Are solar panels a good investment in Houston? For many H-Town residents and businesses, the answer is yes. According to US climate data, Houston receives 2,633 hours of sunlight per year, an average of 7 hours per day. This means that Houston's solar panels have the potential to generate more power.
Hurricanes and windstorms sometimes overwhelm Houston's energy infrastructure, causing many Houstonians to look for ways to increase their energy independence during a power outage.
Houstonians are turning to solar power to lower their monthly electricity bills. The US Energy Information Administration estimated the average electric bill in Texas to be $150.56, about $13 above the national average of $137.70. Due to high energy consumption and high electricity prices, investing in solar panels may be the right solution for you.
solar panel cost in houston
Solar panel costs in Houston vary from home to home based on the size of the solar panel and the electricity usage of the individual home. Texas data from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Solar Monitoring Report helps us estimate what Houstonians will pay for solar panels. Additionally, Houston Solar Incentives are available to reduce the overall cost of home solar panels. Current incentives include a 30% federal solar tax credit, net metering benefits from Houston electricity providers, and more.
Texas Solar System Statistics
| | System size (kw) | price per watt | total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| up | 10.2 | $4.01 | $41,052 |
| average | 7.4 | $3.80 | $28,888 |
| less | 5.4 | $3.23 | $17,293 |
Texas is different from the rest of the United States
| | System size (kw) | price per watt | installed cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEXAS | 7.4 kilowatts | $3.80 | $28,888 |
| at the national level | 7.6 kilowatts | $3.67 | $26,882 |
Solar Financing Options for Houstonians
Houston solar panel systems are generally priced with one of the following options: Each payment method has advantages and disadvantages that homeowners should consider.
- Cash : No interest, but must be paid in advance.
- Solar loans: You can pay it back over time, but interest can accrue
- Solar Rent: Fixed monthly payment, but not eligible to claim certain incentives and discounts.
- Power Purchase Agreements – Home maintenance is not trivial, but it takes a long time to see a return on investment.
Solar and cash loans are very helpful for homeowners who want a quick return on their solar investment. Solar leases and PPA technologies are best for residents who can't afford the down payment and don't qualify for large loans.
Advertiser Disclosure: SaveOnEnergy , co-founded by CNET, helps you find the right energy for your home. SaveOnEnergy Market helps you find, compare, reserve and save the right energy for your home, all for free. If you are interested in solar energy, please answer a few questions to get an accurate quote from our solar consultants.
Incentives and rebates on solar panels in Houston
Homeowners looking to install solar panels can view Houston's incentive and discount scheme below. The most popular and profitable incentive is the residential clean energy credit. Between 2022 and 2032, homeowners who pay cash or take advantage of solar loans can receive a 30% credit on their income taxes for the cost of installing solar panels. Formerly known as the investment tax credit, the benefit could save Houstonians about $8,500 compared to the $28,888 cost of the Texas solar system . A licensed solar installer can help identify other local benefits available through your electric service provider or county and city governments.
Some incentives from the Houston Sun
| EVENTS | Press release |
|---|---|
| Energy Saving Real Estate Loans | EEM estimates the value of future utility savings to obtain the best financing for the borrower. Financing terms can include larger loan amounts, lower interest rates, and more. |
| Green Mountain Renewable Energy Awards Program | Green Mountain Energy offers solar homeowners a bill credit when they connect to the grid with systems under 50 kW. |
| net metering software | Houston electricity providers often offer net metering programs for solar homeowners. Net metering sells excess power back to the grid to credit electricity bills. Contact your electric service provider to see if there is a net metering program |
| Renewable energy is exempt from property taxes | Houston residents are exempt from property tax increases that result from the installation of solar panel systems. Residents can apply on Form 50-123 |
| Clean Energy Residential Loans | Houstonians can apply for clean energy credits. This 30% tax credit is available through 2032. IRS Form 5695 must be filed. |
| TXU Energy buys solar energy for the home | The TXU Solar Purchase Program offers electricity bill credits to solar system owners who return excess energy to the grid. |
Houston Solar Corporation
There are hundreds of solar panel installers for Houston residents and businesses, but choosing the best installer takes research and planning. Here are five solar panel companies in Houston that we've included in our picks for the best solar companies based on customer data and buying trends.
