Nathan Healy
Certified by Nathan Healy
Updated: October 2026
Quality Solar Panels Since 2011
Palmetto has served 20,000+ customers across 31 states with an approval rating over 85%.
About Nathan Healy

Nathan Healy is a Vice President at Palmetto, where he helps homeowners cut through the confusion around solar and figure out whether it actually pencils out for their home, roof, and budget. With energy prices climbing and the federal incentive landscape shifting, his focus is simple: give people a straight, honest answer instead of a sales pitch.

He reviews Palmetto’s local solar guides so the costs, incentives, and utility details on this page reflect what’s really happening in your area.
He believes in solar so much, that he had Palmetto install solar on his own parents’ house, the home he grew up in.

01

Solar Power in Dallas

Thinking about solar installation in Dallas? The area’s abundant sunshine can support rooftop solar, but your roof’s condition, shade, household energy use, and electricity plan all affect how much of your power a system may cover.

This guide explains what to expect from solar panel installation in Dallas and which factors to review before choosing a system. For a broader overview, explore our guide to home solar panels.

TEXAS by the Numbers

7th Most residential solar in the United States
122 Households have installed solar panels
5.4 Avg peak sun hours per day
~$73k Dallas average savings over 25 years
02

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Dallas, TX?

Explore solar installation costs in Dallas using Palmetto’s real installation data from across the area, including Plano, Garland, Irving, and Arlington. This calculator offers a locally grounded estimate based on systems installed in nearby communities, helping you understand what homeowners may pay for solar.

Small Home Up to 2,000 sq ft
Medium Home 2,000-3,000 sq ft
Large Home Over 3,000 sq ft
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Texas.
Recommended
System
8.91 kW
Your Monthly Payment
Estimated monthly cost with LightReach
$114/mo
As low as
$114/mo
Why Lease Solar?
Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.
  • No upfront investment
  • Palmetto handles all maintenance
  • 90% Production Guarantee
  • Comprehensive protection program included
03

Palmetto Reviews

04

Key Takeaways

  • Dallas sunshine supports rooftop solar, but roof condition, shade, energy use, and your electricity plan shape system output and value.
  • A typical 8.91 kW system is estimated at $25,222, with projected 25-year savings around $73,241; actual results vary.
  • Texas has no statewide solar buyback rate; export credits depend on your electricity provider, while eligible Oncor customers may qualify for incentives.
05

Dallas Electricity Prices

Electricity prices can change over time, making the cost of powering a Dallas home worth a closer look.

Texas residential electricity averaged 12.1 cents per kWh in 2021 and 14.9 cents in 2024. The U.S. average rose from 13.7 to 16.5 cents; these are statewide and national averages, not Dallas-specific rates.

For Dallas homeowners, solar may offset some electricity purchased from the grid. How much depends on system size, roof conditions, household energy use, and electricity-plan terms.

Over time, generating some electricity at home may help limit exposure to changing grid prices. A solar system’s long-term value varies with its production, costs, maintenance, and how the utility plan credits excess power.

Price of Energy: Texas vs National Average

0¢
10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
12.1¢
15.0¢
13.8¢
16.0¢
14.5¢
16.5¢
14.9¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Texas

Dallas Area Utility Providers

In Dallas, 2023 electricity rates were 12.8¢/kWh for CoServ and 14.1¢/kWh for Tri-County Electric Cooperative; 2024 utility data is not yet available.

Both providers’ rates were below Texas’s 2023 average of 14.50¢/kWh and the national average of 16.0¢/kWh. These figures show the difference, but do not explain what caused each provider’s rate.

For Dallas households, solar can generate electricity at home and reduce the amount purchased from a utility. Its value depends on system output, household energy use, and the applicable utility rate.

Dallas Utilities Electricity Rates

CoServ
12.80¢
-20%
Tri-County Electric Cooperative
14.10¢
-12%
TX Average
14.50¢
-9%
US Average
16.0¢
—
06

Texas Solar Incentives

Dallas homeowners may find state and utility incentives that help offset solar costs; eligibility and amounts vary. See solar incentives in Texas in the table below.

Oncor-served homeowners may qualify for up to $9,000 through an approved provider. CPS, TXU, and Gexa customers may receive event, twice-yearly, or monthly battery rewards. Texas exempts qualifying solar value from property taxes; export compensation depends on provider and plan.

Solar leasing through LightReach can simplify incentives: Palmetto handles the commercial investment tax credit and passes savings through lower monthly payments.

