The location of your property in Texas, your energy needs, and your budget all play crucial roles in determining how much money you must spend to have solar power. Even when choosing between the best solar companies in the United States, you won’t need to break your budget to transition to clean energy in the Lone Star State.
4.4
Installs high-quality Maxeon panels
Outstanding customer support
Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Texas?
Solar panels are slightly more expensive in Texas than the national average. But the sheer number of solar-viable days should compensate for extra cost. The average cost of a complete solar system is around $13,600. That will run you approximately $2.72 per Watt.
| Solar Power System Size | Energy Use (per month) | House Size (sq ft) | Total Cost | Cost After the Federal ITC | Energy Savings (over 25 years, after system is paid off) |
| 9 kW | 900 kWh | 1,700 | $24,210 | $16,947 | $15,750 |
| 10 kW | 1,000 kWh | 1,900 | $26,900 | $18,830 | $17,500 |
| 11 kW | 1,100 kWh | 2,100 | $29,590 | $20,713 | $19,250 |
| 12 kW | 1,200 kWh | 2,300 | $32,280 | $22,596 | $21,000 |
| 13 kW | 1,300 kWh | 2,500 | $34,970 | $24,479 | $22,750 |
| 14 kW | 1,400 kWh | 2,700 | $37,660 | $26,362 | $24,500 |
| 15 kW | 1,500 kWh | 2,900 | $40,350 | $28,245 | $26,250 |
What Affects Texas Solar System Costs?
Several parts of a solar power system factor into its cost. The price can fluctuate by thousands of dollars depending on where you live in Texas, how you plan to finance the purchase, and how much electricity you hope to offset. We’ll review the biggest factors affecting solar prices and how they should affect your buying decisions.
Energy Needs
If your family depends on air conditioning running full blast or if your kids spend hours a day on gaming consoles, your current electricity bill will run a bit high. It’s not a stretch that if you have higher energy needs, you’ll need to purchase more or stronger solar panels than average to offset the costs. If you live with no kids in a single-family home in Dallas, you should buy fewer — or less powerful — solar panels. We recommend calculating your energy usage and determining how many kilowatt-hours you need to produce to offset your electric bill.
Energy Efficiency
If you have less roof size, you should look for monocrystalline panels with the highest energy efficiency on the market. While more expensive than their polycrystalline counterparts, monocrystalline panels give higher production in the long run.
Local Incentives
The solar incentives available in Texas can save you thousands — but unlike states like California, homeowner benefits change by region. Only certain Texas utility companies offer solar rebates or will buy excess energy. Before purchasing solar, check your local electricity company’s website to see if your area qualifies.
Featured Video: How Much Should You Expect to Pay for Solar in Texas?
Will You Be on the Hook for Any Other Solar Costs in Texas?
The high initial costs of solar panels in Texas are just the start of the decision to switch. While not as expensive as the equipment, you must jump through a few hurdles before your solar system is energized and operational. Here’s a list of some of the hidden costs of solar in Texas.
Inspections
The rates for an annual inspection can range from $140 to $200 — and can cost more if you must remove panels already in place. Plus, there’s usually a backlog with so many people buying solar installations. You may have to wait a few weeks to get on the inspection calendar.
Permits
Permit fees jump from $75 in Roanoke to $240 in Coppell. You’ll have to pay a permit fee no matter what, but how much depends on your county.
4.4
Installs high-quality Maxeon panels
Outstanding customer support
Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
What Should Texas Homeowners Expect to Pay for Routine Solar Panel Maintenance?
Maintenance costs for solar panel systems are better in Texas than in most states. With no regular and heavy snowfalls in the winter, you won’t have as much potential climate damage to repair. However, you never know when something will go wrong. These are the additional maintenance costs associated with solar panels in Texas.
Repairs
If your roof leaks or an inverter breaks, repair costs can run into the thousands. How much depends on the details of your warranty agreement with the solar provider and your panels’ manufacturer.
Animal Damage
Animal damage is not that common in Texas, but critters like squirrels, rats, and mice sometimes burrow under solar panels and build nests, chewing through important wires in the process. You can buy critter guards ahead of time to prevent this. If you don’t, you may pay for additional repairs later.
Tree Trimming
If tall trees branch over your property and block the sun, you may have to hire a professional tree trimmer to clear them away.
Cleaning
If you hire outside cleaners, you can count on an additional $200 each time you contact a service. This price will be less if you have fewer than 20 panels.
Is Texas a Good State for Solar Panel Costs?
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per Watt, slightly lower than the $2.72/W you see in Texas. But power usage per capita is low, so customers likely won’t need to buy as many panels. Plus, it’s critical to remember that electricity costs are rising in Texas relative to the rest of the country.
Texans are heavily dependent on natural gas, which has become scarcer and pricier in the past year, resulting in skyrocketing electricity rates. Even if installation costs in Texas run slightly higher than average, the savings from your system should more than make up the difference.
The Financing Option You Choose Will Impact Your Solar Savings in Texas
If you have the money saved, there’s no better way to buy a solar plan than through a cash purchase. The up-front costs are high, but 20 years later, you’ll have saved big on interest payments incorporated into loans. Plus, you’ll qualify for statewide tax benefits like Texas’ property tax exemption. If you’d rather pay over time, a solar loan will still transfer your system ownership, so you’ll qualify for tax credits and rebates.
