Solar Panel Cost Guide in San Benito, TX (2024 Update)
- San Benito Solar Installation Cost: $16,449
- 25-Year Savings: $19,688
- Payback Period: 12.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in San Benito
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in San Benito.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in San Benito generally cost around 3.The average San Benito homeowner needs a 7.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,449 with the federal tax credit, or $23,522 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $18,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in San Benito find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in San Benito
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,007 |
| 3 years | $-12,124 |
| 5 years | $-9,242 |
| 7 years | $-6,359 |
| 9 years | $-3,476 |
| 11 years | $-593 |
| 13 years | $2,290 |
| 15 years | $5,173 |
| 17 years | $8,055 |
| 19 years | $10,938 |
| 21 years | $13,821 |
| 23 years | $16,704 |
| 25 years | $19,587 |
Top Solar Installers in San Benito
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar installer since handling can be a difficult project. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for you.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in San Benito:
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 Benito
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in San Benito
Though the average cost of a solar system in San Benito is $16,449, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,330. The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely affect 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 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
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable route because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for San Benito homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. 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 installation company you pick will affect your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.The company’s size can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have more 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 lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $13,493 | 13.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $18,363 | 12.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $23,420 | 12.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $28,664 | 12.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $34,093 | 12.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $39,710 | 11.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $45,513 | 11.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $51,502 | 11.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose considerably impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want to get plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies provide different panels.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one indication of a quality company.
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 Benito, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in San Benito?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly 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 extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably 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 solar panels."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.