Round Rock, TX Solar Panels
Solar Power in Round Rock
Round Rock homeowners are exploring solar energy as a practical option for managing rising electricity costs. With Texas electricity prices increasing 28% from 2020 to 2024, understanding how solar panels for home use work has become increasingly relevant.
This guide covers what you need to know about solar installation in Round Rock—from local incentives to system considerations for your home.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Round Rock, TX?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Round Rock homes—including neighborhoods like Forest Creek, Teravista, and Brushy Creek—to show you accurate solar costs. Get personalized estimates based on actual local projects, not generic numbers.
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Savings
You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Round Rock receives 5.4 peak sun hours daily with over 230 sunny days annually, making it an excellent location for solar energy production.
- Texas electricity rates increased 23% from 2021 to 2024 while solar provides fixed energy costs, helping homeowners stabilize their monthly expenses.
- A typical 10 kW system in Round Rock generates about 15,128 kWh annually and can save homeowners approximately $80,000 over 25 years.
Round Rock Electricity Prices
Understanding your electricity costs is the first step in evaluating whether solar makes sense for your Round Rock home.
Texas electricity rates have climbed from 12.1 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.9 cents in 2024—a 23% increase in just three years that directly impacts your monthly budget.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, helping homeowners stabilize their energy expenses. Once your system is installed, sunlight becomes your primary power source, reducing your reliance on grid electricity.
Over 25 years, solar systems can provide predictable energy costs while utility rates continue fluctuating. This long-term stability helps Round Rock families plan their household budgets with greater confidence.
Price of Energy: Texas vs National Average
Round Rock Area Utility Providers
Round Rock residents have access to competitive electricity rates through three primary utility providers. Based on 2023 data, Austin Energy averages 13.0¢ per kWh, while Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and Pedernales Electric Cooperative charge 11.1¢ and 11.7¢ respectively.
These rates sit below both the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh and the Texas state average of 14.5¢ per kWh, reflecting the region’s diverse energy mix and cooperative utility structures that prioritize member savings.
While current rates are favorable, Texas electricity prices have risen significantly in recent years. Solar panels allow homeowners to lock in predictable energy costs and reduce dependence on utility rate fluctuations over time.
Round Rock Utilities Electricity Rates
Texas Solar Incentives
Round Rock residents have access to state and local solar incentives in Texas that help reduce the upfront cost of solar installation.
Texas offers a property tax exemption that prevents your home’s assessed value from increasing when you install solar panels. Additionally, net metering policies allow many homeowners to receive credits for excess energy their systems produce.
These incentives can change as policies evolve. Research current programs thoroughly and consider acting while these benefits remain available to maximize your solar investment.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Texas offers a property tax exemption for homeowners who install solar or wind-powered energy devices on their property. This exemption prevents your local appraisal district from adding the value of your solar or wind energy system to your property’s assessed value for tax purposes. Without this exemption, installing solar panels could increase your home’s appraised value and result in higher property taxes. With the exemption, you only pay property taxes on your home’s value as if the solar system wasn’t there, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars annually depending on your system’s value and local tax rates.
To qualify for this exemption, you must own the solar or wind energy device and it must be installed on property you own in Texas. You’ll need to file Form 50-123 (Exemption Application for Solar or Wind-Powered Energy Devices) with your county appraisal district. The general deadline for filing is before May 1st, though you should contact your local appraisal district to confirm specific requirements and timing. This exemption applies to all local taxing units in Texas, including school districts, cities, and counties. The exemption remains in effect as long as you own the property and the energy device, making it a valuable long-term benefit for homeowners investing in renewable energy.
Net metering and net billing policies in Texas vary significantly by utility provider, as the state does not have a statewide net metering mandate. Instead, each utility company sets its own rules for how solar homeowners are credited for excess electricity their systems send back to the grid. Understanding your specific utility’s policy is essential for estimating your solar savings.
Most Texas utilities offer one of three approaches: Monthly Net Metering, where your solar production is netted against your consumption each month on a 1:1 basis (though excess credits typically don’t roll over); Net Billing with Export Credits, where exports are credited at a lower rate than retail (typically 5-8 cents per kWh); or Buy-All, Sell-All programs like Austin Energy’s Value of Solar. In deregulated areas served by transmission and distribution utilities (TDUs) like Oncor, CenterPoint, and AEP Texas, you’ll need to enroll with a Retail Energy Provider (REP) like Shell Energy or Green Mountain Energy, which offer buyback programs crediting exports at around 7 cents per kWh as of April 2024.