You’ll never get ownership of your solar system through a solar lease, but your energy bills will be lower, and you won’t be responsible for maintaining your panels. Instead, a third party will own the solar panel system, and you’ll pay to use its energy.
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is like a lease, but your payments will depend on how much energy you use instead of paying a fixed rate each month. With these last two options, you’ll spend less on electricity, but you won’t qualify for any rebates, and you won’t be investing in your property. You’ll unlikely benefit from a higher property value, as these systems are much more difficult to transfer.
A company we love that offers an excellent financing option is Blue Raven Solar, giving you the best of both worlds. Its plan allows you to build toward full ownership without paying for the first 18 months of service. You’ll get all the rewards of offset energy costs before paying your first bill — and get the tax incentives that come with ownership.
| Financing Method | Total 25-Year Savings | Upfront Costs | Monthly Payments | Payback Period |
| Cash | 40,000 | 20,000 | 0 | 0 |
| Loan | 30,000 | 0 – 5,000 | $120 – $180 | 12 – 20 years |
| Lease | 5,000 | 0 | $100 – $150 | 20 – 25 years |
| PPA | 5,000 | 0 | Dependent on kWh | 10 – 20 years |
How Else Can Texas Homeowners Save Money When Going Solar?
You have many ways to squeeze even more savings out of your solar panel installation in Texas. If you pay attention to these guidelines, you’ll save big — especially if you live in an area where solar rebates are available.
Take Advantage of Texas Solar Incentives
No matter where you live in Texas, your property taxes won’t go up with the value of your home because of your new solar system. If you live in one of the cities that encourages reliance on renewable energy, you’ll make even more back. For example, Austin Energy has a solar buyback program that turns your excess energy into savings on your utility bill.
But you must own your solar energy system to qualify for federal and state tax credits. If you’re considering a solar lease but still want a 100% property tax exemption on your home, consider purchasing or loaning again.
Choose Solar Panels with a Low-Temperature Coefficient.
Counterintuitively, solar panels perform worse when the sun shines too brightly — so Texas’ heat can be a downside. Any temperature higher than 77 degrees is sub-optimal, and your energy efficiency will continue to plummet on days in the triple digits. To combat this, look for solar panels with monocrystalline solar cells. These have a lower temperature coefficient and work better in high temperatures. If you have the budget, panels with amorphous silicon and cadmium telluride will further mitigate high heat. You can also purchase larger solar panels to compensate for the lost efficiency — but we think it’s better to focus on quality than quantity in this scenario.
Position Your Panels to the South
Texans should place their solar power systems to the south, if possible. Variations of facing just 45 degrees away from the south will impact your production by almost 10%, making orientation a critical step in optimizing your solar output. Adjust the tilt angle to 28° if placing your panels on a flat surface.
Buy a Monitoring Display
Buying a system with a monitoring display is a great way to avoid unnecessary repair and maintenance costs. You’ll get up-to-date statistics on how much sun and shade each panel receives and on parts that aren’t functioning. To build upon this power, prioritize companies with strong customer reviews and manufacturer warranties in your search. Some installation companies have production guarantees — so if your energy levels slip, they’ll be financially responsible.
Use the Perks of the Texas Climate
Texas is one of the sunniest states in the country, so you should save significantly on your energy bill if you qualify for solar buybacks. To get the most out of your system, have areas on your property that are free from heavy shade.
How Much Do Texas’s Solar Installers Charge?
We’ve listed some of the best solar providers in Texas and their associated prices and ratings. While the strengths are varied, you can’t go wrong with any of these companies, and they’ll be able to cater to your budget.
| Solar Company | Superlative | TH Rating | BBB Rating | Average Cost |
| Blue Raven | Best Financing Options | 4.3 | A+ | $16,000 |
| SunPower | Highest Quality Panels | 4.4 | A+ | $26,000 |
| ADT Solar | Best Warranty Options | 4.4 | A+ | $18,000 |
| Momentum Solar | Best Customer Service | 3.9 | A+ | $22,500 |
| Sunrun | Best Protection Against Damage | 3.7 | A+ | $17,500 |
How Are Solar Costs and Regulations Trending in Texas?
While there’s been pushback against further subsidizing from the oil and gas industry in Texas, it looks like there’s no stopping solar. As electricity consumption has increased statewide, renewable energy sources like solar are stepping in to pick up the demand. Prices have dropped by more than 50% in the past decade. Plus, with only 2.3% of the state’s electricity powered by solar, there’s much room to grow.
Texas is showing the fastest growth of solar demand in the country. Solar consumers have also been gaining legal power — the Texas Solar Rights Act was passed and prohibits HOAs from preventing property owners from installing a solar energy system.
FAQs About Texas Solar Panel Costs
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Texas?
This number entirely depends on how much energy you need and how many benefits you qualify for. However, the average for the state is around $14,000 in total.
How Do You Pay for Solar Panels in Texas?
You can pay for solar panels in Texas in many ways, and it depends if you’d rather stare down a high up-front cost or years of monthly payments. There are good reasons to do both, so investigate how important it is to own your solar system or qualify for federal tax credits.
Is Going Solar Worth It in Texas?
You rarely have an opportunity to spend less on bills as you lower your carbon footprint. With one of the most solar-viable states in the country and lower maintenance costs than average, it’s a great time to invest in solar power in Texas.
