Solar Guide
Solar in Arlington
Arlington homeowners can slash their energy bills with solar installation as Texas ranks 7th for residential solar installations nationwide. With electricity prices jumping 28% from 2020 to 2024, solar panels offer a smart way to lock in lower energy costs.
Ready to explore your home solar panel options? This guide covers everything Arlington residents need to know about solar installation in their area.
Key Takeaways
- Arlington homeowners can save $82,000 over 25 years with solar panels, thanks to Texas’ excellent solar conditions and rising electricity rates.
- Texas offers valuable solar incentives including a 30% federal tax credit and property tax exemptions that reduce installation costs.
- Solar systems typically pay for themselves in 7.6 years while providing decades of clean energy and predictable electricity costs.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our calculator uses real installation data from Arlington neighborhoods like Dalworthington Gardens, Pantego, and Forest Hill. Get accurate solar costs based on actual local projects, not estimates. See what your neighbors paid for their solar systems.
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Arlington Electricity Prices
Understanding Arlington, Texas electricity costs helps homeowners make informed decisions about their energy future and potential savings.
Texas electricity rates have steadily climbed from 12.1 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.9 cents in 2024, representing a 23% increase over three years.
Solar panels allow Arlington homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing dependence on the grid and protecting against these rising utility costs.
With a typical solar system lasting 25+ years, homeowners can lock in predictable energy costs while traditional electricity rates continue climbing annually.
Price of Energy: Texas vs National Average
Arlington Area Utility Providers
Arlington residents benefit from competitive electricity rates through local utility providers. Based on 2023 data, area utilities average below both state and national rates.
Texas’ deregulated energy market and abundant natural gas resources help keep Arlington’s electricity costs lower than the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.
With utility rates historically trending upward, solar panels help Arlington homeowners lock in predictable energy costs while reducing dependence on traditional electricity sources.
Arlington Utilities Electricity Rates
Texas Solar Incentives
Arlington residents can significantly reduce solar installation costs through available solar incentives in Texas and federal programs.
These incentives include property tax exemptions that prevent increases from solar installations and net metering programs that credit excess energy production back to homeowners.
Understanding these programs helps Arlington families make informed decisions about their solar investment and maximize long-term savings.
$8,189
Average savings in Texas solar rebates
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Credit | Federal tax credit | A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed | Learn More |
| Property Tax Exemption | State tax exemption | No property tax increase from solar installations. Example: $20k system saves ~$400/year at 2% tax rate. | Learn More |
The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.
The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.
Texas offers a property tax exemption for solar and wind-powered energy devices, which means homeowners can exclude the added value of their solar installation from their property tax assessment. When you install solar panels on your home, they typically increase your property’s appraised value, but this exemption ensures you won’t pay additional property taxes on that increased value.
To qualify for this exemption, your solar energy system must be installed on property you own and use as your residence. You’ll need to apply for the exemption with your local county appraisal district using Form 50-123 before the May 1st deadline. The exemption continues as long as you own the property and the solar system remains installed, providing ongoing tax savings throughout the life of your system. This incentive makes solar more affordable by eliminating the concern about higher property taxes from your clean energy investment.
Net metering in Texas varies significantly by utility company, with most areas offering net billing (export credit) rather than traditional 1:1 net metering. Under these programs, your solar panels can send excess electricity back to the grid, and you’ll receive credits on your electric bill. The credit rates typically range from 1.4 cents to 9.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), depending on your specific utility and chosen plan.
The financial benefits depend on your location and utility provider. For example, Shell Energy offers 7 cents per kWh for excess solar production in areas served by CenterPoint Energy, Oncor Energy, and several other transmission companies, though this rate decreased from 15 cents in April 2024. Some electric cooperatives like Grayson Collin offer true 1:1 net metering where excess credits can roll over year to year, while others like CPS Energy in San Antonio provide seasonal rates of about 2 cents per kWh in summer and 1.65 cents in winter.
Most programs settle monthly, meaning any excess credits are either forfeited or paid out at lower rates each December. Some utilities charge additional monthly fees for solar customers, ranging from $4.95 to $30 per month. Since Texas has a deregulated electricity market in many areas, you may need to work with specific retail energy providers (REPs) to access solar buyback programs, and your options will depend on your transmission and distribution utility (TDU) company.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Texas incentives.
Get a Free QuoteArlington Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Arlington’s hot summers and mild winters create excellent solar conditions year-round. Despite occasional clouds, proper system design maximizes energy production effectively.
Solar Production in Arlington by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Installations in Arlington
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to show you how your Arlington neighbors are embracing clean energy. Explore this interactive heatmap to discover which communities have made the switch to solar and see the growing clean energy movement in your area.
Leasing Solar Panels
Arlington residents have access to solar leasing options through Palmetto’s LightReach program, which allows homeowners to go solar without the upfront investment costs. Since Arlington is served by Oncor Energy (Dallas), Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are available in this area.
With a PPA, you pay for the actual energy your solar panels produce at a set rate per kilowatt-hour, typically lower than your current utility rate. This means higher production months like summer result in greater savings, while lower production months have smaller bills. The key advantage is immediate savings without system ownership responsibilities.
Unlike purchasing a system outright, LightReach eliminates maintenance concerns, performance risks, and large upfront costs. You simply enjoy clean energy and bill savings from day one, while Palmetto handles all system monitoring and maintenance throughout the agreement term. Learn more about solar leasing versus buying to determine the best option for your situation.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes excellent sense in Arlington, TX. With abundant sunshine year-round and rising electricity costs, Arlington homeowners can save approximately $82,000 over 25 years with solar panels.
Texas offers valuable incentives including a 30% federal tax credit and property tax exemptions. Combined with Arlington’s excellent solar conditions and typical payback periods of 7.6 years, solar provides strong financial returns while reducing dependence on grid electricity.
Arlington doesn’t have traditional net metering, but offers net billing through Shell Energy’s Buyback Plan. Since Arlington is served by Oncor Energy, excess solar energy is credited at 7 cents per kWh starting April 2024.
Credits reduce your current month’s bill, with excess stored in a “buyback bank” for future use. While not 1:1 net metering, this program still provides value for solar production, though credits are forfeited each December without payout.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Arlington, TX. According to a Zillow study, solar panels boost home values by an average of 4.1% nationwide.
For Arlington’s median home price of $320,000, this translates to approximately $13,120 in added value. Texas’ property tax exemption for solar installations means homeowners gain this value without increased property taxes, making solar a smart investment for Arlington residents.
Solar costs in Arlington typically range from $14,179 to $25,057 after the federal tax credit, depending on your home size and energy needs. A typical 10 kW system costs around $19,107 after incentives.
System size varies by home: small homes (up to 2,000 sq ft) need about 7 kW, medium homes (2,000-3,000 sq ft) need 10 kW, and large homes (over 3,000 sq ft) need 13 kW systems.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Arlington, TX. With average savings of $82,000 over 25 years and payback periods of 7.6 years, solar provides strong returns while protecting against rising electricity costs.
Texas incentives like the 30% federal tax credit and property tax exemptions significantly reduce upfront costs. Combined with Arlington’s excellent solar conditions and monthly savings averaging $186, solar offers both immediate and long-term financial benefits for homeowners.
We believe Palmetto Solar is the best choice for Arlington residents. As a national company with local focus, we’ve completed 3,810 installations across Texas since 2020, bringing proven expertise to your area.
Our comprehensive approach includes some of the industry’s best financing options and a reliable installation network. We handle everything from permits to activation, making solar simple and stress-free for Arlington homeowners.