Solar incentives in Texas

The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is the biggest factor in reducing the cost of going solar in Texas. If you install a residential solar panel system by the end of 2032, you can deduct 30% of the system’s total cost — including equipment, labor and permits — from your federal taxes. For example, for a $20,000 system, you can get a $6,000 credit to the amount of federal taxes you owe.

The ITC drops to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034.

A solar customer, Aria in Prosper, told ConsumerAffairs that the tax incentive was “one of the biggest selling points” of going solar. However, they pointed out that if you don't qualify because of other tax benefits, the deal is somewhat deceiving.

It’s important to note that the solar tax credit is not a rebate or refund. The credit goes toward the amount you owe in taxes. It applies when you file federal taxes in the year your solar panel system becomes operational. You won’t get a check in the mail.

The credit is also nonrefundable, so you won’t get a refund if your credit exceeds the amount you owe in federal taxes. The unused portion of your credit carries forward instead.

» MUST-KNOW: The tax benefits of owning a home: deductions and secrets

Regional solar incentives

You also might be able to take advantage of local and regional solar incentives throughout the state. For instance, Alex in Austin took advantage of the tax credit and got rebates from Freedom and Austin Energy.

What to know about net metering in Texas

Net metering is a billing structure that lets you earn credits for excess electricity your solar panels generate and feed back into the grid. It’s popular in many states, but Texas takes a somewhat unique approach due to its deregulated energy market.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas operates the state’s electrical grid, the Texas Interconnection, which supplies power to more than 26 million people (about 90% of the state’s electric load). ERCOT’s primary role is to keep the grid reliable as more distributed energy resources are integrated. It doesn't directly affect net metering policies for solar panel owners, but it does play a part in the larger context of integrating renewable resources like solar into Texas's electric grid.

Here's how net metering works in Texas:

• No statewide net metering policy: Unlike many states, Texas doesn’t have a statewide net metering policy. Instead, its energy market is largely deregulated, allowing individual utility companies to set their own policies.
• Utility-specific programs: Many Texas utilities offer some form of solar buyback program, but the specifics vary by company. Homeowners receive credits or compensation for the excess electricity they feed into the grid, but the rate at which they’re compensated varies.

  Some utilities might offer full retail rates, while others give a reduced or wholesale rate. For example, Rizwan in Katy said their solar buyback program “is a joke. They sell me energy at an exorbitant high rate like 17c/kW and buy the power that I generate from my solar panels for like 2c/kW!”

• Rollover credits: Some utilities let homeowners accrue rollover credits for excess generation. These credits can be used in months when solar generation is lower, essentially banking the excess energy for later use.
• Minimum bills: Some utilities charge a minimum monthly bill solar customers must pay regardless of how much energy they produce or consume. For example, Anthony in Center told us they live in “one of those areas where they do some buyback, but they won't take our bill down to zero. We still have a connection fee that we have to pay every month — no matter what.”
• Monitoring and switching providers: In the deregulated parts of Texas, you can choose your electricity provider. You might be able to switch providers to find a better deal if you aren’t satisfied with the agreement. However, be cautious about any early termination fees.
• Transition to time-of-use rates: A few Texas utilities are transitioning to time-of-use rates, which can affect how much solar homeowners earn from their panels. This structure charges (or credits) different rates based on when energy is used or generated, usually making energy more expensive during peak demand times.

Time-of-use rates in Texas

Your rate might change over time. For example, at first, Jerry in La Porta had a net metering contract that let him buy and sell kilowatt-hours at the same rate. “If I generated 200 and consumed 200, my net usage was zero, and my bill was essentially zero,” he said.

Jerry’s contract ended, and he had to renew it. “Now, I'm paying 21 cents a kilowatt-hour for usage, and I'm only getting back 10 cents a kilowatt-hour for anything I push back to the grid. There's another $40 a month service fee from the utility company as well,” he said. “So, the incentive isn't quite what it was a year ago. Still, it's a good value.”

» WATT'S THE DIFFERENCE? kW vs. kWh

How much Texans can save with solar panels

In Texas, solar panels typically pay for themselves in around 13 years, and the estimated net savings over 25 years is $21,350.

Many solar customers in Texas see significantly lower utility bills. For example, Don in San Antonio said their monthly electric bill went from around $250 down to $80.

Even if your solar power system doesn’t generate 100% of your power, you can still save money by not being fully dependent on traditional utilities. “I like that I have solar, but it's not entirely financially liberating,” Christopher in Pflugerville told us. “The energy I produce covers the cost of the electricity itself on my bills, but there is also a delivery fee that I wasn't entirely aware of how that was billed, which I still pay.”

» EXPLORE: What are grid-tied solar systems?

Solar resources in Texas

Below are some additional resources that can guide you through transitioning to solar in Texas.

• Texas PUC
• Texas Renewable Electricity Profile (EIA)
• TX State Solar Policy (SEIA)
• LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Program
• TNMP Commercial Solutions
• AEP 2023 SMART Source Solar PV Program Guidebook
• Oncor Residential Solar Program 
• Oncor Commercial Delivery Standard Offer
• Texas Comptroller Solar and Wind-Powered Energy Device Exemption Guidelines
• Texas Solar United Neighbors

» GUIDE: Solar panel installation

Find solar companies in Texas

Compare popular solar companies available in Texas below. Some, like Freedom Solar, have referral programs — Haojun in Houston got a $500 gift card referring a friend. Read our guide to finding the best solar companies for more.

Bottom line: How much are solar panels in Texas?

The average cost to install solar panels is $21,654 in Texas after the federal solar investment tax credit ($30,934 before the tax credit). Your total solar panel price tag also depends on the size of your system, the type of panels you install and other factors.

Texas is a big state. The state's deregulated nature offers a lot of choices, but it also means you have to be proactive in managing and understanding your energy agreements.

See the table below — the ConsumerAffairs research team conducted an in-depth analysis to determine how much it costs to go solar in Texas and the average solar costs in other states.

Solar costs: Texas vs. nearby states