Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Livingston, TX (Mar 2023)
- West Livingston Solar Installation Cost: $14,461
- 25-Year Savings: $24,556
- Payback Period: 9.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Livingston
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in West Livingston.
In West Livingston, solar panels cost about 2.69 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in West Livingston, most homeowners require a 7.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $14,461, or $20,679 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in West Livingston based on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. Even with the significant initial cost, the average West Livingston homeowner can save around $19,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives 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 Livingston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,901 |
| 3 years | $-9,779 |
| 5 years | $-6,658 |
| 7 years | $-3,536 |
| 9 years | $-415 |
| 11 years | $2,706 |
| 13 years | $5,828 |
| 15 years | $8,949 |
| 17 years | $12,071 |
| 19 years | $15,192 |
| 21 years | $18,313 |
| 23 years | $21,435 |
| 25 years | $24,556 |
Top Solar Installers in West Livingston
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since installing solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and part replacements.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in West Livingston:
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 Livingston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Livingston
There are a number of criteria that can determine your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it's important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like West Livingston, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a popular route because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. It's a good idea to factor the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in West Livingston is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, you'll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to 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 | $18,738 | 9.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $25,286 | 9.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $31,984 | 9.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $38,832 | 9.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $45,832 | 8.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $52,982 | 8.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $60,282 | 8.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $67,734 | 8.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you opt for.
- Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar system is installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
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 Livingston, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in West Livingston?
The average cost of solar panels in West Livingston 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 certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in West Livingston is currently $123,100, which means you could be looking at a value of about $5,047 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in West Livingston is a worthwhile investment.
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 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.