Solar panels in Texas cost roughly $2.25 to $2.90 per watt installed before incentives, which puts a typical 7 to 10 kW home system at about $16,800 to $29,000. Larger homes with heavy air conditioning use often need bigger systems, so the total can run higher. The 30 percent federal residential tax credit expired at the end of 2025 for homeowners who pay with cash or a loan, so the price on your quote now matters more than ever. This guide covers cost by system size, what Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin homeowners can expect, and which Texas incentives still lower your bill.
Quick answer
- Cost per watt: About $2.25 (marketplace average) to $2.90 (upper end of Axia’s typical Texas range).
- Typical total: About $16,800 to $29,000 for 7 to 10 kW, before incentives.
- Federal credit: Expired for cash and loan purchases after 2025.
- Texas incentives: A statewide property tax exemption, plus local utility programs that vary by city.
Texas Solar Panel Cost at a Glance
Two numbers anchor every Texas quote: the price per watt and the system size. Everything else is a variation on those. The table below compares marketplace data with Axia’s typical range.
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average installed cost per watt | $2.25 | EnergySage Texas data (updated October 2, 2026) |
| Axia typical installed range | $2.40 to $2.90 per watt | Axia Solar Estimate |
| Average system size in marketplace quotes | 13.02 kW | EnergySage Texas data |
| Average marketplace system price, before incentives | $29,302 (range $24,907 to $33,697) | EnergySage Texas data |
| Common home system size | 7 to 10 kW | Axia Solar Estimate |
The per-watt figures differ because they come from different quote pools and equipment mixes. Use the per-watt price, not the total, to compare quotes. For context against other markets, see how much solar panels cost by state.
Solar Panel Cost in Texas by System Size
Price scales with capacity, so size is the first thing to check before judging a number. The table multiplies each size by the per-watt figures above.
| System size | Axia typical range ($2.40 to $2.90 per watt) | Marketplace average ($2.25 per watt) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $12,000 to $14,500 | $11,250 |
| 6 kW | $14,400 to $17,400 | $13,499 |
| 7 kW | $16,800 to $20,300 | $15,749 |
| 8 kW | $19,200 to $23,200 | $17,999 |
| 10 kW | $24,000 to $29,000 | $22,499 |
Marketplace figures come from EnergySage’s Texas size table. All figures are before incentives and exclude batteries.
A simple Texas solar cost calculator
You can estimate your own cost in three steps:
- Multiply your system size in kilowatts by 1,000 to get watts.
- Multiply by your price per watt.
- Add any battery, panel upgrade, or roof work, then subtract incentives.
| Example | Math | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 9 kW at $2.40 per watt | 9,000 x $2.40 | $21,600 |
| 9 kW at $2.90 per watt | 9,000 x $2.90 | $26,100 |
| Add a battery | Roughly $10,000 to $16,000 | $31,600 to $42,100 combined |
For a firmer figure based on your own address and bills, use the Axia solar calculator. To size the system first, read how big a solar system you need in Texas.
Solar Panel Cost in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin
The per-watt price is similar across the major Texas metros because they share a labor and equipment market. What changes is your utility, your buyback plan, and the local incentive. The cost shown below is for an 8 to 10 kW system at Axia’s typical range.
| Metro | Utility market | Typical cost before incentives | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | CenterPoint delivers power; you choose a retail provider | $19,200 to $29,000 | Your retail provider’s solar buyback plan |
| Dallas and Fort Worth | Mostly Oncor delivery territory; retail choice | $19,200 to $29,000 | Buyback plan and any open Oncor solar program |
| San Antonio | CPS Energy (municipal) | $19,200 to $29,000 | CPS no longer offers its general residential solar rebate |
| Austin | Austin Energy (municipal) | $19,200 to $29,000 | Austin Energy’s rebate and Value of Solar credit |
Solar panels in Houston
Houston sits in the deregulated retail market. Installed costs track the statewide range, and the bigger variable is which retail electricity provider you use, since buyback plans for exported power differ widely.
Solar panels in Dallas
Homes across the Dallas and Fort Worth area are mostly in Oncor delivery territory. As in Houston, your retail provider and its buyback terms strongly affect long-term savings. Oncor’s Take a Load Off Texas program has offered residential solar incentives at times, so confirm whether one is open before you plan around it.
Solar panels in San Antonio
CPS Energy announced that its general residential solar rebate ended on December 16, 2022, and that rebates would remain for small businesses, nonprofits, and schools. CPS also said future residential options would target low-to-moderate income customers. See the CPS Energy announcement and confirm current programs with the utility.
Solar panels in Austin
Austin Energy raised its residential solar rebate to $4,000 for eligible systems and still credits solar production through its Value of Solar rate, according to its own Austin Energy solar rebate update. Rules such as pre-approval and participating contractors apply, so check them before you sign.
What Drives Solar Cost in Texas
Within any metro, several factors move a quote up or down.
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| System size | Larger arrays cost more in total, even at a normal per-watt price |
| Roof type and access | Steep, multi-plane, or tile roofs add labor and hardware |
| Shade | May require optimizers or microinverters, which add cost |
| Equipment | Higher efficiency panels and premium inverters cost more up front |
| Installer | In-house crews and subcontracted sales models price differently |
| Battery | The largest single add-on, often $10,000 to $16,000 |
| Permits and interconnection | Vary by city and utility |
Why Texas homes often need bigger systems
- Summer air conditioning drives high usage from May through September.
- Larger homes consume more electricity than the national average.
- A bigger array costs more in absolute dollars even when the price per watt is fair.
