Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sonterra, TX (2024 Update)
- Sonterra Solar Installation Cost: $17,549
- 25-Year Savings: $19,718
- Payback Period: 12.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sonterra
Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Sonterra.
The average cost of solar panels in Sonterra is 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Sonterra is around 7.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,549 for a solar installation, or $25,095 before the 0 federal solar 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 consumption, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Sonterra can save around $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Sonterra for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Sonterra
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,116 |
| 3 years | $-13,251 |
| 5 years | $-10,385 |
| 7 years | $-7,520 |
| 9 years | $-4,655 |
| 11 years | $-1,790 |
| 13 years | $1,076 |
| 15 years | $3,941 |
| 17 years | $6,806 |
| 19 years | $9,672 |
| 21 years | $12,537 |
| 23 years | $15,402 |
| 25 years | $18,268 |
Top Solar Installers in Sonterra
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installer since installing solar panels on your own can be hard. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Sonterra:
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 Sonterra
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sonterra
The cost of installing a solar system in Sonterra can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Sonterra, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Sonterra, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Companies that 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 cost more. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within 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 | $12,467 | 13.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $16,996 | 13.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $21,711 | 12.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $26,612 | 12.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $31,700 | 12.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $36,975 | 12.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $42,436 | 11.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $48,084 | 11.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of 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 previous customers.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have various brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
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 Sonterra, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sonterra?
The average cost of solar panels in Sonterra 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 such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Sonterra?
Solar panels aren’t free in Sonterra, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
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 fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.