Texas Electricity Rates and Providers (July 2024)
By Dan Simms /
In this guide on the Texas solar panel installation companies you’ll learn:
Texas is the second most popular place to go solar in the U.S., mostly because of the abundant sunlight and the above-average energy bills in the area. Choosing a solar installer is arguably the most important part of the conversion process to get right, but with over 250 solar contractors to choose from, that decision can be a difficult one.
In this guide, we’ll share what we believe are the best solar companies in Texas, from national installers to smaller, local providers. We’ll explain what we love about each and give some insight into what we think you should prioritize when hiring a company to handle your solar project.
We’ve spent hours researching and reviewing the best solar companies in Texas so that you don’t have to. Below are the companies that we believe will give you the best experience and bang for your buck.
Overall, we recommend SunPower and ADT Solar above all other companies if you’re looking to go solar in Texas. However, all of the companies we’re reviewing in this guide are trustworthy and have years of experience completing solar projects just like yours.
The table below includes a quick look at how these installers compare. We’ll go into greater detail on each company in the following sections.
Solar Providers | Superlative | Our Score | Avg Cost ($–$$$$$) | Warranty | Financing Options | Get Quote |
SunPower | Best National Provider | 5/5 | $$$$ | Varies – minimum of 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
ADT Solar | Best Warranty Coverage | 4/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash or solar loan | |
Blue Raven Solar | Best Financing Options | 4.5/5 | $$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship | Cash and solar loans | Get Quote |
Momentum Solar | Best Regional Provider | 4.5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
Freedom Solar Power | Best Customer Service | 4/5 | $$$$ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash purchase or solar loan | Get Quote |
Solartime USA | Best Local Installer | 4.5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and production | Cash purchase, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
Longhorn Solar | Best Local Expertise | 4.5/5 | $$$$ | 25 years for equipment, production and workmanship | Cash purchase or solar loan | Get Quote |
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
Blue Raven Solar revolutionized how solar customers paid for solar energy systems when it released its BluePower Plus+ financing program. To this day, this is the most appealing financing option, in our opinion.
Blue Raven only offers bare-bones services, so it’s not a great option if you want batteries or other add-on products.
The BluePower Plus+ financing program is, in our opinion, the best solar payment option out there because it provides access to renewable energy for virtually everyone.
The program has no down payment requirement, so you’ll pay nothing upfront. Plus, it includes 18 months of no payments, and in that time, your energy savings get put toward your loan. For customers who can’t make a traditional solar loan work, BluePower might be the answer since it still leads to panel ownership and lets you take the federal tax credit.
This kind of accessibility to panel ownership is important in Texas, in particular, because installation costs are well above average, and the federal credit value averages more than $9,000.
In addition to the wonderfully creative financing, Blue Raven offers incredible customer service, despite being a national company. Its warranty coverage is also in line with the industry standard.
The biggest drawback to working with Blue Raven Solar is the lack of additional services offered. Blue Raven is one of the very few installers that only handles solar panel installations.
Solar batteries are an important part of Texas solar systems because the state doesn’t mandate net metering. Solar batteries are one of the best ways for homeowners to completely offset their energy consumption, even when their panels aren’t actively producing.
Additionally, Blue Raven’s workmanship warranty only lasts for ten years. This is average, but we’d prefer to see a longer labor warranty in an area like Texas, where extreme weather is so common.
Read our full review of Blue Raven Solar for more information.
Blue Raven carries panels from Canadian Solar, Trina, Hyundai and SolarEdge. These tier-one panels all have above-average efficiency ratings and should provide plenty of power to offer you massive savings over the life of your system.
If the high installation costs in Texas are a major deterrent to you, we suggest going with SolarEdge panels, as these have the lowest per-watt cost of the brands available. If you want the best chance of offsetting as much energy consumption as possible, we recommend the more efficient Trina panels.
Blue Raven doesn’t offer any other solar products or services at this time.
Since Blue Raven Solar does use Enphase inverters, you should get access to the Enphase solar monitoring app with your system.
Blue Raven Solar accepts cash purchases and solar loans. While it doesn’t accept leases or PPAs, the company still keeps its services highly accessible with its revolutionary and affordable BluePower Plus+ financing program. Most customers should be able to make this loan option work within their budgets.
It’s also worth noting that Blue Raven maintains below-average pricing for its services, so more people will be likely to be able to afford a cash purchase through this installer than most others in Texas.
