Solar Panel Cost Guide in Smithville, TX (2024 Update)
- Smithville Solar Installation Cost: $17,620
- 25-Year Savings: $25,701
- Payback Period: 11.0 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Smithville
We break down average solar pricing in Smithville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Smithville it’s 3 per watt.The average Smithville homeowner needs a 7.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,620 with the federal tax credit, or $25,197 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Smithville based on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Smithville see about $20,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installer in Smithville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Smithville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,247 |
| 3 years | $-13,503 |
| 5 years | $-10,758 |
| 7 years | $-8,013 |
| 9 years | $-5,268 |
| 11 years | $-2,523 |
| 13 years | $221 |
| 15 years | $2,966 |
| 17 years | $5,711 |
| 19 years | $8,456 |
| 21 years | $11,201 |
| 23 years | $13,945 |
| 25 years | $16,690 |
Top Solar Installers in Smithville
When going solar, many homeowners decide to hire a solar installation company since installing a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar installers provide can be invaluable as well, especially if you aren’t sure what brand of solar equipment you need.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Smithville, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Smithville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Smithville
For many Smithville homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Smithville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels 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 spend about $3,330 per kilowatt in Smithville.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Moreover, solar equipment consists of 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 searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Smithville to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Smithville is the company you hire 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 offer a range of services at different costs.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 | $17,153 | 11.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $23,243 | 11.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $29,520 | 11.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $35,984 | 10.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $42,634 | 10.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $49,470 | 10.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $56,493 | 10.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $63,702 | 9.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you opt for will affect not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
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 Smithville, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Smithville?
The average cost of solar panels in Smithville 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 certain factors such as 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 Smithville?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally 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.