Solar Panel Cost Guide in Highland Park, TX (2024 Update)
- Highland Park Solar Installation Cost: $17,930
- 25-Year Savings: $22,704
- Payback Period: 12.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Highland Park
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Highland Park.
In Highland Park, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Highland Park, most homeowners require a 7.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,930, or $25,640 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 equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $19,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Highland Park find going solar has a decent ROI.
To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar installation company in Highland Park, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Highland Park
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,509 |
| 3 years | $-13,667 |
| 5 years | $-10,825 |
| 7 years | $-7,983 |
| 9 years | $-5,141 |
| 11 years | $-2,299 |
| 13 years | $544 |
| 15 years | $3,386 |
| 17 years | $6,228 |
| 19 years | $9,070 |
| 21 years | $11,912 |
| 23 years | $14,754 |
| 25 years | $17,597 |
Top Solar Installers in Highland Park
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it involves extra effort and handiness. Because of that, the majority of homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Another upside of working with a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your ROI by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are a number of 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 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 Highland Park
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Highland Park
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Highland Park: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Highland Park average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Highland Park, which can lower, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Highland Park, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to 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 | $3.46 | $14,545 | $14,461 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $19,655 | 12.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $25,035 | 12.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $30,601 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $36,354 | 11.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $42,294 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $48,419 | 11.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $54,732 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 Highland Park, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Highland Park?
The average cost of solar panels in Highland Park 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 like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Highland Park?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
How will installing 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 Highland Park is currently $2,480,921, so you can look forward to a value of about $101,718 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Highland Park is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in Highland Park?
Although 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 after having 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.