Choosing the right solar installer in Texas can feel overwhelming. There are so many questions to answer before making the decision you can spend hours researching. That’s why we’ve simplified it for you.
Our guide highlights Texas’s top-rated solar companies, combining Resident Solar Power expert insights with feedback from locals who’ve made the switch.
No need to surf the web looking for information crumbs to have the big picture. Years in business, reviews from real customers, online reputation, panel brands, warranty, social media overview, and more – we have it all. The hard work is done to help you make the right decision.
We prioritize companies committed to long-term service and reliability. Here’s our list of Texas’s most trusted solar installers:
NRG Clean Power review 600 Congress Avenue, Austin TX, 78701
ATX Solar review 1401 Lavaca St #942 Austin, TX 78701
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, ATX Solar read more…
Alba Energy review 1601 Rio Grande, Ste 300 Austin, TX 78701
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Alba Energy read more…
Green Power Energy review 2112 Holly St, Austin TX, 78702
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Green Power read more…
Smart Energy Solar review 1138, Gunter Street, Austin, Travis County, Texas, 78721, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Smart Energy read more…
Solar Service review 1801 E 51st St STE 365, #250, Austin, TX 78723
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Solar Service read more…
Alba Energy review 440 E St Elmo Rd, Austin TX, 78745
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Alba Energy read more…
Greenbelt Solar review 4808 Broken Bow Pass, Austin, 78745, TX
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Greenbelt Solar read more…
Freedom Solar Power review 4801 Freidrich Ln Ste 100 Austin, TX 78744
Our Expert Choice badge goes to Freedom Solar Power, which concentrates on serving fewer than 5 states. With a foundation read more…
512 Solar review 1250 South Capital of Texas Highway Bldg 3, Suite 400, Austin, TX 78746
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, 512 Solar read more…
NuWatt Energy review 5900 Balcones Drive Suite 101, Austin TX, 78731
Our Expert Choice badge goes to NuWatt Energy, which concentrates on serving fewer than 2 states. With a foundation dating read more…
TriSMART Solar review 7801 N Lamar Blvd, Austin Texas, 78752
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, TriSMART Solar read more…
NATiVE Solar review 8201 S Congress Ave, Austin TX, 78745
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Native Solar read more…
Sunlux review 8801 Tara Lane, Austin TX, 78737
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Sunlux is read more…
Sunlux review 9225 Bee Caves Road, Building A Suite 101, Austin, TX 78733
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Sunlux is read more…
TriSMART Solar review 2217 W Howard Ln, Austin TX, 78728
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, TriSMART Solar read more…
Longhorn Solar review 1421 Wells Branch Pkwy. Ste. 110 Pflugerville, TX 78660
Our Expert Choice badge goes to Longhorn Solar, which concentrates on serving fewer than 1 state. With a foundation dating read more…
Divided Sky Roofing & Solar review 1645 Main St Suite A8, Buda, TX 78610, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Divided Sky read more…
IES Texas Solar review 15720 Vision Drive, Pflugerville TX, 78660
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, IES Texas read more…
DKD Energy review 12915 Nutty Brown Rd, Austin, 78737, TX
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, DKD Energy read more…
Solar Panel Cost in Texas
If you’re wondering how much solar panels cost in Texas, you’re looking at real numbers that vary based on your home’s energy needs. Right now in October 2025, residential solar panels run about $2.16 per watt across the state.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Texas?
The cost to install solar panels comes down to system size more than anything else. Here’s what solar panels prices look like in Texas this month:
| System Size | Cost Before Tax Credit | Cost After 30% Tax Credit | Price Per Watt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5kW | $10,786 | $7,550 | $2.16/W | |
| 6kW | $12,943 | $9,060 | $2.16/W | |
| 8kW | $17,257 | $12,080 | $2.16/W | |
| 10kW | $21,572 | $15,100 | $2.16/W | |
| Pricing Disclaimer: The solar panel prices shown are estimates based on data collected from online sources as of October 2025. Actual costs may vary based on your location, system specifications, and installer. | ||||
These numbers cover everything—equipment, installation labor, and permits. Your actual cost of solar panel installation might run higher or lower depending on where you live in Texas, what equipment you pick, how complex your roof is, and which installer you go with.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Solar Panels on Different Home Sizes?
Most Texas homeowners need somewhere between 5kW and 10kW to handle their electricity use. A 5-8kW system is usually enough to power much of a 2,000-square-foot home.
Solar Incentives and Rebates in Texas
When you want to know how much solar panels will cost after rebates and tax credits, it’s really helpful to know what’s out there.
Federal Solar Tax Credit
This is the big one. The federal tax credit knocks 30% off your total installation cost—materials, labor, everything. But 2025 is the last year you can claim it. After December 31, 2025, the credit expires.
Texas State Incentives
Texas doesn’t have a statewide rebate program, but there’s a property tax exemption that’s worth knowing about. When you install solar panels in Texas, they increase your home’s value, but that added value won’t bump up your property taxes.
