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Texas Solar Cost Calculator

Estimate the cost and payback of a residential solar system in Texas. Adjust system size, installed price, value captured and verified incentives using transparent 2026 planning data.

Federal residential solar credit in 2026: $0. CalcuRiver does not subtract the expired 30% Section 25D credit from this estimate. Add only local or utility incentives you have independently verified.
State planning yield1,478 kWh/kW
Installed-cost benchmark$2.23/W
Federal credit assumed0%
Electricity rateloading…
2026 state snapshot

What changes in Texas

Texas's residential electricity rate is 13.3% below the U.S. average. Combined with a planning yield of 1,478 kWh/kW-year and a $2/W installed-cost benchmark, the same 8 kW system produces a different state-level cost and value profile.

View Texas electricity rates →
Residential electricity rate15.88¢/kWh13.3% below U.S. average
8 kW annual production11,824 kWh1,478 kWh/kW planning yield
8 kW gross benchmark cost$17,840$2/W planning benchmark
Annual value at full retail$1,878$156/month equivalent
Simple payback at full retail9.5 yearsBefore financing and unverified incentives
Existing city pages46Current CalcuRiver city coverage

This 8 kW snapshot is a comparison scenario, not a quote. It uses CalcuRiver's state planning yield, installed-cost benchmark and EIA 2026-07 residential rate. Actual roof production, export compensation, taxes, financing and local incentives can materially change the result.

state solar model

Build your Texas scenario

Start with state planning benchmarks, then replace them with your actual quote or site-specific inputs.

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The state planning benchmark is not a statewide average and does not replace a roof-specific production model or utility export analysis.

Solar by utility

Utility-specific solar rate context and compensation modeling boundaries.

UTILITYEntergy Texassolar rate context · export guarded
city coverage

Solar cost by city in Texas

Open a city page for a location-specific production benchmark and local planning inputs.

AbileneCity solar estimate →AllenCity solar estimate →AmarilloCity solar estimate →ArlingtonCity solar estimate →AustinCity solar estimate →BaytownCity solar estimate →BeaumontCity solar estimate →BrownsvilleCity solar estimate →BryanCity solar estimate →CarrolltonCity solar estimate →College StationCity solar estimate →ConroeCity solar estimate →Corpus ChristiCity solar estimate →DallasCity solar estimate →DentonCity solar estimate →EdinburgCity solar estimate →El PasoCity solar estimate →Fort WorthCity solar estimate →FriscoCity solar estimate →GarlandCity solar estimate →Grand PrairieCity solar estimate →HoustonCity solar estimate →IrvingCity solar estimate →KilleenCity solar estimate →LaredoCity solar estimate →League CityCity solar estimate →LewisvilleCity solar estimate →LongviewCity solar estimate →LubbockCity solar estimate →McKinneyCity solar estimate →MidlandCity solar estimate →MissionCity solar estimate →Missouri CityCity solar estimate →New BraunfelsCity solar estimate →OdessaCity solar estimate →PasadenaCity solar estimate →PearlandCity solar estimate →PlanoCity solar estimate →RichardsonCity solar estimate →Round RockCity solar estimate →San AngeloCity solar estimate →San AntonioCity solar estimate →Sugar LandCity solar estimate →TempleCity solar estimate →TylerCity solar estimate →WacoCity solar estimate →

Showing all 46 current city pages.

How this Texas estimate works

  • Annual production = system size × 1,478 kWh/kW planning benchmark.
  • Retail-value ceiling = annual production × current Texas residential electricity price.
  • The value-capture control lets you haircut that ceiling for self-consumption/export economics.
  • Simple payback = entered net installed cost ÷ modeled annual electricity value.

Source boundaries

1,478 kWh/kW-year planning benchmark for Texas; a planning input, not a statewide average or site-specific roof forecast. Roof orientation, shading, equipment, local weather and utility export compensation can materially change the result.

Production methodologyCost benchmarkDetailed solar calculator
2026 state snapshot

How Texas differs

Residential electricity15.88¢/kWh
8 kW annual production11,824 kWh
8 kW benchmark gross cost$17,840
Simple retail-value payback9.5 years

Texas's July 2026 residential electricity benchmark is 13.3% below the U.S. average. Production and cost are planning benchmarks; utility export rules can change realized savings.

Rate source: EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A · 2026-07 preliminary.

methodology & sources

Texas solar methodology

Production basis

1,478 kWh/kW-year planning benchmark for Texas; a planning input, not a statewide average or site-specific roof forecast.

Installed-cost basis

2.23 $/W planning benchmark; this is not an installer quote.

Electricity benchmark

15.88¢/kWh residential state benchmark for 2026-07 (preliminary).

Utility treatment

State pages show a planning-level retail-value benchmark. Utility export compensation can materially change realized savings.

Methodology: Solar utility model · CalcuRiver methodology.

why this estimate changes

Why this solar estimate changes

Solar value is driven by local production, installed cost, the retail value of electricity you avoid buying, and the compensation you receive for exported energy. CalcuRiver does not assume export credits equal the retail rate unless that utility program is explicitly verified.

Core logic: self-used solar offsets retail purchases; exported solar is valued only under a verified export-compensation rule.

Methodology & source policy

Continue this cost analysis

Use the same state context to connect solar production with grid prices, storage and EV charging.

Texas electricity ratesSee the grid-price benchmark used to value solar production.Texas home battery economicsEstimate storage value and self-consumption in the same state.EV charging in TexasSee how the same electricity market affects vehicle charging.