As mentioned above, Blue Raven offers mostly average warranty coverage. That includes 25 years of protection for the equipment, which is standard, a 25-year performance guarantee, which is slightly better than average and a 10-year workmanship warranty, which is in line with the industry average.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
4.5 |
A+ |
2014 |
$$ |
Solar Panels, System Monitoring |
Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, SunPower |
25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty, 2-year production guarantee |
Pros
Cons
If you’re looking for the price and availability of a national installer but better customer service, as you’d expect from a smaller, local company, then we recommend Momentum Solar. It provides excellent customer service and one-on-one customer care, which cannot be said for most of the companies in the highly competitive Texas solar market.
If you can’t decide between a large national company and a small local installer, Momentum Solar might be your best option. It has statewide availability in Texas, much like the national companies, and it maintains good pricing by buying its equipment in bulk, which many local companies can’t do.
However, it also brings outstanding customer service to the table, primarily because it guarantees that each customer will only ever have one point of contact at the company.
In addition to excellent service and customer care, Momentum Solar includes above-average warranty coverage for all of its systems to protect your solar investment and keep it safe from the extreme Texas weather.
Finally, Momentum accepts all major solar payment methods, so most customers should be able to find a financing option that works for them. This is an important factor in an area like Texas, where the average cost to go solar is around $7,000 higher than the national average.
There are a few things to consider before choosing Momentum Solar to handle your solar project.
First off, the company is currently named in a class-action lawsuit for racial discrimination. The claims haven’t been substantiated in court yet, but this is something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a company that maintains social sustainability.
Second, Momentum Solar only installs panels and batteries, which are what we consider to be the standard services. Customers looking for more robust offerings, like EV chargers — since EVs are highly popular in Texas — and home efficiency upgrades to combat high energy bills will need to look elsewhere.
Read our full review of Momentum Solar for more information.
Most solar companies work with a select number of manufacturers, as this helps simplify sourcing and allows for bulk pricing. Momentum is one of the few companies that keeps your options totally open. It can source panels from just about any manufacturer, so you can choose your preferred brand based on cost, efficiency or some other metric.
Momentum does make it a point only to work with tier-one brands and monocrystalline panels. These are the only panels we’d recommend anyway, so we don’t see this as a downside.
Momentum Solar has average pricing to help keep its renewable energy systems accessible, and it also accepts all of the primary payment options that you’ll find from other installers. Those include cash purchases, loans, leases and PPAs.
Despite the above-average solar conversion costs in Texas, most customers should be able to find a payment option from Momentum that works for them.
Momentum Solar’s warranty coverage is fantastic and rivals some of the best national companies’ coverage. You get 25 years of protection for the equipment, the power production and the workmanship, so your system is fully protected when you go solar with Momentum.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
4.5 |
A+ |
2009 |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
Q Cells, REC, Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, Canadian Solar and others depending on location |
25-year manufacturer and workmanship warranties |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Freedom Solar Power offers unmatched customer service and customer care. Its reps are friendly, professional and knowledgeable, and they make the process of going solar less complicated just by being open and present.
Freedom Solar is a little on the expensive side, but we feel the cost is justifiable.
Freedom Solar Power has the availability and resources of a large company, but it operates more like a small, local company in all other aspects. From the first call you make to the company to request a solar quote to long after your system is installed, you’ll very likely be thrilled with the communication from the company and the attention you get.
The representatives understand the needs of customers specifically in Texas, and they customize system designs to stand up to expected weather conditions and sunlight availability.
Perhaps most importantly, the salespeople and technicians have an intimate understanding of the solar incentives available in Texas, including the lesser-known ones available from individual power companies and cities. They are willing to help customers apply for them to help get the lowest all-in prices possible for solar equipment.
Additionally, Freedom Solar Power has excellent warranty coverage and installs high-quality equipment.
Freedom only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, so it’s not as accessible as some competitors. If you can’t afford to pay outright for your panels or qualify for a loan, you’re out of luck.
The company is even less accessible because of its above-average pricing. Especially in an area like Texas, where system size requirements are well above average, a high per-watt price from an installer like Freedom Solar Power can be a big deterrent for a lot of homeowners.
Read our full review of Freedom Solar Power for more information.
Freedom Solar Power carries a few different brands of panels, including SunPower/Maxeon, SolarEdge and Tesla.
These are all tier-one residential PV panel brands, but SunPower panels stand apart from the others in terms of efficiency and overall performance. They’re more expensive on a per-watt basis, but they’re also the best equipped to maximize your solar energy production and offset your above-average energy needs in Texas.