Local Utility Rebates
Several Texas utilities offer cash rebates:
- AEP Texas: Residential customers can get up to $3,000 per system (tiered by system size: $750 for 3-5kW, $1,750 for 5-7.5kW, and $2,750-$3,000 for 7.5kW+)
- Austin Energy: Austin residents qualify for a $2,500 rebate plus access to the Value of Solar program (currently 9.91 cents per kWh)
- Other local utilities run their own programs
Check with your utility company to see what’s currently available in your area.
Specific Considerations for Texas Solar
Solar Irradiance and Climate Benefits
Texas gets serious sunshine year-round. West and South Texas especially see high solar irradiance levels that make panels incredibly productive. Even in winter, you’ll get strong solar performance because Texas just doesn’t have that many cloudy days.
Permitting and Interconnection
The state legislature has been working to speed up solar and energy storage permitting, which helps. That said, requirements still vary from one city to another. You’ll typically need:
- Building permits for the installation
- Electrical permits for connecting the system
- HOA approval if you’re in a neighborhood with one
- An interconnection agreement with your utility
Texas has been trying to standardize residential solar permitting, but timelines can still swing pretty wide depending on your local jurisdiction and utility.
Timeline Expectations
Installation Timeframes
Here’s how long each step usually takes for residential solar installations in Texas:
- Site assessment and design: 1-2 weeks
- Permitting: 2-6 weeks (this varies a lot by city)
- Equipment procurement: 1-3 weeks
- Installation: 1-3 days
- Utility interconnection approval: Four to six weeks after the utility receives your completed application, plus another two weeks for startup testing
From signing your contract to flipping the switch, you’re typically looking at 2-4 months. This can stretch longer depending on how backed up your local permitting office is, how many applications your utility is processing, whether your installer has equipment in stock, and what the weather’s doing. Note that timelines may be longer in late 2025 due to increased demand before the federal tax credit expires.
Factors Affecting Timeline
- How fast your city’s permitting office works
- How many other solar projects are in your utility’s queue
- Whether your equipment is readily available
- Weather delays
- Your installer’s schedule
Is It Worth Going Solar in Texas?
Plenty of Texas homeowners ask “are solar panels worth it in Texas?” For most people, the math works out well.
Texas gets excellent sun, which means your panels will generate plenty of power. Electricity rates here can jump around quite a bit, so locking in your own power production helps protect you from price spikes down the road.
When you factor in the federal tax credit (remember, only available through the end of 2025), local utility rebates, and the property tax exemption, the actual cost of solar panels in Texas drops significantly. Most homeowners break even within 8-12 years. After that, you’re banking the savings.
Your home value goes up too, but again, your property taxes don’t. And because Texas has a deregulated electricity market, many retail electricity providers offer net metering or buyback programs that put money back in your pocket for excess power.
How Much Can Solar Panels Save Me in Texas?
Finding out how much you can save on solar in Texas is not a straightforward answer. It depends on several factors, including the solar billing of your utility company, the size of a potential solar system on your roof, and your household’s energy consumption. While most solar installers will try to cover all your electricity needs, the actual savings will depend on your home’s unique conditions. To get a personal estimate of how much you could potentially save by going solar, fill out a simple form on our website, use Google’s Project Sunroof solar savings calculator, or consult with a couple of local solar installation companies for a personalized savings calculation.
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Solar Financing Explained
You can pay for solar panels in a couple of ways:
- Cash
- Installer solar loans
- Personal loans
- Cash-out refinance or HELOC
- Solar Leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
First, there is a cash purchase, which in most cases provides the best price and long-term savings, but the upfront payment is not always what you can afford. If you want to own your solar panels and don’t have about $15,000 to $20,000 in the bank, you’ll have to choose solar panel financing.
You can consider a personal loan, a home equity line of credit, or a solar loan offered by the solar company. However, keep in mind that these loans come with interest and additional fees. Solar loans often are tied to dealer fees, which can increase the total cost of your solar system by 20% or more in exchange for a lower interest rate. To ensure you get the best possible deal, it is wise to compare the dealer fees and interest rates offered by different installers. This way, you can make an informed decision based on the most favorable terms available.
Some companies offer solar leases or PPAs that require zero upfront cost. But in such case, you don’t own solar panels and you are not eligible for any solar rebates or the federal tax credit. And, because you have to pay the solar company monthly, your total solar savings will be lower. Ask for detailed savings calculations from a solar installer to decide on the best option. In most cases, you will still be paying less for electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Rank Solar Installers
Our main goal is to provide homeowners like you with top-rated solar companies you can trust. Our solar experts analyzed thousands of local and nationwide installers to get to the bottom of who is best in a specific location. The solar company ranking methodology is based on gathering input from homeowner surveys, consulting with industry experts, and extensive research into the solar energy market. Here are the things we believe are the most important to consider when choosing a solar company.