Incentive Type Description Source
Oncor 2026 Residential Solar Photovoltaic Incentive Utility Solar Rebate / Performance Incentive Oncor-served homeowners may qualify for a project-specific incentive of up to $9,000 for a new solar installation, with or without battery storage, through an approved participating provider. Learn More
TXU Energy Battery Rewards Battery Demand-Response Reward Eligible TXU Energy customers with rooftop solar and an Enphase battery may receive a $150 digital reward card every six months while enrolled and meeting program requirements. Learn More
Gexa Battery Benefits Battery Demand-Response Payment Published program information lists a $50 payment for each participating month for eligible Gexa customers with Enphase batteries who make their batteries available for peak-demand dispatch.
Texas Solar Property-Tax Exemption Property Tax Exemption Texas Tax Code §11.27 exempts the portion of appraised value attributable to a qualifying solar energy device used primarily to produce and distribute energy for on-site use. Learn More
Texas Solar Export Compensation and Net Metering Policy Net Billing / Utility-Specific Export Compensation Texas has no statewide net-metering mandate or uniform solar buyback rate; export compensation depends on the homeowner’s retail electricity provider and plan. Learn More

Oncor’s 2026 Solar Photovoltaic Program offers a variable, project-specific incentive of up to $9,000 for an eligible residential solar project. The incentive is paid to the participating service provider, so homeowners should obtain written confirmation of the amount that will be credited toward their project price.

The home must be in Oncor’s electric-delivery territory, and the project must use an approved participating provider and receive Oncor interconnection approval. The 2026 manual allows solar with or without storage; it limits residential system size to 20 kW DC or 75% of the site’s maximum demand over the prior 12 months, as applicable. Existing solar can make a site ineligible. Funds are limited, and the stated 2026 production-period deadline is November 30, 2026, so confirm availability and requirements before signing or beginning construction.

TXU Energy Battery Rewards offers a $150 digital reward card every six months to eligible enrolled customers, for up to $300 per year while they remain eligible. The program requires an eligible Enphase battery and rooftop solar; participants must keep at least 20% of battery capacity available under the stated program terms.

Participants make their battery available for dispatch during program events. TXU’s terms state that customers who do not participate in at least 90% of dispatch events may be unenrolled, and the customer must remain an active TXU Energy customer when a reward is fulfilled. Review current terms and confirm equipment eligibility before enrollment.

Published program information describes a $50 payment for each participating month for customers enrolled in Gexa Battery Benefits. The payment is tied to making an eligible Enphase battery available for Gexa’s peak-demand dispatch; it is not an upfront battery-purchase rebate.

Eligibility, enrollment availability, dispatch obligations, and payment conditions depend on the current Gexa program terms and the customer’s electricity plan. Confirm the details directly with Gexa before relying on the monthly amount. An official Gexa program link was not available in the supplied search results.

Texas Tax Code §11.27 provides a property-tax exemption for the increase in appraised value attributable to a qualifying solar energy device used primarily to produce and distribute energy for on-site use. This is not a cash rebate; it can reduce the taxable appraised value attributable to the qualifying equipment.

Homeowners generally apply through their county appraisal district using the Comptroller’s Form 50-123 and should check local filing procedures and documentation requirements. A battery’s eligibility may depend on whether it qualifies as part of a solar energy device and on the appraisal district’s application of the law, so do not assume every battery installation qualifies automatically.

Texas does not provide a statewide net-metering program or a uniform required buyback rate for residential solar exports. The financial value of electricity sent to the grid depends on the retail electricity provider and the specific plan available at the home, rather than being set by a single statewide solar credit.

Before choosing a plan, homeowners should review the written export-credit rate, how credits are calculated and carried forward, whether credits expire, and whether delivery charges or other fees apply. In Oncor territory, Oncor handles electric delivery and interconnection, while the retail provider determines the plan’s export-compensation terms.

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 Quote
07

Dallas 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.

Dallas’ abundant sunshine supports solar, though summer storms, cloud cover, and shorter winter days affect monthly output. With the right system, even changeable-weather cities can produce useful solar energy.

Solar Production in Dallas by Month

Daylight Hours
Energy Production (kWh/day)

What Can Your Solar System Power?

Summer Production (July)

[SummerProduction] kWh/day

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)

[WinterProduction] kWh/day

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

[AnnualProduction] kWh/year

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 Estimate
08

Solar Panel Systems in Dallas

We’ve organized solar installation data from across the country to create this interactive map of Dallas. Explore the hexagons to see how many solar installations are in each area and discover neighborhoods and communities where your neighbors have made the switch to solar.

09

How to Choose a Solar Installer in Dallas

Verify the license

Texas does not have a separate general solar-installer license. Non-exempt electrical work must be performed through a licensed electrical contractor, and covered residential solar installation contracts must provide for installation by one. Ask which electrical contractor is responsible for your project, then check the name in the TDLR license search. Since September 1, 2026, residential solar retailers and salespeople generally must also register with TDLR, subject to exemptions. Confirm who is selling and who is doing the electrical work.

Look for certified installers

Ask whether the people who will design or install your system hold NABCEP credentials, and check NABCEP’s certification information. Ask what each credential covers and who holds it; also ask whether the installer has manufacturer certifications for the panels or inverter in your proposal. These credentials are separate from the Texas electrical-contractor license, so consider them alongside—not instead of—checking the license and contract.

