Fort Worth, TX Solar Panels
Solar Power in Fort Worth
Texas electricity prices have risen 28% since 2020, and Fort Worth homeowners are taking notice. With Texas ranking 7th in the nation for residential solar installations, it’s clear that more people are turning to solar to bring greater predictability to their monthly energy bills.
Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to move forward, Palmetto has helped homeowners across the country navigate this process. This guide covers everything you need to know about solar panels for your home — including what to realistically expect in Fort Worth.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Fort Worth, TX?
Based on real installations across Fort Worth and surrounding areas — from Keller and Mansfield to Burleson and Weatherford — this calculator uses Palmetto’s local data to give you an accurate estimate of what solar installation could cost for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Fort Worth homeowners can save an average of $81,000 over 25 years by switching to solar, with a typical payback period of around 10 years.
- Texas electricity prices have risen 23% since 2021 — solar panels help Fort Worth homeowners generate their own power and bring more stability to monthly energy costs.
- Fort Worth enjoys over 229 sunny days per year and strong local incentives, including a 100% property tax exemption and an Oncor rebate worth up to $9,000.
Fort Worth Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Texas have been rising steadily — and Fort Worth homeowners are seeing it in their monthly bills.
In 2021, Texans paid about 12.1 cents per kWh for electricity. By 2024, that figure reached 14.9 cents — a roughly 23% increase in just three years.
Solar panels allow homeowners to generate their own electricity. That means relying less on the grid — and less on utility rates that can change year over year.
Most residential solar systems are built to last 25 years or more. Over that span, producing your own power can bring more stability to your energy costs over time.
Price of Energy: Texas vs National Average
Fort Worth Area Utility Providers
Fort Worth residents are served primarily by two local electric cooperatives — Denton County Electric Cooperative and Tri-County Electric Cooperative. Understanding what each charges per kilowatt-hour (kWh) can help you make smarter energy decisions.
According to 2023 data, both local providers charge below the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh. Denton County Electric Cooperative comes in at 12.8¢, while Tri-County Electric Cooperative sits at 14.1¢ — both near or below Texas’ 2023 state average of 14.50¢.
Even at these relatively modest rates, electricity costs can add up — especially as rates shift over time. Homeowners who go solar often benefit from greater long-term predictability in their energy costs compared to variable utility pricing.
Fort Worth Utilities Electricity Rates
Texas Solar Incentives
Fort Worth homeowners can access several solar incentives in Texas to help offset installation costs, including a statewide property tax exemption and a local Oncor rebate worth up to $9,000.
Texas exempts 100% of the added home value from a solar installation from property taxes. Oncor also offers Fort Worth-area residents up to $9,000 when pairing solar with battery storage — one of the more significant local incentives available.
Note: the federal residential solar tax credit was eliminated by the Big Beautiful Bill. State and local incentives still apply. Palmetto’s LightReach leasing option simplifies this landscape — Palmetto handles the commercial ITC and passes savings through lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Solar Property Tax Exemption | Property Tax Exemption | Texas homeowners receive a 100% property tax exemption on the added home value from a solar installation under TX Tax Code Section 11.27. | Learn More |
| Texas Solar Energy Devices Franchise Tax Exemption | Tax Credit | Texas businesses can deduct the cost of a solar energy device from their state franchise tax liability. | Learn More |
| Oncor Residential Solar + Storage Program | Rebate | Oncor offers residential solar incentives of up to $9,000 for customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who install a solar PV system (3–15 kW) paired with a battery storage system. | Learn More |
| Tesla Electric Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Program | Rebate | Powerwall owners in Oncor’s service territory can earn a $10/month electric bill credit by enrolling their battery in Tesla Electric’s Virtual Power Plant program. | |
| Texas Solar Rights Protection (HOA Solar Access Law) | Net Metering | Texas law prohibits HOAs, municipalities, and other entities from preventing homeowners from installing rooftop solar panels. | Learn More |
Under Texas Tax Code Section 11.27, the added value that a solar energy system brings to your home is 100% exempt from property tax assessments. Since solar panels can increase a home’s market value by $15,000–$25,000, this exemption can save homeowners an estimated $400–$600 per year in property taxes — potentially more than $10,000 over the lifetime of the system.