In short, here’s how we pick top installers:
– Company that has been in business for over five years as it indicates stability, reliability, and successful installations.
– Local solar companies over big national ones covering multiple areas as they can provide better personal attention and know more about the solar needs and regulations in their area.
– Companies with hands-on experience and a wealth of projects under their belt are more likely to deliver efficient and timely installations that cater to specific customer needs.
– Companies that handle their own installations instead of outsourcing to subcontractors ensure a higher caliber of work and nurture a culture of excellence and accountability in service.
– Select a company that has a good overall reputation and reviews on sites like SolarReviews, BBB, Google Maps, and Yelp.
– The company is licensed and insured and holds relevant certifications such as NABCEP certification.
– Companies that offer a wide selection of high-quality solar panels and related products and work with reputable brands.
– Companies that provide flexible financing options such as solar loans, leases, or power purchase agreements.
– Installers that provide substantial workmanship warranties and system performance guarantees.
Read more:
Our Methodology
What Made Us Choose Sources for Expert Score?
How We Classify Solar Installers: What Matters Most?
What to Look for In a Solar Company
To ensure that you partner with a great provider that can meet your needs of going solar, look for the following:
– Make sure the solar installer has industry-standard certifications, such as those from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), indicating that they meet the gold standard in renewable energy installations. Also, verify if they are licensed, bonded, and insured for residential solar projects in your area. If subcontractors are involved, check their credentials as well.
– Prioritize installers with a proven track record in solar installations, ideally with at least 5+ years of experience. Ask about the number of systems they’ve installed and their project portfolio. A competent installer should openly discuss the solar panels, inverters, and batteries they use if they help to take advantage of local solar incentives and rebates, and warranty coverage specifics.
– Your installer should be forthcoming about the installation process and answer any questions you might have, like “How many solar panels will I need? Why?”, “Can you give me a detailed cost breakdown based on my energy consumption?”, “What solar panel brands do you install? Why?”, etc.. They should also be transparent about their use of subcontractors, detailing their roles and how their work will be supervised.
– A preliminary evaluation of your roof’s condition is the groundwork. The installer should advise on necessary repairs to ensure it’s ready for solar panel installation and clarify responsibilities for any potential roof damage during the process. Discuss aesthetic concerns, such as the placement of solar panels around roof vents or the possibility of relocating vents for a more visually appealing setup.
– Check the installer’s reputation through online reviews and testimonials. They should be able to connect you with past customers willing to share their experiences. Personal recommendations from friends or neighbors who’ve gone solar can also be invaluable.
– Solar installation costs can vary widely, so obtaining multiple quotes is advisable. Experienced installers will adjust their offers to your home’s specifics—size, energy needs, etc. For an objective cost comparison, calculate the price per watt of the proposed system, giving you a standardized basis to evaluate different quotes.
Should You Choose a Local Solar Installer or a Big National Company?
Always choose a local solar company over a big national corporation. Small local companies that operate in a distinct local area are better than multi-state and national solar companies and large corporations. It’s the small local companies who get the best reviews on our website, and it’s the national multistate companies who get very poor reviews. Why so, you may ask?
Solar is a local service business, for the most part, and it is extremely difficult to run a solar company and offer good customer service to many locations from a central office.
Local ones have a community connection, they know better the incentives and regulations in the area, and they simply care more about you than large businesses trying to get into your pocket and overprice you. While multi-state solar companies might try to convince you by financial stability and “quality of installations across different locations”, try to choose a local company that meets all your criteria.
What Does a Solar Installation Look Like?
Here’s how a solar system installation will look like once the design for your solar system is approved:
– First, a solar installer should estimate your energy needs, and analyze your annual and monthly electricity consumption, which you can find on utility bills measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Such calculations will help to understand potential savings, payback period, and the system size you need.
– A home energy audit is something every experienced solar company would do to understand the size and output needed.
– Next question on the list: are your house’s roof conditions good enough for installation? A solar installer should carefully inspect the roof and ensure its conditions and orientation are good to go, how and where to better place solar panels and wire the system.
– Next, they will design the system and show you how it’s going to look.
You will usually need a permit to install solar panels from your local authorities, and the solar provider should handle all the paperwork.
– The entire process might take up to 3 months depending on the state and local regulations, while the system installation is usually up to 3 days (might take longer depending on roof conditions and system complexity).
– The installation crew should always clean up and remove any debris, leaving your house in good condition.
– When the system is installed, it should be checked and approved by local municipality inspection.
– If you’re connecting your system to the grid, it has to be wired to your local utility system. You’ll apply for connection through your utility company, which will also want to inspect your system to ensure it’s following utility guidelines. Some installers may help you with this step, so always ask. Once you have all the permits, your system will be up and running, powering your home with solar.
Find the Best Solar Installers Near You
