Josephine NesbitContributing Writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Apr. 22, 2024
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Homefront Local uses a unique algorithm to score solar companies based on important factors like user reviews and how popular they are in your area.
To perform a high-quality solar panel installation in New Braunfels, Texas, you'll need to find a properly certified, skilled and experienced solar installer. We've put together a list of the best solar companies in New Braunfels to help you select the right one.
Before choosing an installer, request referrals, evaluate potential installers and request multiple quotes to find the right company for your requirements. You can choose a local solar company in New Braunfels or decide on an established national brand.
While solar panels are a significant upfront investment, you can reduce your energy bills over the long run. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that moving to solar energy lets New Braunfels homeowners to save an average of $1,400 per year.
Many solar companies provide different products. Be sure to look at each company and get quotes from all before scheduling your solar panel installation.
When evaluating New Braunfels solar companies, look for those with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on sites like Google Reviews and similar platforms, as well as a good reputation on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Look at reviews to understand other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and watch for consistent bad reviews.
New Braunfels and the nearby areas get plenty of sunlight, which allows homeowners to take advantage of solar energy. Here are the biggest reasons for switching to solar power:
According to the results of our survey carried out in October 2023, the median cost for solar panel installation nationally is $11,743.
The price of installing solar panels varies based on several factors, including your location, sunlight access, roof direction, shading, system size and labor. Be ready to pay extra if you pick any accessories like batteries, animal guards or solar trackers.
According to data from the EIA, NASA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), installing solar panels in New Braunfels averages around $17,547.
Solar panel installation is a major initial investment, but you can expect to see major savings reflected in your energy bills with time.
In New Braunfels, you can expect to save money once you've transitioned fully to solar. But it takes time to make back the upfront costs, and factors like precipitation and tree coverage impact how soon you'll get a return on your solar investment.
In addition to monetary savings, moving to solar energy lowers your carbon footprint and environmental impact. We've calculated the approximated CO2 emission reductions you can realize by going solar based on data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Homeowners in New Braunfels can enjoy several solar incentives. A few are available statewide for all Texas residents, and others depend on your municipality, utility company and city.
Per the DSIRE, these are the solar incentives available for Texas residents:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption | 100% |
Rebate Program Texas Gas Service - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Free Equipment Program: Free appliance installation and weatherization services Home Improvement (includes attic insulation, duct sealing, duct insulation, duct replacement, high-efficiency gas furnace, and Wi-Fi thermostat: Up to $1000 Solar Water Heater With Natural Gas Backup: $750 Tankless or Super High-efficiency Water Heater: $650 Furnace: $675 Furnace Tune-Up: $40 Natural Gas Dryer with moisture sensor: $225 Natural Gas Dryer Stub: $300 |
Rebate Program CPS Energy - Solar PV Rebate Program | First $9 million will pay a flat rebate of $2,500 per project, plus $500 for locally-produced panels Next $5 million will pay a flat rebate of $1,500 per project, plus $500 for locally-produced panels Commercial: $1 million will pay $0.60/Watt, plus an additional $0.10/Watt for locally-produced panels |
Rebate Program Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs | Duct System Replacement: 20% of project cost up to $500 Windows: $2/sq. ft. Heat Pump Water Heater: $300/unit Heat Pumps/Cooling System: $550-$650/unit (depending on efficiency) Attic/Wall Insulation: $0.20/sq. ft. of installed insulation Solar PV Electrical System: $0.75/Watt Solar Water Heater: $1,000/unit Window Solar Screens and/or Film: $0.50/sq. ft. of window New Home Rebate: $3,200 |
Rebate Program Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative - Renewable Energy Rebates | PV: $0.75/watt Solar Water Heaters: $1,000/unit Solar Water Wells: $750/unit |
Rebate Program CPS Energy - Solar Hot Water Rebate Program | $0.60 per kWh saved annually (conventional 50-gallon electric water heater) |
Rebate Program Pedernales Electric Cooperative - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Central AC: $250/unit Heat Pump: $250/unit Ground Source Heat Pump: $250/Ton Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $250 |
Rebate Program New Braunfels Utilities - Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Rebate Programs | Split System AC & Heat Pump: $250 - $500 Package Unit AC & Heat Pump: $250 - $500 LED Exit Signs: $20 per unit installed, capped at $100 A/C Checkup: $40 Washing Machine: $100 Drought Tolerant Tree: $25 for one tree. Irrigation Zone Removal: $200/zone, additional $100 if all zones are removed Rain Barrel/Cistern: $0.50/gallon Drought Tolerant Landscape: $0.50/sq. ft. Toilet/Urinal: $50 - $75 Mulch: $12.50/cubic yard installed Artificial Turf: $2.00/sq. ft. Solar PV: $0.45 - $0.50/watt |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
Take time to think through these questions prior to hiring a solar installation service provider.
Your household's energy use and the solar system's production ratio influence the appropriate panel system size for you. Bigger residences tend to use more power and will potentially need larger solar installations. An undersized system risks inadequate energy generation to fully power your home.
Your solar plans may be impacted by certain regulatory requirements and state or local regulations. You must acquire proper permits through your local building department and coordinate an inspection.
Not every house gets the same sun exposure. Trees, rainfall and extreme weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks adequate sunlight, you may need more panels with increased wattage.
To store additional energy, a lot of panel systems come equipped with a solar battery. This feature becomes critical when sunlight is scarce and helps to prevent power loss. However, adding battery storage can result in higher installation costs.
There are several solar panel types available, with differences in efficiency, life expectancy and design. These aspects impact not just the cost, but also how often panels will need to be replaced and the space needed on your roof.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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