To qualify, the solar system must be owned (not leased) and primarily used to produce and distribute energy consumed on-site. Eligible systems include solar photovoltaic panels for electricity generation as well as solar thermal devices such as solar water heaters. The exemption has been available to Texas homeowners since 1978 and applies statewide.
To receive the exemption on your tax bill, residents of Fort Worth must file Form 50-123 with your county appraisal district by April 30 of the tax year. This is a permanent, ongoing benefit — one of the most valuable solar incentives available to Texas homeowners in 2026.
Texas law allows businesses to deduct the full cost of a qualifying solar energy device from their state franchise tax. This incentive is designed for commercial and business entities — not individual residential homeowners — and can meaningfully reduce the upfront cost of a commercial solar installation.
Qualifying solar energy devices include systems that convert solar energy into thermal, mechanical, or electrical energy, as well as systems that store or distribute that converted energy. This makes both solar PV systems and solar thermal installations eligible for the deduction.
Businesses considering a solar installation should consult a tax professional to determine how this deduction interacts with other business tax strategies. For more details, visit the Texas Comptroller’s franchise tax page or contact the Comptroller’s office directly.
Oncor Electric Delivery’s Residential Solar Program provides incentives for homeowners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and other parts of Oncor’s service territory. As of 2026, the program requires that solar installations be paired with a battery energy storage system to qualify. The solar system must be between 3 kW and 15 kW (DC) in size, and the estimated incentive can reach up to $9,000 for larger systems with significant storage capacity.
The exact rebate amount is not publicly disclosed and depends on multiple factors including system size, battery capacity, and installation details. The $9,000 figure represents the upper end of the incentive range for qualifying solar-plus-storage systems. Both residential and commercial customers in Oncor’s territory may be eligible.
To apply or get a precise incentive estimate, visit the official program website at takealoadofftexas.com or contact Oncor directly. Because this program requires battery pairing, homeowners in Fort Worth should factor battery costs into their overall system budget when evaluating the net financial benefit.
Tesla Electric offers a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program for Powerwall owners in select areas of Oncor’s service territory in Texas. Participants receive a $10 per month electric bill credit in exchange for allowing Tesla to discharge their Powerwall’s stored energy back to the grid during periods of high demand or grid stress.
To participate, homeowners must use Tesla Electric as their Retail Electricity Provider (REP) and own a Tesla Powerwall battery system. The program is designed to support grid reliability on the ERCOT grid while providing Powerwall owners with a modest ongoing financial benefit that helps offset the cost of their battery investment.
This program is particularly relevant given Texas’ history of grid reliability challenges. Homeowners in Fort Worth interested in enrolling should visit Tesla’s website or contact Tesla Energy directly to confirm current eligibility, service territory coverage, and enrollment steps.
Texas has strong solar access protections enshrined in state law that prevent homeowners associations (HOAs), municipalities, villages, and other private entities from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting the installation of rooftop solar panels. This means that even if your HOA has aesthetic guidelines, it cannot outright ban solar installations on your home.
While HOAs may still impose reasonable restrictions related to placement or appearance — such as requiring panels not to be visible from the street — they cannot use these rules as a de facto ban on solar. This protection gives Texas homeowners the legal right to go solar regardless of their HOA’s preferences, removing a common barrier to adoption.
If you believe your HOA is unlawfully restricting your ability to install solar panels, you may wish to consult the relevant sections of the Texas Property Code or seek legal advice. This protection applies statewide and is an important foundational right for all Fort Worth solar homeowners.
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 QuoteFort Worth 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.
Fort Worth enjoys over 229 sunny days annually, with hot summers boosting solar production significantly. Even during mild winters or stormy spring months, a well-designed system performs reliably year-round.
Solar Production in Fort Worth 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 Panel Systems in Fort Worth
We mapped every solar installation in Fort Worth so you can see just how many of your neighbors have already made the switch. Explore the map below to discover which communities and neighborhoods are leading the way in clean energy adoption across Fort Worth.
