Texas is the second-largest solar market in the U.S. by installed capacity, and in 2026 it's also one of the most competitive — a market where getting three competing quotes routinely saves homeowners $4,000–$6,000 on a standard system.
Disclaimer: Company information, pricing, and service areas are based on publicly available data as of May 2026. Installer availability and performance ratings change frequently. Verify TDLR license status and get at least three competing quotes before signing any contract. This guide does not constitute an endorsement of any installer.
Key Takeaways
- Texas averages $2.55/watt installed (LBNL 2024) — a 9 kW system runs roughly $22,950 before any incentives, with no federal Section 25D credit in 2026
- Local installers via EnergySage consistently quote 15–20% less than national brands for comparable work
- Texas has no statewide net metering — confirm your REP's or utility's buyback rate before sizing your system
- All Texas solar contractors must hold a TDLR Electrical Contractor license; verify before signing
- Sunnova, headquartered in Houston, carries strong local service depth; Tesla Energy is the strongest Powerwall integration option
Texas Solar Market Overview in 2026
Texas ranked second nationally for total installed solar capacity as of Q4 2025, with over 27 GW of cumulative residential and commercial solar according to Wood Mackenzie / SEIA's U.S. Solar Market Insight report. The average installed cost sits at approximately $2.55/watt (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Tracking the Sun 2024) — about $0.20/watt below the national median. That affordability comes from a competitive installer base and lower permitting costs than coastal markets.
[INTERNAL-LINK: solar cost data for Texas → /guides/solar-cost-texas-2026]
Two factors make Texas solar shopping different from other states. First, no federal Section 25D residential credit applies in 2026 — it expired December 31, 2025. Second, Texas has no statewide net metering law. Your compensation for exported solar energy depends entirely on your specific utility or REP. These two facts together mean the installer you choose and the export agreement you lock in matter more here than almost anywhere else.
The Texas grid is also worth understanding. Most of the state sits on the ERCOT grid, which is separate from the national grid. Your Transmission Distribution Utility (TDU) — Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, or TNMP — handles physical grid connection. But if you're in the deregulated ERCOT market, a separate Retail Electric Provider (REP) handles billing and sets your solar buyback rate. Homeowners in Austin Energy or CPS Energy territory operate differently: those are vertically integrated utilities that handle both distribution and retail.
| System Size | Gross Cost at $2.55/W | Annual Output (central TX) | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $15,300 | ~12,100 kWh/year | Smaller home, lower usage |
| 8 kW | $20,400 | ~16,100 kWh/year | Average TX single-family home |
| 9 kW | $22,950 | ~18,150 kWh/year | Higher usage or EV charging |
| 12 kW | $30,600 | ~24,200 kWh/year | Large home, pool, or multi-EV |
Production estimates use 5.5 peak sun hours (central Texas). West Texas and El Paso average 6.0–6.5. Houston and the Gulf Coast run closer to 5.0–5.2. Use NREL's PVWatts Calculator for your specific ZIP code.
Best Texas Solar Installers in 2026
[INTERNAL-LINK: guide on getting solar quotes → /guides/solar-quotes-how-to-get-best-price-2026]
The five installer categories below cover the major players in the Texas market. No single company is the "best" for everyone — your ideal choice depends on system size, whether you want a Powerwall, your utility, and how important local service depth is to you.
| Installer | Type | Texas Service Area | Best For | Typical Price vs. Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Momentum Solar | Regional national | DFW, Houston, San Antonio, Austin | Strong TX market depth, established reviews | At or slightly above market |
| Sunrun | National | Major TX metros | Lease/PPA options, brand recognition | 5–15% above local average |
| Sunnova | National (HQ: Houston) | Statewide via partner network | TX customer service depth, strong warranty | At or slightly above market |
| Tesla Energy | National | Major TX metros | Powerwall integration, app ecosystem | Competitive; premium for Powerwall bundles |
| Local installers (EnergySage) | Local/regional | Varies by company | Best price, personalized service | 15–20% below national brands |
Momentum Solar
Momentum Solar has built real market presence in Texas, with active teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin metros. The company operates on a direct-to-consumer model — sales reps contact homeowners directly — which keeps their overhead manageable compared to pure national installers. Customer reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau are generally positive, with faster installation timelines than some national competitors. Momentum uses a network of subcontractors for installation work in some markets; ask whether your specific job will use in-house or subcontracted crews, and verify that subcontractors carry their own TDLR licensing.
[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE]: In competitive Texas metro markets, Momentum quotes often fall within 5% of local installer pricing when you bring competing bids — they'll frequently negotiate rather than lose the deal.
Sunrun
Sunrun is the largest residential solar company in the U.S. by installed capacity, with a national presence that extends across Texas's major metros. Their strongest competitive advantage is financing flexibility: Sunrun offers leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) in addition to traditional cash and loan purchases. For Texas homeowners who don't want to own the system — or who want to avoid a large upfront cost — a Sunrun PPA can deliver immediate savings at $0.10–$0.13/kWh. The trade-off is that Sunrun, not you, captures any commercial tax credit (Section 48E, active through 2027) on leased systems. Own-your-system buyers in Texas generally find local installers more price-competitive than Sunrun for cash or loan purchases.
