Solar Panel Cost Guide in Austin, AR (2024 Update)
- Austin Solar Installation Cost: $20,407
- 25-Year Savings: $22,628
- Payback Period: 13.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Austin
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Austin.
In Austin, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average Austin homeowner needs a 8.4-kilowatt system, which would cost about $20,407 with the federal tax credit, or $29,182 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Austin homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Austin can save about $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Austin
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,951 |
| 3 years | $-16,039 |
| 5 years | $-13,127 |
| 7 years | $-10,214 |
| 9 years | $-7,302 |
| 11 years | $-4,390 |
| 13 years | $-1,478 |
| 15 years | $1,434 |
| 17 years | $4,346 |
| 19 years | $7,258 |
| 21 years | $10,170 |
| 23 years | $13,082 |
| 25 years | $15,995 |
Top Solar Installers in Austin
Many homeowners decide to use a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in Austin, therefore optimizing your ROI.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Austin
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Austin
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Austin: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar 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 about $3,490. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Austin, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Austin, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Austin is the company you get to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up 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 | $3.63 | $15,244 | $11,677 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $15,960 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $20,438 | 13.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $25,112 | 13.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $29,982 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $35,047 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $40,307 | 12.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $45,763 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Austin, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry 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: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Austin, AR Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Austin?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Austin?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Austin. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.