Case Study:  Solar Energy House in Texas

This study is going to review what the expected solar panel costs will be for a medium sized home solar electric system in the state of Texas.  We will look at the system costs, incentives available, expected electricity amounts, and some other variables that are common to a prospective solar energy buyer.   If you have any questions, please be sure to leave a comment and I will answer you right away.

You can look at the picture below to get a feel for what this actual solar panel system might look like if it were installed on your roof.

Equipment for this solar system:

• 24   180 watt PV solar modules
• 1 SunnyBoy inverter
• 1 DC disconnect switch
• some cables and wiring
• 1 Unirac mounting system to place the solar panels on the roof

The total cost for the solar panels and hardware for the system  is usually around $19,000

The expected labor costs for this system could be anywhere from $4,000- $6,000 depending on what  company you decide to work with for installing your system.

4.32 kW solar panel system

Texas Solar Rebates and Incentives for solar panels:

much of the incentives depend on your local utility company in Texas

• Sunset Valley residents can receive up to $3,187.50 per solar system
• Statewide solar production program allowing for $0.27 / kwh produced more information on this program can be found on this website about the solar program
• Austin Residents can receive a $2.50 per AC watt rebate up to $15,000 more info on this program is located here on the Austin power website
• Bryan Texas Utility customers can look forward to a solar panel incentive of up to $2.00/watt AC or $6,000, whichever is less.  more information on this program is found at the Bryan site.
• Entergy Utility customers can make use of a $2.50/ watt with a maximum of $25,000 solar incentive, with more information here: http://www.txreincentives.com/epv/
• Texas New Mexico Power Company customers have a solar incentive program too.  They are offering a rebate in the amount of $2.00/DC watt up to $20,000.  there is more info here: http://www.txreincentives.com/tpv/index.php

Federal Tax Credits that All Texas Solar Panel Projects Can Make Use of:

The 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit is something that everyone can make use of.  This is a tax credit you can take for 30% of the total cost of your solar panel system.

Expected Electricity Output of a 4.32 kW solar panel system in Texas:

• Austin Texas Solar Electricty from 4.32kW system: 572 kwh per month
• Abilene Texas Solar Electricity from a 4.32kW system: 617 kwh per month
• Amarillo Texas Solar Electrity from a 4.32kW system: 628 kwh per month
• Corpus Christi Texas solar electricity from 4.32 kW System: 528 kwh per month
• Fort Worth Texas solar electricity from 4.32kW solar system: 583 kwh per month
• Houston Texas solar electricity from a 4.32kW  solar system: 517 kwh per month
• San Antonio solar electricity from a 4.32kW solar system: 583 kwh per month
• Waco Texas solar electricity generated from a 4.32kW solar system: 583 kwh per month