Solar Panel Cost Guide in San Antonio, TX (2024 Update)
- San Antonio Solar Installation Cost: $17,486
- 25-Year Savings: $23,093
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in San Antonio
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in San Antonio.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in San Antonio it’s 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 7.5-kW system would cost about $17,486 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The actual price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in San Antonio based on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With typical savings of about $19,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in San Antonio find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
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 San Antonio
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,081 |
| 3 years | $-13,270 |
| 5 years | $-10,460 |
| 7 years | $-7,650 |
| 9 years | $-4,840 |
| 11 years | $-2,030 |
| 13 years | $780 |
| 15 years | $3,591 |
| 17 years | $6,401 |
| 19 years | $9,211 |
| 21 years | $12,021 |
| 23 years | $14,831 |
| 25 years | $17,641 |
Top Solar Installers in San Antonio
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it takes extra labor and knowledge. For that reason, most people choose a solar panel installer. Because solar panels are exposed to rain, snow, hail and wind, depending on the climate, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions 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 San Antonio
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in San Antonio
The cost of installing a solar system in San Antonio can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,330. The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will substantially affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on 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 into a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable option because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.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 back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in San Antonio, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $15,223 | 12.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $20,670 | 12.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $26,304 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $32,125 | 11.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $38,131 | 11.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $44,325 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $50,704 | 10.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $57,270 | 10.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many 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 details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer various brands and models of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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 San Antonio, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in San Antonio?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in San Antonio?
A solar panel system isn’t free in San Antonio, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose 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 a solar system."
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having 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.