Eligibility is generally available to residential customers who install qualifying solar systems and complete their utility’s interconnection process. Some utilities charge additional monthly fees for solar customers (ranging from $4.95 to $30 per month), while others like Grayson Collin Electric Cooperative offer true 1:1 net metering with credits that roll over year to year. Most programs settle monthly, meaning any excess credits beyond what you consume are either forfeited, paid out at the avoided cost rate, or—in some cases with TDU/REP arrangements—stored in a “buyback bank” until December when they’re forfeited without payout.
It’s important to note that export credit rates can change. For example, Shell Energy reduced its buyback rate from 15 cents to 7 cents per kWh in April 2024, and many cooperative utilities adjust their rates annually based on wholesale power costs. Before going solar, contact your specific utility provider to confirm current rates, fees, and program details, as these policies directly impact your return on investment and monthly savings.
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 QuoteRound Rock 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.
Round Rock enjoys abundant Texas sunshine year-round, with over 230 sunny days annually. While summer heat peaks production, even cooler months generate strong solar output, making it ideal for solar energy.
Solar Production in Round Rock 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 Round Rock
We’ve mapped every solar installation across the United States to help you explore your local solar community. This interactive heatmap shows Round Rock neighborhoods where homeowners have already made the switch to clean energy. Click any hexagon to see how many installations are in that area.
Leasing Solar Panels
Round Rock homeowners have flexible financing options for going solar. Most residents in the area are served by utilities that offer either solar leasing or Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), depending on their specific utility provider. Common service areas include Pedernales Electric Cooperative (lease available), Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative (lease available), and Austin Energy (no third-party financing available).
With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount regardless of how much electricity your panels produce. A PPA charges you only for the power your system generates at a set rate per kilowatt-hour. Both options eliminate upfront costs and include system maintenance, making solar accessible without the investment of purchasing panels outright. Through Palmetto’s LightReach program, you can start saving on electricity immediately while we handle installation, monitoring, and upkeep.
These financing options let you benefit from solar energy without managing equipment or worrying about repairs. Your monthly solar payment often costs less than your previous utility bill, providing savings from day one while supporting clean energy in Round Rock.
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 Round Rock. With 5.4 peak sun hours daily and over 230 sunny days annually, the area provides excellent conditions for solar energy production. Texas electricity rates have increased 23% from 2021 to 2024, making solar’s fixed energy costs increasingly valuable.
A typical 10 kW system generates about 15,128 kWh annually and can save homeowners approximately $80,000 over 25 years. Combined with Texas property tax exemptions and local net metering policies, solar offers both immediate bill reduction and long-term financial benefits for Round Rock residents.
Round Rock residents have access to net metering and net billing programs that vary by utility provider. Most homes in the area are served by Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, or Austin Energy, each with different policies.
Pedernales and Bluebonnet offer net billing with export credits around 6-8 cents per kWh, where excess solar production is credited at the utility’s avoided cost rate. Austin Energy uses a Value of Solar program that credits all production at 9.91 cents per kWh. Credits typically settle monthly without rollover, so system sizing matters for maximizing savings.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Round Rock. Research shows that homes with solar systems sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar, according to Zillow’s analysis of home sales across the United States.
In Round Rock’s housing market, this translates to meaningful added value. Additionally, Texas offers a property tax exemption for solar installations, meaning your home’s assessed value won’t increase for tax purposes even though market value does—giving you the best of both worlds when it comes time to sell.
Solar installation costs in Round Rock vary by home size. A typical medium home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) needs a 9.72 kW system costing approximately $27,296, or $2.81 per watt.
Smaller homes under 2,000 sq ft average $20,256 for a 6.97 kW system, while larger homes over 3,000 sq ft cost around $35,795 for a 13.04 kW system. These prices reflect actual installations in the Round Rock area and include equipment, labor, and permitting.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Round Rock. A typical 10 kW system costs around $27,296 and generates approximately $183 in monthly savings, leading to a payback period of about 10.6 years.
Over 25 years, homeowners can save approximately $80,000 while benefiting from Texas property tax exemptions and stable energy costs. With electricity rates rising 23% since 2021 and Round Rock’s excellent solar conditions (5.4 peak sun hours daily), solar provides both immediate bill reduction and long-term financial value.
We’re proud to serve Round Rock homeowners with quality solar installations. Since 2020, we’ve completed 3,810 installations across Texas, bringing our national expertise to your local community.
We offer flexible financing options and work with trusted local installation partners to ensure your system is installed professionally. Our team handles everything from design to permitting to activation, making your transition to solar straightforward and hassle-free.