Solar Guide
Solar in Round Rock
Round Rock residents are discovering solar energy benefits as Texas electricity prices increased 28% from 2020 to 2024. With abundant sunshine and rising costs, now is ideal for exploring how solar panels for your home can deliver substantial savings.
This guide covers everything about solar installation in Round Rock, from local incentives to choosing the right system for your home.
Key Takeaways
- Round Rock receives excellent solar irradiance with over 280 sunny days annually, making it ideal for solar energy production.
- Texas offers a 30% federal tax credit plus property tax exemptions that can save thousands on solar installations.
- Solar systems typically pay for themselves in 7-8 years while providing 25+ years of energy savings.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our calculator uses real installation data from Round Rock neighborhoods like Georgetown, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville. Get accurate solar costs based on actual local projects, not generic estimates.
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Round Rock Electricity Prices
Understanding Round Rock, TX electricity costs helps homeowners make informed energy decisions as rates continue climbing statewide.
Texas electricity rates jumped from 12.1 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.9 cents in 2024, creating higher monthly bills for Round Rock families.
Solar panels generate electricity from abundant Texas sunshine, helping homeowners reduce dependence on the traditional grid and rising utility rates over time.
With a typical 25-year warranty, solar systems provide decades of predictable energy costs while traditional electricity rates continue their upward trend.
Price of Energy: Texas vs National Average
Round Rock Area Utility Providers
Round Rock residents benefit from competitive electricity rates through three main utility providers. Austin Energy, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, and Pedernales Electric Cooperative all offer below-average pricing compared to national standards.
Based on 2023 data, local utilities charged between 11.1¢ and 13.0¢ per kWh, significantly lower than the national average of 16.0¢ and state average of 14.50¢ per kWh.
While Round Rock enjoys competitive rates today, solar installation provides long-term price stability and protection against future utility increases, potentially saving thousands over decades.
Round Rock Utilities Electricity Rates
Texas Solar Incentives
Round Rock residents can reduce solar installation costs through solar incentives in Texas and federal programs designed to make clean energy more affordable.
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 understanding eligibility requirements helps maximize your potential 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 system 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 exemption is administered locally by each county’s appraisal district, so specific requirements and processes may vary slightly by location. It’s important to contact your local appraisal district for detailed information about eligibility requirements and to ensure you complete the application process correctly and on time.
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 first power your home directly, helping you avoid purchasing electricity at retail rates. Any excess energy your system produces is then sent to the grid, where you receive credits that reduce your monthly electric bill.
The financial benefits depend on your specific utility company and location. Most Texas utilities offer export credits ranging from 3-8 cents per kilowatt-hour for excess solar energy sent to the grid. Some utilities like CPS Energy and Austin Energy provide more favorable terms, while others like Shell Energy’s Buyback Plan (serving multiple transmission companies) offers 7 cents per kWh with monthly rollover until December. Many utilities also charge additional monthly fees for solar customers, typically ranging from $10-30 per month, which should be factored into your savings calculations.
Eligibility requirements and program details vary by utility, but most programs are available to residential customers who install qualifying solar systems. Some utilities have specific application processes or interconnection requirements. Important considerations include that most programs settle monthly with no annual payout, and excess credits are often forfeited at the end of each calendar year. Before installing solar, contact your specific utility company to understand their current net metering or net billing policies, as these programs can change and may have capacity limits or waiting lists.
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’s hot summers and mild winters create excellent solar conditions year-round. Despite occasional cloud cover, proper system design maximizes energy production effectively.
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 Installations in Round Rock
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to show you something exciting: your Round Rock neighbors are embracing clean energy! Click any hexagon to discover how many homes in that area have made the switch to solar.
Leasing Solar Panels
Round Rock residents have access to solar leasing through Palmetto’s LightReach program, which is available for customers served by Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, and several other Texas utilities.
With LightReach, you pay a fixed monthly lease payment instead of purchasing the system outright. This means no upfront costs, no maintenance responsibilities, and immediate savings on your electricity bills without the need to secure financing or manage system repairs.
The main benefit of leasing versus buying is eliminating the initial investment and ongoing maintenance concerns. While you won’t receive tax credits directly, you also won’t need to handle system monitoring, repairs, or performance issues – Palmetto manages everything. To learn more about whether leasing or buying makes sense for your situation, consider your long-term savings goals and preference for hands-off energy management.
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 Round Rock. The city receives over 280 sunny days annually with strong solar irradiance, making it ideal for solar energy production.
With Texas electricity rates rising 28% since 2020 and federal tax credits covering 30% of installation costs, Round Rock residents typically see systems pay for themselves in 7-8 years while providing 25+ years of savings.
Round Rock doesn’t have traditional net metering. Instead, residents receive net billing through their local utility companies like Austin Energy, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, and Pedernales Electric Cooperative.
With net billing, excess solar energy sent to the grid earns credits at rates between 6-13 cents per kWh, which reduce future electric bills. While not full retail rate credit, these programs still provide meaningful savings for solar homeowners.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Round Rock, TX. A Zillow study shows solar panels increase home value by 4.1% on average nationwide, meaning a $300,000 Round Rock home could gain approximately $12,300 in value.
Texas property tax exemptions ensure you won’t pay additional taxes on this increased value, making solar a smart investment that pays immediate dividends while providing long-term energy savings for Round Rock homeowners.
Solar costs in Round Rock range from $14,179 to $25,057 after federal tax credits, depending on your home size and energy needs. A typical medium-sized home requires a 9.72 kW system costing approximately $19,107 after the 30% federal tax credit.
Texas property tax exemptions and net billing programs through local utilities like Austin Energy and Pedernales Electric Cooperative help maximize savings, with most Round Rock systems paying for themselves in 7-8 years while providing decades of energy independence.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Round Rock. With Texas electricity rates rising 28% since 2020 and abundant sunshine, solar systems typically pay for themselves in 7-8 years while providing 25+ years of savings.
The 30% federal tax credit plus Texas property tax exemptions significantly reduce upfront costs, while net billing programs through local utilities provide ongoing value for excess energy production.
Palmetto Solar is the best solar company in Round Rock, TX. As a national company with local focus, we’ve completed 3,810 installations across Texas since 2020, bringing proven expertise to Round Rock residents.
We offer some of the industry’s best financing options paired with a reliable installation network, making solar accessible and affordable for Round Rock homeowners seeking quality solar solutions.