Sunnova
Sunnova is headquartered in Houston, which gives it genuine operational depth in the Texas market that most national installers lack. The company works through a certified dealer and sub-dealer network, with partners located across the state rather than a small number of regional offices. Sunnova's 25-year service agreement is a differentiator: they commit to system maintenance and performance monitoring for the full warranty period, which can matter in a market where some smaller installers close within a few years of the installation. Their financing options include loans and PPAs. In our review of installer options for Texas homeowners, Sunnova consistently appears among the strongest choices for buyers who prioritize long-term service reliability over lowest upfront cost.
[UNIQUE INSIGHT]: Sunnova's Houston headquarters gives it regulatory familiarity with ERCOT interconnection processes that installers based on the coasts often lack — a practical advantage when dealing with ERCOT TDU timelines.
Tesla Energy
Tesla Energy's value proposition in Texas is specific: if you want a Powerwall 3 battery, Tesla is the most seamless path to getting one installed alongside your solar panels. The Powerwall 3 bundles solar and battery into a single integrated system — one app, one monitoring interface, one installer relationship. Tesla's pricing on solar-only systems is competitive in major metros, though timelines can run longer than local installers. Tesla uses employed installers in some markets and partners in others; the installation quality experience is somewhat variable. If Powerwall integration isn't a priority, many local Texas installers can source Enphase or FranklinWH batteries at comparable cost.
[INTERNAL-LINK: Powerwall vs Enphase battery comparison → /guides/enphase-vs-tesla-battery-2026]
Local Installers via EnergySage
[ORIGINAL DATA]: Based on EnergySage's published marketplace data, homeowners who receive quotes from both national installers and local installers pay 15–20% less with local companies for comparable equipment and workmanship. On a $22,950 gross system, that's a $3,440–$4,590 difference — real money that reduces your payback by 1–2 years.
Texas has hundreds of quality local solar installers, particularly in DFW, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Platforms like EnergySage and SolarReviews let you submit your address and electricity bill once and receive multiple competing quotes. The quoting process typically surfaces 3–5 local or regional installers in a week. Competition between installers on these platforms pushes pricing down further than calling installers individually. Local companies also tend to offer faster installation timelines and more responsive post-installation service — you're calling a Texas phone number, not a national call center.
Texas-Specific Considerations
Understanding how the Texas energy market works is as important as choosing the right installer. Get these details wrong, and you could size your system incorrectly and dramatically reduce your ROI.
ERCOT Deregulation and Your REP's Buyback Rate
Most Texas homeowners in the deregulated ERCOT market pay a Retail Electric Provider (REP) for their electricity. REPs are companies like TXU Energy, Reliant, Green Mountain Energy, and dozens of others. Each REP independently decides whether to offer a solar buyback rate and at what price.
Buyback rates in the ERCOT deregulated market typically range from $0.03 to $0.08/kWh — far below the $0.136/kWh retail rate you pay (EIA, 2025). Some REPs offer solar-specific plans with better export compensation. Before you size your system, call your current REP and ask for their solar buyback rate, or compare solar-friendly plans on Power to Choose, the PUCT's official REP comparison tool.
The practical consequence: in most of ERCOT, every kWh you export to the grid earns roughly 3–6 cents, not 13 cents. Oversizing your system to export a lot of excess power is a poor ROI strategy. Right-size for your consumption, not for maximum production.
Austin Energy and CPS Energy Are Different
If you're in Austin or San Antonio, ignore the ERCOT REP complexity above. Austin Energy operates its own Value of Solar tariff at approximately $0.097/kWh for exported power — meaningfully better than most ERCOT REPs. CPS Energy in San Antonio offers avoided-cost net metering at roughly $0.04–$0.06/kWh, which is lower than Austin Energy but still structured as a formal net metering program.
Austin Energy also offers a $2,500 solar rebate for qualifying residential installations. CPS Energy has offered $2,500–$3,000 rebates on a first-come, first-served basis — check current program availability before your project starts.
August Heat and Panel Performance
Texas summers regularly see ambient temperatures above 100°F in July and August. Solar panels lose efficiency as temperature rises — typically 0.4–0.5% per degree Celsius above 25°C (77°F), depending on panel type (NREL, Temperature Effects on PV Performance). On a 105°F Texas afternoon, panel surface temperature can hit 135–150°F, causing real-time output to drop 15–20% below the nameplate rating.
Two implications: First, annual production estimates from installers should use temperature-corrected modeling, not just peak sun hours. Ask your installer whether their estimate accounts for temperature derating. Second, consider panels with lower temperature coefficients — heterojunction (HJT) panels from REC Alpha or LG HiS typically perform better in heat than standard PERC panels.
How to Verify a Texas Solar Contractor
Texas requires all solar installers to hold a TDLR Electrical Contractor (EC) license issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. This is a non-negotiable legal requirement — not a nice-to-have certification.
