Solar by State / Texas
Data last verified: August 2026Is Solar Worth It in Texas in 2026?
The honest answer depends on four numbers that are unique to Texas: your electricity rate, your solar production, your net metering policy, and your state incentives. Here are the real figures, with sources and dates.
Texas Solar Snapshot (2026)
| Residential electricity rate | 16.1¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD May) |
| Solar production | ~1421 kWh per kW installed per year (NREL PVWatts v8) |
| Net metering | Mixed / utility-dependent — export ~6¢/kWh |
| State tax credit | None in 2026 |
| Rebates / performance | None |
| SREC market | No active SREC market |
| Property tax exemption | Yes |
| Sales tax exemption | No |
Estimate Your Own Payback in Texas
The table above is a 6 kW benchmark. Your home is different — use the Solar ROI Calculator with Texas pre-loaded to get your exact payback, or the 30-second worth-it quiz for a go/no-go verdict.
Texas FAQ
Does Texas have a solar tax credit in 2026?
Texas does not offer a state income tax credit for residential solar in 2026. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installations.
What is net metering like in Texas?
Texas uses a utility-dependent mix with exports around 6¢/kWh. This means exports earn very little, so self-consumption is essential.
Is solar worth it in Texas after the federal credit ended?
At a typical 2.55/W installed cost and 16.1¢/kWh electricity, a 6 kW system in Texas has an estimated payback of about 13 years (rank #43 of 51 states). That is in the middle of the pack — workable for long-term owners.
Compare Texas with Another State
See how Texas stacks up against Indiana — or use the state comparison tool for a side-by-side of any two or three states.
Popular guides
Is Solar Worth It After the 2026 Tax Credit?
What changed when the federal 25D credit expired.
Read →Solar Panel Cost by State (2026)
How much solar costs in every state this year.
Read →Net Metering vs Net Billing
Why your export credit matters as much as your rate.
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