Leasing Solar Panels
Fort Worth homeowners served by Oncor Energy (Dallas) have access to Palmetto’s LightReach program through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). With a PPA, you pay only for the solar energy your panels produce — at a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour — rather than a flat monthly fee. Because Fort Worth summers are long and sunny, your system produces more energy (and delivers more savings) during peak months, with lower payments in winter when production dips.
Compared to purchasing a system outright, a PPA removes the need for any upfront investment. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so you’re never responsible for repairs, monitoring, or performance issues. There’s no large capital outlay to recoup, and no surprise maintenance bills. You simply pay for the clean energy your panels generate — often at a rate below what you’d pay the utility.
To understand how a PPA compares to other options, including a traditional cash purchase, Palmetto’s buy vs. lease guide walks through the key differences in plain language. For most Fort Worth homeowners who want predictable energy costs without the responsibilities of ownership, a LightReach PPA is a straightforward way to start benefiting from solar right away.
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 strong sense for Fort Worth homeowners. With over 229 sunny days per year, 5.5 peak sun hours daily, and Texas electricity prices up 23% since 2021, the conditions are favorable. A typical system can save around $81,000 over 25 years, with a payback period near 10 years. Local incentives like the Oncor rebate (up to $9,000) and Texas’ 100% property tax exemption add further value.
If upfront cost is a concern, Palmetto’s LightReach lease program removes that barrier entirely — Fort Worth homeowners can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one.
Fort Worth is served by Oncor Energy, which does not offer traditional net metering. Instead, Oncor uses a Net Billing (Export Credit) program through Shell Energy’s Buyback Plan. Excess solar energy exported to the grid is credited at 7 cents per kWh (as of April 2024), applied to reduce your current month’s bill. Unused credits roll over monthly but are forfeited each December without a cash payout.
Shell Energy also charges a $4.95/month fixed fee in addition to Oncor’s standard delivery charges. While this differs from traditional 1:1 net metering, Fort Worth homeowners can still meaningfully offset their electricity costs — especially during Texas’ long, sunny summers when solar production is highest.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home’s value in Fort Worth. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a $350,000 home in Fort Worth, that could mean roughly $14,350 in added value.
Texas also makes this benefit even more attractive through its 100% property tax exemption on the added home value from a solar installation — meaning Fort Worth homeowners can benefit from a higher resale value without paying more in property taxes.
For Fort Worth homeowners, the most accessible way to go solar is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — starting as low as $89/month with no upfront cost. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there’s nothing out of pocket to get started.
For those preferring a cash purchase, a typical 9.72 kW system runs around $27,296. Note that the federal 30% residential solar tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the solar cost calculator above for a personalized estimate based on your home size.
For many Fort Worth homeowners, solar can be financially worthwhile — especially with a lease option. With Palmetto’s LightReach program, there’s no upfront cost. Your monthly lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, meaning you can start saving from day one.
For those who purchase outright, a typical system saves around $81,000 over 25 years, with a payback period near 10 years. With Texas electricity rates up 23% since 2021, locking in a predictable energy cost makes financial sense for most Fort Worth households.
Palmetto Solar is a strong choice for Fort Worth homeowners. As a national company with a local focus, we’ve completed 3,810 installations across Texas since 2020 and serve 20,000+ customers across 31 states with an approval rating over 85%.
We offer some of the best financing options in the industry, including our LightReach lease — starting as low as $89/month with no upfront cost. Our vetted install network handles everything from permitting to activation, so Fort Worth homeowners can go solar with confidence.
Palmetto’s LightReach is an all-inclusive solar lease — one monthly payment covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. There is no upfront cost. For a typical 9.72 kW system in Fort Worth, the estimated monthly lease payment is approximately $125/month, based on Texas’ production ratio of 1,339 kWh/kW/year at $0.115/kWh.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes those savings to homeowners through lower monthly payments — an advantage over cash purchases, where the residential ITC was eliminated. Most Fort Worth homeowners find the lease payment is less than their current electricity bill, so savings begin from day one.