How Much Money Does It Cost To Go Solar In Texas?

Texas is the second biggest state in the country with a population of approximately 28 million people, and it has been one of the top 10 solar states since 2017.  That's when the number of homes in Texas powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) systems approached 225,726, with a total solar investment of $3,223.34 million. With 1,200 cities in Texas, the five largest each have more than 800,000 residents who frequently see solar energy as a benefit. Solar prices have also dropped by 53% in the past 5 years, making the connection of PV systems more affordable.

Texan Cities And Solar

Solar system expense in the five biggest cities of Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Fort Worth for a common 6kw system is relatively similar before local incentives can extend from $10,900 to $14,000 after incentives. This compares well with the national average expense of $13,188 for solar a system.

Residential solar systems average 6 kilowatts in size, with a starting expense of $17,000 to $18,000 before applying tax rebates and other incentives. You can calculate the price for your residential address using this online calculator.

Solar Incentives

The Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) prepares for you to qualify for a tax credit of 30% of the price of a solar PV system. This includes labor prices as well as equipment. At the state level, the method you install could qualify for an exemption in property taxes. Homeowners in all major cities can take benefit of these incentives, and the 30% ITC or Residential Renewable Tax Credit is untouched by state-level incentives homeowners are eligible to receive.

Austin Solar

Statistics for Q3 2017 reveal Austin Energy currently supports almost 6,300 residential solar systems, as well as multiple commercial, municipal and school plans. The City of Austin offers a residential solar rebate program, which requires homeowners to complete a solar education course developed by installation of a qualifying solar photovoltaic (PV) system in your home. This earns you a $2,500 rebate, while the course benefits you get the knowledge you need to make an informed decision, decrease your power bills and better the environment.

Houston Solar

The average price of a PV system in Houston in 2018 is $3.56 per watt. Based on the various common system size of 6 kilowatts, this works out to $17,800 before incentives. In addition to the ITC, Reliant, TXU, Amigo Energy and Green Mountain Power all provide net metering credits for any extra solar power produced and exported to the grid. Reliant and Green Mountain also offer rebates of up to $4,500 for the installation of available systems.  

Dallas Solar

Dallas still has vast tracts of farmland, and one of the incentives available is an annual discount of up to $1,000 for energy-efficient upgrades for members of the Farmers Electric Cooperative. The rebate is given in the year of installation, as long as conditions are met.

Oncor also provides incentives through participating service providers in its area, which offset the initial cost to customers. These programs run from January through November each year, but the 2018 plan is already fully subscribed. Interested residents can apply to join the waitlist, nevertheless.

San Antonio Solar

San Antonio citizens who are CPS Energy customers can take advantage of $15 million allocated for solar rebates starting in April 2018. Of this, $9 million was earmarked for residential systems and $6 million for commercial installations, given they use locally-manufactured components. The rebate is capped at 50% of the total cost, as well as being limited to $25,000 for residential systems and $80,000 for industrial installations.

Hopefully, this article can inform our Lonestar State consumers in their efforts to get into the solar revolution.  Here at HahaSmart, we are ready to help, from installations to low-cost panels, we got you.

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