If you’re looking to keep costs down and don’t mind sacrificing on efficiency, we’d recommend the SolarEdge panels, as these come with the lowest price per watt.
Freedom Solar also provides access to the following products and services:
Unfortunately, Freedom Solar Power is not only relatively expensive, but it also doesn’t have many financing options available. You’ll only be able to choose between a cash purchase and a solar loan, so if you’re looking for a lease or PPA, you’ll need to pick a different provider.
If you can make a cash purchase work, despite Freedom Solar’s high prices, it will be the most beneficial to you over time.
Freedom Solar Power includes a 25-year comprehensive warranty that covers your panels in the event that a manufacturer defect affects your system, the performance of your panels and the installation labor. The equipment warranty is in line with the industry average, but the other two coverages are more than you’d get from most providers in the area.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4 |
A |
$$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Solartime USA provides outstanding customer service, great communication and expertise at every step of the way. If you’re looking to support a local business and want the customer care usually offered by one, we recommend Solartime USA above all others.
Just keep in mind that Solartime’s service area is limited to the Dallas area.
Solartime USA is a small installer, so it has the time and resources to devote time and energy to every single one of its customers. The reps remain communicative throughout the entire process and are always willing to answer questions and make suggestions that are specific to your home and your solar energy system.
That elevated level of customer service also comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which is reflected in the company’s many positive reviews online.
With localized experience, the reps are also able to help homeowners file for local solar incentives that larger companies may not be familiar with. Overall, this could help you save money.
Additionally, Solartime USA understands the specific needs of Texas customers. The reps know firsthand what it’s like to pay those high electric bills every month, which is why the company offers a wide range of home energy efficiency services on top of the common solar products and services.
One pretty significant downside to Solartime USA is its small size, and while that means excellent customer service, it also means a small service area. You’ll only be able to hire this provider if you live in or around the Dallas area.
The most significant downside, however, is that the company doesn’t offer a workmanship warranty. In Texas, we feel that a workmanship warranty not only provides peace of mind but also protects your system and home during tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and other severe weather that the state commonly sees.
We’d really love to see some kind of labor warranty from Solartime.
Solartime USA installs panels from Panasonic and QCells.
Of the two, we’d recommend QCells. Panasonic panels have a higher maximum efficiency rating, topping out at 22.2%. However, they have a below-average max wind load, so the panels from QCells are more likely to withstand intense winds from tornadoes, which are common in Texas.
Solartime USA installs and offers the following products and services as well. This list is significantly longer than you’ll see with just about any other company, which speaks to the provider’s commitment to providing the most customized service available in Texas.
Most small local companies like this only accept cash purchases and solar loans. However, Solartime USA understands that going solar in Texas is more expensive than in most states, so it also accepts leases and PPAs to keep its services as widely available as possible.
We don’t recommend a lease or PPA because they don’t let you take the ITC — an average value of over $9,200 in Texas — and they lead to lower savings in the long run than if you pay in cash or with a loan. Still, it’s nice to have options, especially in a high-cost area like Texas.
Solartime USA includes a 25-year warranty for the system and power production with all of its installations. The equipment warranty is average, and the production warranty is five years longer than average.
Unfortunately, this is one of the few solar companies in Texas that doesn’t offer any workmanship warranty, which is a pretty significant downside. We’d love to see at least the industry average of ten years of coverage for the labor.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Generators, Solar Carports |
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Longhorn Solar has offices in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Houston and San Antonio, from which it provides some of the best localized expertise in the area.
This provider doesn’t accept leases or PPAs, and it’s a little on the expensive side, but we think it’s worth it.
Longhorn Solar has been operating solely in Texas since 2009, so it has over a decade of localized experience to draw from. Plus, several of its team members have been in the solar industry for over 30 years.
Its technicians not only understand the specific energy needs and system-specific demands of Texas solar customers, but they’re also friendly and willing to help in any way possible. The reps routinely help customers file for solar incentives on a federal, state and hyper-local level, often saving money where larger companies might not be able to.
The installers are certified by NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners), which helps ensure a professional and safe installation.
Finally, the customer service provided by Longhorn Solar is outstanding. Customers rave about the services, communication and professionalism of the crew in customer reviews. This is important in an area like Texas, where competition is fierce and many companies cut corners to turn a profit.
