San Antonio holds the 5th spot in the Top US Cities for Solar Energy and is recognized as the top city in Texas, its home state. These recognitions show that their abundant sunny days totaling 250 a year are put to good use. The use of solar panels in San Antonio has provided residents with clean and renewable energy.
How much does solar system installation cost in San Antonio?
Based on 2023 data, the average per watt cost in San Antonio is $2.77.
So if you’re thinking of installing solar panels in your San Antonio home or business, you need to shell out $12,093 for a typical 6 kW system (6000 watts). It is already the net cost after deducting the relevant solar tax credit.
This Texas city’s average cost per watt is lower than the $3.00 per watt average among residential solar power systems across the nation.
The installation cost depends on several factors. One of which includes the size of the solar panel. Larger solar installations usually cost less per watt since you can purchase panels at a discounted bulk price. However, if you look at the bigger picture, a more extensive solar system will have a higher total cost since it is composed of more individual panels.
What other factors affect the cost of solar power systems?
Installation fees and the equipment used aren’t the only factors contributing to solar power systems’ overall cost. Permits and installation costs may fluctuate from time to time. The type of panel used can also affect the price you need to pay for your solar system.
There are two major types of solar panels used in residential installations-polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Polycrystalline may cost less, but it has a lower efficiency rating.
On the other hand, monocrystalline panels may have a higher price point, but they are more efficient. In addition, the type of inverter that you will use also influences the total amount you will spend on your solar system.
Are there incentives and tax rebates for solar installations in San Antonio?
Yes, San Antonio has incentives and tax rebates for solar installations. Using solar energy in your home or business has many benefits. The abundance of the Texas sun makes it a more worthwhile endeavor. The national and local government also provides incentives and rebates to help you start your clean and renewable energy journey. Read on to explore the incentives that are available to you when you choose to go solar.
Federal Incentive
Thanks to the new amendments, those who decide to have their solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032 will benefit from a tax cut of 30% on the total installation expenses. It’s worth noting that in 2033, this tax reduction will taper off to 26% and further decline to 22% in 2034. As it stands, there won’t be any tax credits from 2035 onwards unless there are additional changes to the legislation.
The chart below shows the average installation cost of residential solar systems sorted by size.
| Size | Cost per Watt | Cost after 30% Tax Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $2.98 | $8,833 |
| 5 kW | $2.86 | $10,464 |
| 6 kW | $2.78 | $12,298 |
| 7 kW | $2.74 | $14,277 |
| 8 kW | $2.80 | $16,548 |
| 9 kW | $2.72 | $18,084 |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $19,868 |
Local Incentives
While Texas doesn’t offer a statewide solar tax credit, most local utilities have incentive programs for going solar. Homeowners or business owners need to go through an application process, but solar installers can help you.
The local utility company for San Antonio is CPS Energy. Residential and commercial projects that will go solar will receive the following upfront rebates:
- Residential projects – the flat incentive rate is $2,500 per project, but it will drop to $1500 when the current funding budget has been depleted.
- Commercial projects – the rebate is $0.60 per watt, capped at $80,000.
It is important to note that the funds for both projects are limited and are only available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Net Metering
Not all solar energy utility companies offer net metering. Luckily San Antonio’s CPS Energy provides this service without maximum system size or aggregate capacity limit. They also do not impose any facilities charges or commissioning fees for their customers.
Top 6 Local Solar Companies in San Antonio
Solar system installations in San Antonio can be a smooth process if you employ the services of the following local solar companies.
1. Atma Energy
Atma Energy is a technology-driven energy solutions company that provides turnkey solar services. They focus on providing residential, commercial, and utility customers with high-quality installations that result in bill savings and clean energy for many years. The company believes in revolutionizing engineering to provide the best energy storage and solar panel systems.
