Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cotulla, TX (2024 Update)
- Cotulla Solar Installation Cost: $16,711
- 25-Year Savings: $23,062
- Payback Period: 11.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cotulla
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Cotulla.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Cotulla typically cost around 3.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Cotulla, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,711, or $23,897 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $19,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Cotulla find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
To receive a free estimate from a top solar installation company in Cotulla, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Cotulla
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,435 |
| 3 years | $-12,882 |
| 5 years | $-10,329 |
| 7 years | $-7,776 |
| 9 years | $-5,223 |
| 11 years | $-2,671 |
| 13 years | $-118 |
| 15 years | $2,435 |
| 17 years | $4,988 |
| 19 years | $7,541 |
| 21 years | $10,093 |
| 23 years | $12,646 |
| 25 years | $15,199 |
Top Solar Installers in Cotulla
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to use a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Because solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Cotulla, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Cotulla
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cotulla
The cost of installing a solar system in Cotulla can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Cotulla, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,330 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cotulla to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s important to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Cotulla, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater 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 discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $16,053 | 11.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $21,778 | 11.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $27,688 | 11.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $33,785 | 11.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $40,069 | 11.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $46,539 | 10.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $53,195 | 10.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $60,038 | 10.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
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 Cotulla, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Cotulla?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $16,650 for a 5-kW system and $33,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Cotulla?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it commonly 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
How will having solar panels impact my property value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Cotulla is currently $96,855, which means you can look forward to a value of about $3,971 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Cotulla is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in Cotulla?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 larger amount 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.