Solar Panel Cost Guide in Stephenville, TX (2024 Update)
- Stephenville Solar Installation Cost: $17,378
- 25-Year Savings: $12,553
- Payback Period: 14.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Stephenville
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Stephenville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Stephenville it’s 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Stephenville is around 7.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,378 for a solar installation, or $24,851 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in Stephenville based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Even with the significant upfront cost, the average Stephenville homeowner can save around $15,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Stephenville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,180 |
| 3 years | $-13,786 |
| 5 years | $-11,391 |
| 7 years | $-8,997 |
| 9 years | $-6,603 |
| 11 years | $-4,208 |
| 13 years | $-1,814 |
| 15 years | $581 |
| 17 years | $2,975 |
| 19 years | $5,369 |
| 21 years | $7,764 |
| 23 years | $10,158 |
| 25 years | $12,553 |
Top Solar Installers in Stephenville
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Going with an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar installers provide can be useful as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers 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 Stephenville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Stephenville
For many Stephenville homeowners, the decision to go solar comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Stephenville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,330 per kilowatt in Stephenville.The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Stephenville offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s vital to take that into consideration as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Stephenville, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car 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 | $9,494 | 15.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $13,032 | 14.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $16,756 | 14.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $20,667 | 14.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $24,764 | 14.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $29,048 | 13.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $33,518 | 13.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $38,175 | 13.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, including:
- Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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 Stephenville, TX Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Stephenville?
This is a tough 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. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 higher 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.