Longhorn doesn’t accept solar leases or power purchase agreements, which are the more accessible options. It would be nice to see these options available in Texas, especially because the installation costs in the area average around $7,000 above the national average, which naturally makes going solar less accessible than in most other states.
To make matters worse, Longhorn Solar has above-average pricing in general, which means you’ll not only have limited payment options, but you’ll also pay more for your system than you would from most other providers.
Longhorn Solar installs a handful of tier-one solar panel brands, including REC, QCells, and SolarEdge. These brands should all serve most Texas solar customers well and provide substantial energy savings over their lifespan.
Of these three, we’d recommend REC if you want to maximize your production and savings. REC panels have the highest efficiency rating of the three, topping out at 22.2%.
If you instead want to prioritize price, SolarEdge will be the most affordable option. However, these have a below-average max wind load rating, so they’re the least likely to hold up against extreme wind speeds from Texas tornadoes. QCells is a good middle option that is more affordable than REC but still has above-average wind resistance.
Like many small local companies, Longhorn Solar only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. These are the options we suggest for homeowners in Texas because they yield the greatest savings and allow you to take the federal tax credit. However, they’re not accessible to everyone, as you either need a massive upfront payment or good credit.
Longhorn Solar has great warranty protection on its systems, including 25 years of coverage for the panels, the efficiency rating and the workmanship. The production warranty is about five years longer than average, and the workmanship guarantee is 2.5x longer than most competitors offer, which is great news for Longhorn customers.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
Watch Below: How Much Should You Expect to Pay for Solar in Texas?
At only $3.18 per watt, the cost to go solar in Texas is below the national average. More savings can be applied after the 30% federal solar tax credit, which can take the cost of the average 11.5 kW system down from $36,570 to $25,599.
Even though the federal solar tax credit takes the edge off the sticker shock, the total cost of a solar system can still seem steep. There are more ways to save money when installing your solar system, including:
Even though Texas does not have any state-wide solar rebate programs, homeowners will qualify for the federal solar tax credit, local net metering programs, rebate programs and other local incentives. Residents should talk to their solar installer to make sure they benefit from all these money-saving incentives in Texas.
Texas Solar Incentive | Program Overview |
Local Rebate Programs | Texas has no state-wide solar rebate program, but it does have several local programs run by utility companies, such as Austin Energy and CPS Energy. |
Texas Net Metering | Texas net metering will allow homeowners to flow excess solar energy to the energy grid and receive a credit for future electricity bills. Only some suppliers offer this perk, as it’s not mandated statewide. |
Federal Investment Tax Credit | The federal solar investment tax credit will repay homeowners 30% of the total cost of their solar system. |
Tax Exemption and Tax Abatement | Even though your home’s value will increase, you will not have to pay sales or property tax on your solar equipment. |
The type of solar panel you choose can also impact the overall price of your solar system. Some states need more powerful solar panels because they don’t have access to abundant sunshine, but Texas is positioned perfectly for solar power.
Instead of purchasing the most expensive and efficient solar panels available, Texans can opt for the more affordable solar panels. This choice will drastically lower the cost of your solar system.
It may seem intuitive, but the size of your solar system should reflect your energy goals. If you plan to rely completely on solar power, then you’ll want a system big enough to offset your energy costs. But if you want only partial solar power, then you’ll need a smaller size.
Your solar installer will help you determine which size you need, but you should take the necessary steps to figure out how much energy you consume each month so that you don’t invest in a system that’s too large.
On average, solar panel installation increases the value of a home by about 4.1%. Given that the average value of a home in Texas as of 2022 is $296,127, Texas homeowners can add as much as $12,141 to their home’s value.
Not only will your home’s value increase, but the addition of solar panels is often seen as a buying point for potential buyers. A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that solar homes sell up to 20% faster than comparable non-solar homes[1], which makes the addition of solar panels boost home value in more ways than one.
DIY solar panel installation has become increasingly popular among homeowners in the United States because it can be much cheaper than professionally installed panels. Although DIY installation can still result in energy savings, it’s not always suitable for all projects, especially for large-scale home installations.
As you weigh your pros and cons for professional installation and DIY, make sure you consider the following in your decision:
The installation of solar panels requires more than just the panels themselves — you’ll need an arsenal of tools and equipment, including but not limited to:
If you have all of these tools on hand, then you’re at least in a good position to start solar installation. But if you need to purchase each of these items, it can add cost and inconvenience to your DIY installation.