Location:1430 N Flores St Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78212
Contact: 210-247-2862
2. Freedom Solar
Since 2007, Freedom Solar has been installing some of the largest solar projects in Texas. It prides itself as a leading installer of photovoltaic panels to residential, institutional, and commercial establishments. This solar company has installed over 67 megawatts of panels for homes and companies such as Office Depot, Whole Foods, and the University of Texas.
Location: 12861 Wetmore Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247
Contact: 210-361-2883
3. Texas Engineered (TXEN) Solar
Certified veteran-owned Texas Engineered Solar specializes in engineering, designing, and installing commercial and residential photovoltaic (PV) solar systems. It is a CPS-registered contractor that has 20 years of experience in the solar power industry. It employs experts in solar cell manufacturing, commercial and residential construction, and electrical engineering.
Location: 11710 Parliament St, San Antonio, TX 78213
Contact: 210-321-9368
4. Central Texas Solar and Lighting
Central Texas Solar & Lighting is a family-owned and operated solar contractor providing commercial and solar installation services for over 15 years. It aims to educate the San Antonio community about the benefits of renewable energy while assisting their client in maximizing their investments in solar power.
Location: 401 E Sonterra Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78258
Contact: 210-635-0007
5. IES Texas Solar
One of the largest electrical contractors in the US, IES Texas Solar maintains four offices in the lone star state, including San Antonio. It provides solar-powered PV systems and turnkey solutions to commercial and residential customers. The company has also partnered with National Homebuilders to provide exceptional service and support to their clients.
Location: 1731 S San Marcos, San Antonio, TX 78207
Contact: 210-651-8294
6. Alba Energy of San Antonio
Alba Energy brings decades of experience in providing integrated design, installation, and sales services to San Antonio residents. It serves commercial, industrial, and residential establishments. This investor-owned company guarantees professionalism and high-quality craftsmanship for every project.
Location: 1777 NE Interstate 410 Loop Suite 600, San Antonio, TX 78217
Contact: 210-571-0311
What are the factors to consider when installing solar panels?
Aside from the price range and quality of the solar panels, there are also other factors you need to consider before you start your solar project. We’ve rounded them up to help you decide if solar energy is perfect for you.
Local Climate
The optimal performance of solar panels depends on the adequacy of solar radiation. Luckily, San Antonio has more than 250 sunny days per year, making it a perfect sunlight coverage provider. The local climate offers solar users more leverage since they don’t have to rely on the primary grid for their energy supply.
Peak Sun Hours
Peak sun hours refer to the period in a day where the sun shines at full capacity. It doesn’t mean that an area is hotter; it only indicates that the sun shines longer. Places closer to the equator, like San Antonio, have the most peak hours.
According to National Renewable Energy Laboratory or NREL, the average global horizontal irradiance for San Antonio is 5.05 sun hours per square meter. This figure proves that San Antonio is ideal for solar panel installation since it is more than the US average of 4.9 hours per square meter.
Direction and Angle of the Solar Panel
The angle and direction of the solar panels have a significant contribution to the production of energy. It is crucial to take into account the average position of the sun and the varying seasons. For San Antonio, here are the following variations for solar panel tilting:
- Fixed tilt – 25.5 degrees for panels at a stationary angle
- Two-season tilt – 6.4 degrees during the summer and 45 degrees in the winter
- Four-season tilt – 2.8 degrees in summer, 50.2 degrees in the winter, and 26.6 degrees in spring and autumn.
- Orientation – facing south
Roof Design
You or your contractor will most likely install the solar panels on your roof, so you need to consider the roof pitch. If your roof has an inclination of 30 to 40 degrees, then the solar panels can lie flat on the roof to produce enough power.
For low angled roofs, you can use special racking systems to ensure that the panels are at the right angles. If you follow the inclination of this kind of roof, you will not get maximum energy production.
Summary
San Antonio is one of the top places for solar energy system installation. It enjoys an abundance of sunny days and optimal peak hours. Aside from these ideal components, it also has ample government financial support and high-quality contractors to help you get started with your solar-powered home or office.
