Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rio Grande City, TX (2024 Update)
- Rio Grande City Solar Installation Cost: $16,232
- 25-Year Savings: $22,646
- Payback Period: 11.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rio Grande City
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Rio Grande City.
The average cost of a solar system in Rio Grande City is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Rio Grande City, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,232, or $23,212 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The exact cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.Many homeowners find going solar is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Rio Grande City can save about $20,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Rio Grande City that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Rio Grande City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,990 |
| 3 years | $-12,506 |
| 5 years | $-10,022 |
| 7 years | $-7,538 |
| 9 years | $-5,054 |
| 11 years | $-2,570 |
| 13 years | $-85 |
| 15 years | $2,399 |
| 17 years | $4,883 |
| 19 years | $7,367 |
| 21 years | $9,851 |
| 23 years | $12,335 |
| 25 years | $14,819 |
Top Solar Installers in Rio Grande City
Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Rio Grande City, thereby optimizing your ROI.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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 Grande City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rio Grande City
There are many factors that can affect 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
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,330 per kilowatt in Rio Grande City.The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will considerably influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think 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 looking for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Rio Grande City to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Rio Grande City homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. 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 final key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Rio Grande City, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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 | $3.46 | $14,545 | $16,265 | 11.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $22,060 | 11.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $28,041 | 11.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $34,208 | 11.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $40,562 | 10.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $47,103 | 10.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $53,830 | 10.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $60,743 | 10.2 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 select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you go with.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels 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
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 Grande City, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Rio Grande City?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $16,650 for a 5-kW system and $33,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost 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.
Is it worth going solar in Rio Grande City?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house 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.