solar TDA
ADT Solar, a division of ADT Securities, was known as SunPro Solar before it was acquired by ADT in 2021. Based in Florida, this solar panel company offers high-quality monocrystalline solar panels backed by a 25-year warranty. Solar battery options include Tesla Powerwall and Enface IQ. ADT Solar was ranked second on Solar Power World magazine's list of the best residential solar installers in 2021.
no saw palmetto
Founded in 2010, Palmetto Solar is located in South Carolina and offers its customers solar panels and monocrystalline solar cells. Palmetto prides itself on its "total solar service" capability by helping customers through every step of the solar process, which is why the company was named a "Most Considered Solar Contractor" for 2022 by Solar Power World.
solar energy solar
Since 1985, SunPower and its sister company Maxon have provided solar panel installations, including high-efficiency residential solar panels. The California-based company offers a 25-year system warranty and a 10-year battery warranty, as well as a variety of financing options. Due to its sustainable practices, the company received the PV Magazine Sustainability Award in 2019.
Sun
Budget-conscious solar customers can turn to Sunrun for solar leases and PPAs. While other solar companies try to promote financing or credit options, Sunrun customers typically pay a monthly fee and the company takes over the solar grid. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in California, Sunrun's rapid growth and acquisition of Vivint Solar in 2020 have made it the largest solar company in the United States. Sunrun has won many awards for cleantech innovation, including the 2014 Global Cleantech Award and the 2010 Green Energy Leadership Award.
solar tesla
Popular electric vehicle brand Tesla entered the solar panel market in 2016. The Texas-based company is known for its Powerwall and rooftop solar batteries, offering 25 years of panel performance, a 10-year full system warranty and 10 solar panels with high efficiency. One year battery warranty. Tesla's price transparency, online offers and referral bonuses responded favorably to the company's early disputes with shareholders and allegations of price discrepancies.
Fixation factors must be taken into account.
Many factors contribute to the decision to invest in solar energy to achieve greater energy independence. Is sunlight good for you? Consider these solar installation, ownership, and maintenance factors to make the best decision.
| BECAUSE | the details |
|---|---|
| HOA Rules | HOAs cannot ban solar panels in Houston due to the Texas Solar Right of Way law, but the neighborhood you live in may have rules about solar panel placement or aesthetics. Check your HOA to see if there are any restrictions. |
| home insurance | Adding solar panels to your home can increase your home security, but it's important to justify your investment. Talk to your home insurance company beforehand to see how adding solar panels will affect your coverage. |
| home environment | Solar power draws energy from the sun, so sunlight is essential for effective communication. Although the panels can still generate power in cool or shaded areas, the high coverage is not good. |
| Owner or tenant | If you are renting, ask your landlord if they have permission to install solar on your home. If not, you can consider community solar programs like Arcadia for Solar Action and maybe see savings on your electric bill. |
| roof condition | When creating a starting solar panel price, reliable solar installers will check the quality and lifespan of the roof to include any necessary repairs. The size and slope of the roof will also affect the number of solar panels needed, which will affect the productivity of the solar array. |
Houston Solar FAQs
Do new homes in Houston need solar panels?
No. New homes in Houston are not required to have solar panels. However, as of April 2021, all new homes are subject to Houston's solar availability provisions. According to the Houston Chronicle, the availability of solar power means "developers need to factor installation capacity into their plans."
How much solar energy do I need to power a house in Houston?
The amount of solar energy needed to run the house depends on the size of the house and the energy consumption. Large Houston homes, especially those with pools or saunas, require more energy than the average home to run the entire house. The average size of the Texas Solar System is 7.4 kilowatts.
Look at your electricity bill from the last 12 months to see how much energy your home uses in a year. Past utility bills are available online at your electricity provider's website and will tell you how many kilowatt-hours you've used each month. You can find the average kWh usage in your home by adding the kWh per month over the last year and dividing by 12, then plotting the correct solar array. A licensed solar installer will do this part for you. During a power outage, a solar battery can temporarily keep essential services running. Since solar panels must be connected to the grid, they do not provide electricity during blackouts without solar batteries.
What are the best solar panel companies in Houston?
ADT Solar, Palmetto, Sunrun, SunPower and Tesla Solar are five well-regarded solar companies serving the Houston area. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there are more than 500 solar panel companies in Texas, so choosing the best company depends on the features you want in a solar stabilizer. Homeowners looking for low start-up costs can find Sunrun a perfect option. Those looking for a practical solar installation can choose a company like Palmetto that takes care of all the little details. Solar customers who prefer an older brand with a long history in the solar industry may want to consider ADT Solar or SunPower.
