Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Lake Hills, TX (Feb 2023)
- West Lake Hills Solar Installation Cost: $14,235
- 25-Year Savings: $21,992
- Payback Period: 9.8 Years
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Lake Hills
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in West Lake Hills.
In West Lake Hills, solar panels cost about $3 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in West Lake Hills, most homeowners require a 7.6-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $14,235, or $10,534 after the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average West Lake Hills homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Even with the significant upfront cost, the average West Lake Hills homeowner can save about $18,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in West Lake Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,786 |
| 3 years | $-9,888 |
| 5 years | $-6,990 |
| 7 years | $-4,092 |
| 9 years | $-1,194 |
| 11 years | $1,705 |
| 13 years | $4,603 |
| 15 years | $7,501 |
| 17 years | $10,399 |
| 19 years | $13,297 |
| 21 years | $16,195 |
| 23 years | $19,094 |
| 25 years | $21,992 |
Top Solar Installers in West Lake Hills
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it takes extra labor and handiness. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you'd like to make the switch to solar but still aren't sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 West Lake Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Lake Hills
For many West Lake Hills homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in West Lake Hills, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The type of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Moreover, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider 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 falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in West Lake Hills to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest. While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for West Lake Hills homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in West Lake Hills, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $17,007 | 10.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $22,977 | 10.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $29,098 | 9.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $35,370 | 9.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $41,792 | 9.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $48,365 | 9.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $55,088 | 9.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $61,962 | 8.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the cost.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
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 West Lake Hills, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West Lake Hills?
The average cost of solar panels in West Lake Hills is about $13,450 for a 5-kW system and $26,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in West Lake Hills?
A solar panel system isn't free in West Lake Hills, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Does West Lake Hills have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in West Lake Hills?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.