Check TDLR Licensing
Verify any installer's license at the TDLR license lookup tool. Search by company name or license number. Confirm:
- License type is "Electrical Contractor" (not just "Journeyman" or "Apprentice")
- License status is "Active"
- License is not expired
[INTERNAL-LINK: full contractor verification guide → /guides/solar-installer-red-flags-2026]
An installer who can't provide their TDLR license number is a hard stop. Don't let a salesperson's enthusiasm substitute for a verified license. Subcontractors doing the physical work also need their own individual TDLR licensing.
NABCEP Certification
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) issues the gold-standard credential for solar installation professionals: the PV Installation Professional (PVIP) certification. Not every installer or crew member will hold this — it's not required — but a company with NABCEP-certified installers signals investment in training. Ask: "Does the crew doing my install include any NABCEP-certified technicians?"
BBB and Review Verification
Check the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) for the installer's complaint history, not just their rating. Look at complaint resolution patterns: did the company respond and resolve issues, or did they ignore complaints? Also check Google Reviews, but focus on reviews from the past 12 months — older reviews may not reflect current ownership or staffing. On EnergySage, installers are reviewed by actual customers who completed projects through the platform.
How to Get the Best Solar Price in Texas
Texas's competitive installer market is genuinely good news for homeowners who know how to use it. Competition is fierce, and informed buyers consistently get better prices.
[INTERNAL-LINK: full guide on getting solar quotes → /guides/solar-quotes-how-to-get-best-price-2026]
The single most effective step is getting competing quotes through a marketplace like EnergySage or SolarReviews. EnergySage's own marketplace data shows users who collect 3+ quotes pay an average of 10% less per watt than users who buy from the first installer they contact. In the Texas market with its many active installers, 3–5 competing quotes are easy to get.
Timing also matters. Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are slower seasons for Texas installers — summer booking pressure hasn't built, and crews are more available. Installers are more willing to negotiate on price and upgrade panel brands when they're scheduling 4–6 weeks out instead of 10–12 weeks. Avoid committing in June–August when demand spikes and negotiating leverage weakens.
Equipment specificity is another lever. When you get competing quotes, make sure they specify the same panel model, inverter type, and warranty terms — "400W monocrystalline" is not a meaningful spec. Force apples-to-apples comparison by asking each installer to quote on the same panel and inverter brand you've decided on, or to justify why their recommendation is different.
Use the Solar ROI Calculator to model your payback with different system sizes and equipment tiers before you meet with installers. Walking in with a clear target size and reasonable price expectations makes the negotiation much more productive.
Red Flags in the Texas Solar Market
Texas's size and high demand make it a target for aggressive or unethical solar sales tactics. These are the patterns that should make you walk away.
High-pressure same-day close. A salesperson who insists you must sign tonight to lock in a price is using manufactured urgency. Legitimate installers will give you time to review a contract. No real price expires overnight.
Promises of "free solar" or "zero electricity bills." This language is common in door-to-door solar sales, particularly in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio suburbs. Solar reduces your electricity bill — it rarely eliminates it, especially in Texas with weak net metering. Treat any claim of "zero bills" with heavy skepticism unless you see the actual production model.
No TDLR license number. As above: a contractor without a verifiable TDLR Electrical Contractor license cannot legally do solar electrical work in Texas. This is not a technicality.
Verbal promises not in the contract. If an installer promises a production guarantee, a specific rebate, or a particular panel brand verbally but won't put it in writing, it doesn't exist. Read the contract before signing.
Unusually low per-watt pricing. A quote 30%+ below other quotes isn't necessarily a good deal — it often signals missing line items (no hurricane-rated racking, no monitoring, no permit fees included) or a contractor using unlicensed subcontractors.
Financing terms buried in the contract. Solar loans in Texas typically carry interest rates of 5–9%. Some installer-facilitated loans have a "dealer fee" added to the system cost — effectively a markup that increases the true loan amount. Ask for the total financed amount (the actual loan balance, not the stated system price) before agreeing to any loan.
Related Guides
- What Does Solar Cost in Texas in 2026? — Detailed cost breakdown, net metering by utility, and payback math for Texas homeowners.
- Solar Installer Red Flags: What to Watch For in 2026 — Expanded list of warning signs and how to protect yourself.
- How to Get the Best Solar Price: Quotes Guide (2026) — Step-by-step process for getting and comparing competing quotes.
- Is Solar Worth It in 2026? — National payback analysis with honest post-credit math.
Sources
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory — Tracking the Sun 2024
- Wood Mackenzie / SEIA — U.S. Solar Market Insight 2025 Year in Review
- U.S. EIA — Electric Power Monthly (Texas average retail rate)
- NREL — PVWatts Calculator
- NREL — Temperature Effects on PV Performance
- EnergySage — Solar Marketplace Data and Pricing Insights
- Texas TDLR — Electrical Contractor License Lookup
- NABCEP — PV Installation Professional Certification
- Power to Choose — Texas REP Comparison Tool
- Austin Energy — Solar Rebate Program
- Texas Tax Code Section 11.27 — Solar Property Tax Exemption
