. The model of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions 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 searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in San Antonio, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for San Antonio homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. 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
The solar company you hire to handle your switch to clean energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating in San Antonio, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into your budget.
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 | $18,019 | 9.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $24,326 | 9.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $30,784 | 9.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $37,393 | 9.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $44,152 | 9.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $51,062 | 8.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $58,123 | 8.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $65,334 | 8.5 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 models and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you'd like to get plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above 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
EcoWatch's San Antonio, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in San Antonio?
This is a difficult 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. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in San Antonio?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
How will having solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase your property's value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 decide to replace them once you've had 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.