Solar Guide
Solar in Fort Worth
Fort Worth homeowners are turning to solar energy as Texas electricity prices have increased 28% from 2020 to 2024. With North Texas receiving abundant sunshine year-round, solar installation offers a practical solution for rising energy costs.
Understanding your home solar panel options is the first step toward clean energy independence for your Fort Worth property.
Key Takeaways
- Fort Worth receives excellent solar irradiance year-round with peak production in summer months, making solar panels highly effective in North Texas.
- Texas offers property tax exemptions for solar installations plus a 30% federal tax credit, reducing system costs significantly.
- Solar systems in Fort Worth typically pay for themselves in 7.6 years while providing 25+ years of clean energy savings.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our Fort Worth solar cost calculator uses real installation data from neighborhoods like Arlington, Plano, and Irving. Get accurate pricing estimates based on actual local projects, not generic estimates.
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Fort Worth Electricity Prices
Understanding Fort Worth’s electricity costs helps homeowners make informed decisions about their energy future and monthly expenses.
Texas electricity rates have 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 Fort Worth homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing dependence on the grid and protecting against future rate increases.
Over 25 years, solar systems can provide predictable energy costs while traditional electricity rates continue rising, offering long-term financial stability.
Price of Energy: Texas vs National Average
Fort Worth Area Utility Providers
Fort Worth residents benefit from competitive electricity rates through local cooperatives. In 2023, Denton County Electric Cooperative charged 12.8¢ per kWh while Tri-County Electric Cooperative charged 14.1¢ per kWh.
Both cooperatives offer rates below the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh. Denton County’s rates also fall below Texas’ state average of 14.5¢ per kWh, providing Fort Worth area residents with relatively affordable electricity.
Even with competitive utility rates, solar panels can provide long-term energy cost stability. Solar installations protect homeowners from future rate increases while reducing dependence on the electrical grid over time.
Fort Worth Utilities Electricity Rates
Texas Solar Incentives
Fort Worth residents can reduce solar installation costs through valuable solar incentives in Texas and federal programs designed to support clean energy adoption.
Texas offers property tax exemptions that prevent solar installations from increasing your home’s taxable value, while net metering policies allow you to earn credits for excess energy production.
These incentives can change over time, so researching current programs and acting promptly ensures maximum savings for your solar investment.
$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. This benefit can result in significant long-term savings, as property taxes in Texas are locally assessed and can vary considerably by location, making the actual dollar savings dependent on your local tax rates and your system’s added property value.
Net metering in Texas varies significantly by utility company, with most areas offering either traditional net metering or net billing (export credit) programs. Traditional net metering allows you to receive a 1:1 credit for excess solar energy you send to the grid, meaning each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power you don’t use immediately gets credited at the same rate you pay for electricity. Net billing programs, which are more common in Texas, credit your excess solar production at a lower rate – typically between 3-8 cents per kWh depending on your utility.
The financial benefits depend on your specific utility company and location. For example, CPS Energy in San Antonio offers monthly net metering with credits of about 2 cents per kWh in summer and 1.65 cents in winter. Many utilities served by major transmission companies like CenterPoint Energy (Houston) and Oncor Energy (Dallas) participate in Shell Energy’s buyback program, which credits excess solar at 7 cents per kWh as of April 2024. Some cooperative utilities like Grayson Collin Electric offer true 1:1 net metering with credits that can roll over year to year.
Most programs settle monthly, meaning any excess credits are either rolled to the next month or forfeited at year-end in December. Some utilities charge additional monthly fees for solar customers, ranging from $4.95 to $30 per month. It’s important to check with your specific utility company to understand their exact net metering or net billing policy, as Texas’ deregulated energy market creates different rules for different service areas.
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’s hot summers and mild winters create excellent solar conditions. Despite occasional storms and clouds, proper system design maximizes year-round energy production.
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 Installations in Fort Worth
We’ve mapped every solar installation across the United States to show Fort Worth’s growing solar community. Explore this interactive heatmap to discover which neighborhoods have embraced clean energy and see how your community is leading the solar revolution.
Leasing Solar Panels
Fort Worth residents have access to Palmetto’s LightReach program, which offers solar leasing options for homeowners served by Oncor Energy (Dallas). With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount while Palmetto handles all system maintenance and monitoring.
Solar leasing eliminates the upfront investment typically required for solar installation. Instead of purchasing panels outright, you can start saving on electricity costs immediately without worrying about system maintenance, repairs, or performance monitoring.
This approach works well for homeowners who want predictable monthly energy costs and professional system management. Learn more about leasing versus buying to determine which option best fits your financial goals and home ownership plans.
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 sense in Fort Worth. The city receives excellent solar irradiance year-round, with systems typically paying for themselves in 7.6 years while providing 25+ years of clean energy savings.
Fort Worth homeowners benefit from Texas property tax exemptions for solar installations, plus the 30% federal tax credit. With electricity rates rising 28% from 2020 to 2024, solar provides long-term protection against future rate increases.
Fort Worth doesn’t have traditional net metering, but residents can earn credits for excess solar energy through net billing programs. Most Fort Worth areas are served by Oncor Energy, which participates in Shell Energy’s buyback program.
Through this program, excess solar energy is credited at 7 cents per kWh as of April 2024. Credits roll over monthly and help reduce future electric bills, though they’re forfeited each December without payout.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Fort Worth. Research shows that solar installations can boost property values by approximately 4% on average, according to Zillow’s analysis.
Texas property tax exemptions mean Fort Worth homeowners won’t pay additional taxes on their solar system’s added value. This creates a financial advantage where your home gains value without increasing your annual tax burden.
Solar costs in Fort Worth range from $14,179 to $25,057 after federal tax credits, depending on your home size and energy needs. A typical medium-sized home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) requires a 9.72 kW system costing approximately $19,107 after incentives.
System costs include panels, inverters, installation, and permits. The 30% federal tax credit reduces costs significantly, while Texas property tax exemptions prevent solar from increasing your annual tax burden.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Fort Worth. With systems paying for themselves in 7.6 years and providing 25+ years of savings, most homeowners see positive returns on their investment.
Fort Worth residents save an average of $186 monthly on electricity bills, totaling $81,466 over 25 years. Combined with federal tax credits and Texas property tax exemptions, solar provides substantial long-term financial benefits.
We believe Palmetto is the best solar company in Fort Worth, TX. As a national company with local focus, we’ve completed 3,810 installations across Texas since 2020, demonstrating our commitment to the state’s clean energy future.
We offer competitive financing options and work with trusted local installation partners to ensure quality service. Our comprehensive approach includes system design, permitting, installation, and ongoing support to make your solar journey straightforward and reliable.