Solar Panel Cost Guide in Brady, TX (2024 Update)
- Brady Solar Installation Cost: $16,859
- 25-Year Savings: $25,309
- Payback Period: 10.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Brady
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Brady.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Brady it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Brady, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,859, or $24,108 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Brady homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $20,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Brady
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,394 |
| 3 years | $-12,465 |
| 5 years | $-9,536 |
| 7 years | $-6,607 |
| 9 years | $-3,678 |
| 11 years | $-750 |
| 13 years | $2,179 |
| 15 years | $5,108 |
| 17 years | $8,037 |
| 19 years | $10,966 |
| 21 years | $13,895 |
| 23 years | $16,824 |
| 25 years | $19,753 |
Top Solar Installers in Brady
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be hard. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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 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
See all of the solar companies in Brady
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Brady
For many Brady homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Brady, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,330.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Brady average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Brady to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Brady homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar system can play a part in determining the cost. Brady’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down 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 | $17,748 | 11.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $24,037 | 11.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $30,513 | 10.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $37,175 | 10.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $44,023 | 10.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $51,058 | 10.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $58,279 | 10.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $65,687 | 9.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Brady, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the longevity of your solar system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good 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 that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
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 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
EcoWatch's Brady, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Brady?
The average cost of solar panels in Brady 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 consume.
Can you get solar panels for free in Brady?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Brady. However, you may still be able to afford 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.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my energy bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Brady, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.