Are Solar Panels Worth It in Texas?

Thinking about going solar in Texas? 

There are a lot of benefits as well as a few drawbacks to consider. You might be wondering what incentives you’re eligible for if you choose to invest in a solar system installation for your home. 

Here, we cover all that and more to help you decide whether or not investing in this renewable form of energy in Texas is right for you! 

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost In Texas?

The cost of your solar panel installation will depend heavily on several factors, including the type of panels you use and the size of your system. When deciding on the system that’s right for you, you’ll need to start by determining your home’s power consumption (or deciding on how much electricity you want your panels to produce). 

If you want to get most or all of your home’s electricity from solar panels, you’ll need to determine how many panels it’ll take to power your house – a huge determiner in the cost of your system. 

You’ll also need to decide between portable, rigid, and flexible panels. If opting for a permanent installation, you could go for rigid panels and fill in any irregular spaces and gaps with flexible panels. It’s important to note that flexible panels are more versatile but come with a higher price tag. 

As you can see, the cost of your system installation will vary based on the types of components you opt for and the specifics of your system. 

What Determines the Cost of Solar Panels?

Let’s take a closer look at the factors that will impact the cost of your system installation in Texas: 

• System Size: As we touched on briefly, you’ll need to decide how much electricity you want your system to produce and, from there, calculate how many solar panels it’ll take to fulfill that energy requirement. The more panels you have, the more space they take up. If space is in short supply, you’ll want to opt for panels with a higher rated power — like the 400W Rigid Solar Panel — which comes with a higher price tag but produces more energy-saving electricity in the long run.
• Panel Type: The price of your solar panels will also be impacted by the type of solar panels you get, such as if you opt for monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels. While polycrystalline solar panels will save you some money on your initial investment, monocrystalline panels will save you more money over time due to their higher energy yield. 
• Installation Complexity: Some solar installations are so simple that you can do them yourself. However, especially when it comes to roof-mounted panels, sometimes it’s best to call in a professional. Depending on the complexity of your installation, this could end up costing you notably more on the total price of your system. 

The Benefits of Solar Panels in Texas

While solar installations in Texas can be costly, they also have many benefits. Let’s delve into some of what you can expect in exchange for your investment in solar energy. 

Cost Reduction

One of the most obvious benefits of switching to solar energy is the cost reduction it can offer. With the average monthly utility bill in Texas being $132.40 as of 2021, imagine how much those savings could add up over time if you could substantially reduce those expenses. 

Renewable Energy Source

With a renewable energy source, you can take a huge step toward energy independence. Especially in Texas, the electrical grid is vulnerable to extreme weather events. When the grid goes down, resulting in widespread blackouts, you could keep your lights on during these times of crisis with renewable energy and the necessary additional components (such as a portable power station like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro to store energy for use when the sun isn’t shining). For complete energy independence, you can even go all in for complete energy independence with a Whole Home Generator.

State Incentives

Texas has a number of statewide incentives for those considering going solar. While Texas doesn’t have a statewide net metering policy, there are various utility companies in the state with policies to credit those who own solar energy systems for the excess electricity their solar panels produce. 

As solar panels are an upgrade for your home, the value of your property will typically increase after installation — but fortunately for Texas residents, this doesn’t have to mean higher property taxes. Texas has a renewable energy property tax exemption, meaning you won’t have to pay additional taxes due to your property value increase resulting from your solar installation. 

You might also be eligible for additional incentives on the local level — make sure to check out what you could benefit from based on the area where you live.

Federal Incentives

On the federal level, Texas residents can benefit from the Federal Solar Tax Credit. Through this program, eligible taxpayers can claim a credit on their income tax return if they installed a qualified solar energy system during that tax year. 

With this program, Texans can receive a credit for 30% of the total cost of their solar installation cost – including labor, installation, and materials. 

Environmentally Friendly

Based on the total energy consumed per capita, Texas is number 6 in the United States as of 2021. That’s a good reason to try and reduce your carbon footprint – and a solar panel installation is a great start. 

As solar energy doesn’t produce greenhouse gases or air pollution while operating, they are much better for the environment. When used to replace the use of other sources of energy with more substantial environmental impacts, the result is a net benefit for the environment. 

The Drawbacks of Solar Panels in Texas

Like most things, solar energy has some drawbacks – however, we feel that the benefits certainly outweigh the downsides. Here are some of the disadvantages that you’ll have to contend with if you invest in a solar panel installation in The Lone Star State: 

High Initial Investment

As we covered before, the cost of your system will vary based on several factors, including the size of your system, the type of panels you opt for, and the complexity of your installation. However, the cost is likely to be substantial. While some incentives may help offset the cost of that investment, this will still impact your solar payback period – the time it takes to save as much as you spent on investing in solar. 

Long Payback Period

Speaking of the solar payback period, the high investment increases how long that will take. While solar panels will help you save money every month by cutting down on your utility bills, it’ll still take some time for those savings to offset your initial investment. However, once that’s all over, those savings go right into your pocket! 

So, Are Solar Panels Worth It in Texas?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it in Texas is an individual decision that comes down to factors like personal preference, the size of your system, how much money it’ll save you on your monthly utility bill, and more. 

By calculating your solar power ROI, you’ll have a better idea of if it’s worth it to you — but we think all of the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks of utilizing this form of renewable energy in your home. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

While solar panels in Texas have a high investment cost and a long payback period, they also come with many benefits, including being better for the environment, reducing utility costs, providing sustainable energy for your home, and more. In addition, with federal and state-level incentives available to Texans, you can get some financial assistance in making your solar panel dream a reality. 

Are you interested in taking the next step toward going solar? Check out our selection of solar panels today!