Solar Panel Cost Guide in Laredo, TX (2024 Update)
- Laredo Solar Installation Cost: $16,440
- 25-Year Savings: $29,138
- Payback Period: 9.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Laredo
We go over average solar pricing in Laredo.
In Laredo, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Laredo, most homeowners require a 7.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,440, or $23,509 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Laredo homeowners. The price 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 power is worth paying. On average homeowners in Laredo see about $23,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Laredo
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,924 |
| 3 years | $-11,893 |
| 5 years | $-8,862 |
| 7 years | $-5,830 |
| 9 years | $-2,799 |
| 11 years | $233 |
| 13 years | $3,264 |
| 15 years | $6,295 |
| 17 years | $9,327 |
| 19 years | $12,358 |
| 21 years | $15,390 |
| 23 years | $18,421 |
| 25 years | $21,452 |
Top Solar Installers in Laredo
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to go with a solar company since DIY solar panel installation can be a time-consuming project. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Laredo, therefore optimizing your ROI.
Working with a professional solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Laredo
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Laredo
The cost of installing a solar system in Laredo can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,330 per kilowatt in Laredo.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Laredo, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Laredo homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you choose will influence your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.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 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 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 | $21,541 | 10.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $29,094 | 9.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $36,833 | 9.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $44,759 | 9.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $52,872 | 9.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $61,171 | 9.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $69,657 | 8.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $78,329 | 8.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Laredo, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- 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.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Well-established companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
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 Laredo, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Laredo?
The average cost of solar panels in Laredo 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 things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Laredo?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my energy bills?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Laredo, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for 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?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.