Compare cost per watt first and total dollars second. A $26,000 quote is not expensive if it is a 10 kW array at a fair rate, and a $16,000 quote is not a bargain if it leaves you undersized. See everything that determines your solar estimate for how each factor lands on the page.
Texas Solar Incentives in 2026
Texas has no statewide solar rebate and no state income tax credit. Incentives come from the property tax code and from local utilities.
| Incentive | Status in 2026 | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Federal residential clean energy credit (30%) | Expired for cash and loan purchases after 2025 | Budget without it |
| Texas property tax exemption | Active statewide | The value solar adds to your home is exempt from property tax |
| Austin Energy rebate | Raised to $4,000 for eligible systems | Stacks with Value of Solar bill credits |
| CPS Energy residential rebate | General residential program ended December 2022 | Not available to most San Antonio homeowners |
| Oncor Take a Load Off Texas | Programs open and close | Confirm availability for your address |
The federal credit has ended
The 30 percent federal credit no longer applies to homeowners who buy with cash or a loan. EnergySage notes that lease and rent-to-own providers can still claim a version of the credit and may pass savings on, so compare those offers carefully against buying.
The Texas property tax exemption
Solar raises your home’s value, and without an exemption, that would raise your property tax. Texas exempts the added value, so you keep the resale gain without the annual tax cost. The Texas Comptroller lists it among the state’s property tax exemptions. Ask your county appraisal district how to claim it. To compare other states, see solar rebates by state.
Confirm before you sign. Local programs are funded in rounds and can change or close. Check the current terms with your utility.
Battery Cost and the Texas Grid
More Texas homeowners are adding storage because the ERCOT grid has faced strain during extreme heat and winter storms. A battery can keep essentials running during an outage and let you use midday solar in the expensive evening hours.
- Added cost: Roughly $10,000 to $16,000 depending on capacity.
- Best fit: Homes that want backup power or that face weak buyback plans.
- Trade-off: It raises the total price, so weigh resilience against the added spend.
Learn more about how solar panels work during a power outage and solar battery storage 101.
Payback, Savings, and How to Pay for Solar in Texas
EnergySage’s Texas data models a 13.02 kW system at $29,302 and an average Texas electric bill of about $240 per month. On those assumptions, a cash purchase pays back in about 12.8 years and saves about $37,882 over 25 years. Financing changes the picture.
| Payment option | Cost to start | Estimated 25-year savings |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | $29,302 up front | $37,882 |
| Loan | About $241 per month | $3,358 |
| Power purchase agreement | About $163 per month | $17,795 |
| Solar lease | About $163 per month | Negative $3,978 |
These are marketplace estimates for an average system, not a quote. Ownership options keep the home value gain and the property tax exemption. Compare them when buying vs. leasing vs. financing solar.
How to Get an Accurate Texas Solar Estimate
The ranges here are a reality check, not a quote. Your real number depends on your roof, your utility, and how much summer cooling you offset. Gather these before you request pricing:
- Twelve months of electric bills.
- Your utility and retail electricity provider.
- Roof age, material, and shade from trees.
- Whether you want a battery.
Our solar estimate checklist covers what a complete estimate should include, and how to read a solar contractor estimate shows what to look for in the line items.
Replace these ranges with a number for your address.
Start my free Texas solar estimate or try the online solar estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Panel Cost in Texas
How much do solar panels cost in Texas in 2026?
Solar panels in Texas cost roughly $2.25 to $2.90 per watt installed before incentives. A 7 to 10 kW system typically lands between about $16,800 and $29,000. Larger homes with heavy cooling loads cost more, and adding a battery raises the total further.
How much do solar panels cost in Houston?
Houston follows the statewide per-watt range, so an 8 to 10 kW system costs about $19,200 to $29,000 before incentives. Your retail electricity provider’s solar buyback plan has a large effect on long-term savings.
How much do solar panels cost in Dallas?
Dallas prices also follow the statewide range, about $19,200 to $29,000 for an 8 to 10 kW system before incentives. Most of the Dallas and Fort Worth area is in Oncor delivery territory, so check whether an Oncor solar program is open.
Is there a solar panel cost calculator for Texas?
Yes. Multiply your system size in watts by the price per watt, then add extras and subtract incentives. For a faster answer built on your address and bills, use the Axia solar calculator.
Is the federal solar tax credit still available in Texas?
No. The 30 percent federal residential credit expired at the end of 2025 for homeowners who buy a system with cash or a loan. Plan your budget without it.
Does Texas have a solar rebate?
Texas has no statewide rebate. Some utilities offer local rebates, such as Austin Energy, which raised its residential rebate to $4,000 for eligible systems. Texas also exempts the value solar adds to your home from property tax.
Does CPS Energy still offer a residential solar rebate?
CPS Energy announced that its general residential solar rebate ended on December 16, 2022. Rebates remained for small businesses, nonprofits, and schools, and CPS said future residential options would focus on low-to-moderate income customers.
Is solar worth it in Texas?
For many homeowners, it is, especially those with high summer bills. EnergySage’s Texas data estimates about $37,882 in 25-year savings for an average cash purchase, but results depend on your usage, buyback plan, and price per watt.
How big a solar system do I need in Texas?
Most Texas homes need between 7 and 10 kW, though larger homes can need more. The right size depends on your annual usage and roof space. See our Texas solar system size guide for the sizing math.
Does adding a battery make sense in Texas?
For many homeowners, it does, because the ERCOT grid has faced strain during extreme weather. A battery provides backup power and lets you use midday solar in the evening, but it adds roughly $10,000 to $16,000 to the project.