Solar Panel Cost Guide in Princeton, TX (2024 Update)
- Princeton Solar Installation Cost: $18,028
- 25-Year Savings: $27,189
- Payback Period: 10.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Princeton
We go over average solar pricing in Princeton.
The average cost of a solar system in Princeton is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Princeton, most homeowners require a 7.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $18,028, or $25,780 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you may vary based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with.Even with the high initial cost, the average Princeton homeowner can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in your area for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in Princeton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,526 |
| 3 years | $-13,522 |
| 5 years | $-10,518 |
| 7 years | $-7,513 |
| 9 years | $-4,509 |
| 11 years | $-1,505 |
| 13 years | $1,499 |
| 15 years | $4,503 |
| 17 years | $7,508 |
| 19 years | $10,512 |
| 21 years | $13,516 |
| 23 years | $16,520 |
| 25 years | $19,524 |
Top Solar Installers in Princeton
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra energy and knowledge. For that reason, most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel company 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
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 Princeton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Princeton
There are a number of factors that can influence your solar system 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
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,330 per kilowatt in Princeton.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Princeton, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Princeton to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Princeton is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Some companies 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 at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that offers 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 | $3.46 | $14,545 | $17,845 | 11.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $24,167 | 11.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $30,675 | 10.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $37,369 | 10.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $44,250 | 10.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $51,318 | 10.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $58,571 | 9.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $66,012 | 9.7 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 pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it’s crucial to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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 Princeton, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Princeton?
The average cost of solar panels in Princeton is about $16,650 for a 5-kW system and $33,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like 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 Princeton?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford 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.
Is it worth going solar in Princeton?
Solar panels can be a great investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.