Compare quotes the same way

Request the same details from each installer so you can compare like with like. Put the answers side by side:

  • System size: quoted capacity in kilowatts (kW), and price per watt.
  • Equipment: panel and inverter brands and models.
  • Expected production: estimated kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/year); ask what assumptions the estimate uses and have differences explained.
  • Warranty terms: panel product and performance, inverter, workmanship, and roof penetrations. Compare coverage, exclusions, and who handles a claim.
  • Project responsibilities: who obtains permits and manages utility interconnection, and what is included in the price.
  • Payment: total cost or monthly payment, plus any escalator and how it affects payments over time.

Ask each company to put its answers and any promised timeline in writing. Do not compare monthly payments alone if the agreement terms differ.

Permits, interconnection and your HOA

Building and electrical permits and inspections are handled by the local authority with jurisdiction, so the office and requirements depend on your address. The electric utility serving your home handles interconnection. Ask the installer to identify that utility and explain the steps; customers connected with cooperatives or municipally owned utilities may encounter utility-specific requirements. Depending on your service, names you may need to clarify include Reliant Energy Retail Services, TXU Energy Retail Co, LLC, City of San Antonio, or Austin Energy. Texas generally bars property owners’ associations from prohibiting or restricting solar energy devices, with statutory exceptions. Review the applicable requirements and ask the installer to help you address them.

Red flags

  • Pressure to sign the same day, before you can review the contract and compare written quotes.
  • An installer who cannot identify the licensed electrical contractor responsible for the work, or crews whose qualifications and responsibility are unclear—including out-of-state crews.
  • A vague production estimate without a clear annual kWh figure or explanation.
  • A large upfront deposit without a clear written payment schedule and explanation of what it covers.
  • Promises of a federal homeowner tax credit for a 2026 purchase: homeowner credits ended December 31, 2025.
10

Leasing Solar Panels

For eligible Dallas-area homes in Oncor Energy’s service territory, Palmetto offers a solar power purchase agreement (PPA). With a PPA, you pay a set price per kilowatt-hour the panels produce, rather than a fixed monthly lease payment. PPA bills may be higher in sunny summer months and lower in winter.

Compared with paying cash, a PPA can avoid the large upfront system purchase. The provider owns the system and handles maintenance under the agreement, so you don’t take on those tasks yourself. Review the contract for payment terms, coverage, and responsibilities.

Lease and PPA costs may be similar when averaged over a year, though their monthly billing differs. Learn more about buying or leasing solar and Palmetto LightReach.

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!

Explore LightReach Leasing
11

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Dallas does not have traditional 1:1 net metering. Oncor delivers electricity in much of Dallas, but your retail electricity provider sets the terms for crediting solar power sent to the grid.

For example, Shell Energy’s Buyback Plan credits exports at 7 cents per kWh, applies credits to the current bill, and carries unused credits forward in a buyback bank. Check your provider’s current plan for its export rate, fees, and credit-expiration rules.

Yes—owned solar panels may increase a Dallas home’s resale value. Zillow’s study found homes with solar sold for about 4.1% more on average. That is not a guaranteed Dallas premium; results vary. Read Zillow’s study.

This potential value applies to systems the homeowner owns, such as purchased panels—not leased or third-party-owned systems. Resale may work differently with a lease or PPA because the buyer may need to assume the agreement, depending on its terms.

In Dallas, homeowners can go solar with a LightReach lease for a low fixed monthly payment and no upfront cost. The calculator estimates $114 per month for a typical 8.91-kW system; payments vary by home size.

A cash purchase for that typical system is estimated at $25,222. The federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases following the 2025 federal law change. See the calculator above for estimates based on your home size.

With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Dallas homeowners pay no upfront cost and make one monthly payment. A typical 8.91 kW system is estimated at $114/month, calculated using Texas’s 1,339 kWh/kW/year production ratio and a $0.115/kWh rate.

It covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and comprehensive protection, including a 90% Production Guarantee. Payments are typically below the current electricity bill, so savings can start when the system is active; actual bills vary with usage and electricity-plan terms.

Oncor-served Dallas homeowners may qualify for up to $9,000 through an approved 2026 provider; funds and eligibility vary. Texas exempts the added appraised value of qualifying solar from property taxes. Eligible TXU or Gexa customers may receive battery rewards. Export credits depend on the electricity plan; Texas has no statewide net-metering rate.

After the 2025 federal law change, the 30% tax credit is unavailable for cash purchases. With LightReach leasing, Palmetto claims the commercial ITC and passes savings through lower payments.

Yes. Solar panels work in Dallas, where the guide estimates an average of 5.4 peak sun hours per day. They also produce electricity on cloudy days using diffuse daylight, though output is lower than in direct sun.

Production changes with the seasons: Dallas has longer summer days and shorter winter days, while storms and cloud cover can reduce output. A 10 kW system is estimated to produce about 50 kWh per day in July versus 31.9 kWh per day in December.

Solar can be financially worthwhile in Dallas when system production and electricity-plan credits make costs lower than the power it replaces. Results depend on your roof, energy use, utility rate, and compensation for excess electricity.

With LightReach, there’s no upfront investment, and homeowners can start saving from day one because the monthly lease payment is typically less than their current electricity bill. Actual savings vary, and some utility charges may remain.