Energy cost · Solar & Backup Power
Solar Panel Cost
Home solar system, installed
Bottom line: Installing solar panels costs $27,104 on average, and most homeowners pay $18,268 to $36,409, according to Angi. HomeGuide puts installed systems at $3.00 to $4.50 per watt, or $18,000 to $27,000 for a 6 kW system before incentives. In Texas, HomeGuide lists $2.60 to $3.00 per watt. The federal 30% homeowner credit ended for expenditures after 2025.
Angi puts the 2026 national average for a home solar installation at $27,104, based on 2,546 projects, with most homeowners paying $18,268 to $36,409. HomeGuide's installed price is $3.00 to $4.50 per watt before incentives, about $3.75 on average.
Cost by system size
| System | Angi | HomeGuide (before incentives) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | – | $9,000 – $13,500 |
| 4 kW | $8,000 – $13,000 | $12,000 – $18,000 |
| 5 kW | – | $15,000 – $22,500 |
| 6 kW | $12,000 – $19,000 | $18,000 – $27,000 |
| 8 kW | $15,000 – $23,000 | $24,000 – $36,000 |
| 10 kW | $18,000 – $27,000 | $30,000 – $45,000 |
| 12 kW | – | $36,000 – $54,000 |
Texas
HomeGuide's state table lists Texas at $2.60 to $3.00 per watt, or $15,600 to $30,000 for a 6 to 10 kW system before incentives.
Panels, inverter and labor
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Monocrystalline panels | $1.00 – $1.80 per watt | HomeGuide |
| Polycrystalline panels | $0.80 – $1.00 per watt | HomeGuide |
| Thin-film panels | $0.50 – $1.00 per watt | HomeGuide |
| Inverter, installed | $1,500 – $3,000 | HomeGuide |
| Smart inverter and monitoring | $500 – $2,000 | Angi |
| Labor | $0.50 – $1.00 per watt | Angi |
| Permits | $200 – $1,000 | Angi |
HomeGuide says installation labor is about 10% to 20% of the total.
Federal tax credit
Many cost guides still show prices after a 30% federal credit. According to the IRS, the Residential Clean Energy Credit (section 25D) is not allowed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025, so homeowners installing in 2026 should budget with the before-incentive prices above.
Adding a battery
See solar battery cost. If you plan to add solar and an EV charger, your electrical panel may need an upgrade; see electrical panel upgrade cost.
Cost by system type (Angi averages)
| System | Average |
|---|---|
| Grid-tied | $10,000 |
| Roof-mounted | $15,000 |
| Hybrid | $18,000 |
| Ground-mounted | $18,000 |
| Off-grid | $25,000 |
| Solar shingles | $25,000 |
Panel count
Angi's table pairs a 4 kW system with 10 to 12 panels, 6 kW with 15 to 18, 8 kW with 20 to 24 and 10 kW with 25 to 30.
Upkeep (Angi)
Monitoring subscriptions run $50 to $200 a year, professional maintenance $150 to $400 per visit, inverter repair or replacement $1,000 to $3,000, and storm or hail repairs $200 to $700 per panel.
DIY kits and payback
Angi lists DIY solar kits at $6,000 to $12,000 for a standard home and a payback period of 6 to 12 years, with a home value increase of 3% to 5%.
How home solar works
Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity. An inverter changes it into power your home can use. Extra power can be sent to the grid, depending on your electricity plan.
What affects the price
- System size in kilowatts.
- Panel and inverter brand.
- Roof type, pitch and shading.
- Electrical work and permits.
- Batteries.
Before you buy
- Check the roof's age. Replacing a roof after solar is installed means removing and reinstalling the panels.
- Look at your electricity use over a full year.
- Understand how your electricity plan treats extra power.
Buy, loan or lease
- Cash purchase: you own the system.
- Loan: you own the system and pay it off over time.
- Lease or power purchase agreement: a company owns the system and you pay for its use or output.
Read the contract terms closely, especially for leases.
Incentives
The federal residential clean energy credit does not apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025, according to the IRS. Check current federal, state and utility programs before signing.
Questions to ask
- How was the system size calculated?
- What happens to extra power under my electricity plan?
- Who handles warranty claims for panels, inverter and roof penetrations?
In Texas
Texas has a deregulated electricity market in much of the state. Buyback terms for solar power vary by retail electricity provider, so compare plans before and after installing solar.
From quote to power-on
Going solar usually follows the same steps. First, an installer reviews your electric bills and roof, often using satellite imagery, and sends a proposal with system size, estimated production and price. A site visit follows to check the roof structure, the electrical panel and shading in detail. The installer then designs the system, applies for permits and submits an interconnection application to the utility.
Installation on the roof usually takes a few days. After that, the city or county inspects the work, and the utility approves the interconnection and may install a new meter. Only then can the system be turned on. The paperwork stages often take longer than the physical installation, so ask the installer for a realistic timeline.
Checking the roof first
Solar panels last for decades, so the roof underneath should have plenty of life left. If your roof will need replacing within a few years, doing it before installing solar avoids paying to remove and reinstall the panels later. South- and west-facing roof sections with little shade produce the most, while heavily shaded roofs may not be good candidates. Some installers suggest ground-mounted arrays for properties with land and poor roofs.
Reading a solar proposal
- System size (kW) and the number and model of panels.
- Estimated annual production (kWh), which should match your usage goals and be based on your roof and location.
- Price per watt, which makes it easier to compare quotes of different sizes.
- Inverter type, string or microinverters, and warranty length for panels, inverters and workmanship.
- Assumptions about savings, including utility rates and rate increases. Ask how savings were calculated, since optimistic assumptions can make any system look good.
After installation
Most systems come with a monitoring app that shows daily production. Check it now and then; a sudden drop can point to a failed inverter or a tripped breaker. Panels generally need little care, though dust, pollen and bird droppings reduce output in dry areas without much rain. Keep trees trimmed so new shade does not creep onto the panels over the years.
Comparing installers
Get at least three quotes and compare them on price per watt, equipment brands, warranties and estimated production rather than total price alone. Ask how long the company has installed solar in your area, whether it uses its own crews or subcontractors, and who services the system if something fails. Check reviews that mention service after installation, not just the sales experience. A company that pressures you to sign the same day, or makes promises about free solar, deserves extra caution.
Sources
Solar companies in Texas
Our Texas business directory lists 356 solar companies across 6 major cities. The ratings below are the average Google rating of the listed businesses in each city, and the review counts are the total number of Google reviews they have received.
| City | Businesses listed | Avg. Google rating | Total reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 108 | 4.4 | 7,408 |
| Dallas | 49 | 4.4 | 1,459 |
| San Antonio | 61 | 4.2 | 3,470 |
| Austin | 60 | 4.1 | 3,937 |
| Fort Worth | 35 | 3.7 | 1,871 |
| El Paso | 43 | 4.1 | 892 |
Source: twupro Texas business directory, built from public Google Maps listings.
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