Best 5 Solar Companies in La Porte, TX

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in La Porte

The more comprehensive your company research is, the better your solar panels will ultimately work. Make your choice based on the following key factors.

Licensing and Training

All solar installers in Texas must have a state electrical contractors' license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners regulates plumbing regulations and licensing standards for solar thermal installers. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most prestigious are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, backed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in La Porte

The type of solar panels you select determines how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and give you the best performance but cost more upfront. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but they're worth it if you want a traditional panel style without the high cost. Thin-film panels aren't meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.

Additional system add-ons, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will increase your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar company offers these additional features, so look for a provider that sells them if it's important for you.

Generally speaking, it will cost about $16,650 for a five-kilowatt solar array in La Porte. This table displays more specific costs for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in La Porte

There are various ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), loans, cash payments, and leases. We advise paying with cash or securing a solar loan for the highest return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also own your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to reduce your total costs. Solar loans are another solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in monthly installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in particular circumstances. We advise working with a company that offers multiple financing options. Ask each representative about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in La Porte.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal solar tax credit on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. City and state governments and utilities might also offer their own incentives, financing programs, and rebates that could save you more money.