If you are the sole person responsible for the installation of your solar system, then it may take you a long time to install all the panels necessary to power your entire home. By hiring a professional installation company, you will ensure that your project is installed quickly and correctly.
Unlike smaller home solar projects such as solar lights and solar water pumps, large solar projects require permits, licenses and permission to operate from your city. You can absolutely apply for these permits by yourself, but professional solar companies are pros at making sure your solar system is up to code and passes inspections.
There are many quality solar installers in Texas, but the final decision to choose one company over another can be tricky. As you browse through top providers in the solar industry, always make sure your company has the following:
A company’s reputation can say a lot about the quality of service and workmanship. To assess whether a company is high quality, we take into account its Better Business Bureau Rating (BBB), certifications and affiliations with industry-leading associations, such as the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
A company’s quality is only as good as its sustainability and ethical procedures. From manufacturing ethics to ESG reports, Texas residents should review all available information about a company to ensure they invest in sustainably-sourced products and services.
Clean energy isn’t free, so solar financing options are key to installing your home solar system. Many companies offer solar loan, solar lease and power purchase agreements to help offset the upfront cost of solar panel systems.
As compared to ADT which only takes full-cash and standard in-home loans, SunPower and Blue Raven Solar do well in this category because they have a full range of payment options that are beneficial to the customer.
The best solar companies in Texas offer more than just solar installation services. When you choose a solar company for your solar needs, make sure they also offer solar backup batteries, energy-efficiency audits and routine maintenance.
Several Texas solar installation companies offer more than just solar installation. The solar panels and battery backup systems are the minimum that should be offered by a given company. Some companies, such as Solartime USA and NRG Clean Power, can do even more. In a state like Texas where electricity rates can fluctuate drastically, it’s important to hire a solar company that offers whole-home services that increase your energy independence and resilience.
Many of the top solar providers offer a robust 25-year warranty program that can come in handy should you experience problems with your solar system. Warranty programs are not only critical for potential solar panel problems, but good warranty programs also indicate the quality of solar products.
The best warranties offer comprehensive coverage, such as SunPower’s warranty program. Unlike make companies — such as Kosmos Solar — offer warranties that come from its manufacturer, SunPower offers one warranty that covers every piece of solar equipment within a system (panels, batteries, inverters and more).
In our review process, we look at the year each company began operation as well as the number of solar panel systems they have installed. We also look at how long a company has been installing solar panels in Texas because each geographic region has different solar needs.
There are more than 450 solar installation companies in Texas, so more experience in the solar industry make certain companies more competitive. SunPower, for example, has been in business since 1985 whereas Astrawatt Solar has only been in the solar industry since 2016.
Each solar installer offers different brands, so we look at the quality of the brands offered as we assign our ratings. Some companies, such as Blue Raven, have several brands available for installation while others, such as SunPower, only offer one quality brand option.
The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.
When we review solar providers in Texas, we look at six different major factors that we believe will play a significant role in your overall experience with going solar. With over 240 installers in the state, we spent hours researching the best ones and looking at the services and pricing that we felt would work best for you. We’ll explain our process below.
Read More About Going Solar in Texas
Elon Musk once indicated that it would only take a small corner of a state like Texas covered in solar panels to power the entire country, or 100 by 100 square miles. Texas is one of the biggest solar markets, which means your questions about going solar set the tone for the future of solar. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
We found that SunPower was the Best Overall company for solar power due to its experience and an excellent warranty. However, more of a local provider may be best for you. For example, Solar time USA is well known for customizing solar energy systems for its consumers and knowing the ins and outs of Texan weather and climate policy.
Yes. Many solar panels actually perform better in cooler climates, since they can become sluggish in extreme heat. The weather in Texas is subtropical, which means that the area can present a challenge during design. Issues like the extreme flooding in Texas mean that you want a solar installer that will recommend the right solar panels and solar equipment.
EcoWatch recommends getting a few quotes from solar companies to compare and contrast total costs, and you will also gain more insight once each company conducts an energy audit.
Compare the financing options as well: Is it better for you to pay in full, lease, or take out a loan? What solar incentives or solar rebates are available? Does it explain the federal tax credit? Does the company offer any of its own PPAs? Is net metering offered?
Overall, it’s a combination of solar panel efficiency and weather. Demand for solar is surging in Texas, and that means rates are also competitive. However, Texas is a deregulated energy market and a state that has experienced extreme weather over the last few years. A business prepared to address these factors will prove to be the best solar panel company.
Comparing authorized solar partners
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