Solar Panel Cost Guide in Brenham, TX (2024 Update)
- Brenham Solar Installation Cost: $17,734
- 25-Year Savings: $12,875
- Payback Period: 11.9 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Brenham
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Brenham.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Brenham it’s 3 per watt.Since a 7.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Brenham, the average price of going solar will be about $17,734 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Remember 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 solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Brenham can save around $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in Brenham for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Brenham
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-16,510 |
3 years | $-14,061 |
5 years | $-11,612 |
7 years | $-9,163 |
9 years | $-6,715 |
11 years | $-4,266 |
13 years | $-1,817 |
15 years | $632 |
17 years | $3,080 |
19 years | $5,529 |
21 years | $7,978 |
23 years | $10,427 |
25 years | $12,875 |
Top Solar Installers in Brenham
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be challenging. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Brenham, thereby optimizing your ROI.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 Brenham
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Brenham
For many Brenham homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Brenham, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Brenham to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Brenham, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $14,771 | 12.4 years |
8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $20,068 | 12.2 years |
10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $25,551 | 11.9 years |
12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $31,221 | 11.7 years |
14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $37,077 | 11.4 years |
16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $43,120 | 11.2 years |
18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $49,349 | 11.0 years |
20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $55,764 | 10.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Brenham, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Brenham, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Brenham?
The average cost of solar panels in Brenham is about $16,650 for a 5-kW system and $33,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Brenham?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Brenham. 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 want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Brenham, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes 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?
Even 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having 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.