Texan Solar Savings Are Here!

Are you from the Lone Star State?  Well if so, then HahaSmart can relate to your great Texas motto, "Friendship."  In the case of a prospective Texan's move to solar, we extend that friendship to you today with some great information on how to get the best deal possible when joining the solar revolution.   

"Texan size" is a colloquialism, but not always a certainty.  Some Texans have the luxury of a large roof to build their solar system, some somewhat smaller.  However, large or small, if you live in Texas and want rooftop solar power for your home, it's your lucky day. The financial advantages vary according to where you reside in the state, but in general, there are more incentives to install a rooftop solar system in the Lone Star state than in most other US states.

Combining these incentives with the abundant Texan size sunshine that emanates down on the state all year round, it’s no wonder the Solar Energy Industries Association ranks Texas as one of the best 10 states of the nation for residential solar power.

Federal Investment Tax Credit For Solar Customers

Who loves saving money?  If this is on the top of your list, then feast your eyes on this.  If you place a solar energy system at your house in Texas before the end of 2019, you will be qualified for the federal investment tax credit of 30%. A conventional home solar installation prices around $15,000 — some are more and some are less. That suggests you can qualify for a tax credit of $4,500, making the net cost of the system to you only $10,500.

When its tax time, you can obtain the benefits of credits created for solar users.  Take a peek at your choices.  Let's say you don’t owe $4,500 in federal taxes, then the unused portion of the credit can be transferred over to following tax years. With gratitude to the federal credit, the solar panel system will cover its individual cost in approximately 9 years or less. After that, it will provide you and your family with free electricity for the entire balance of its useful life, which is typically 25 years.

Net Metering Of Your Solar Unit

With net metering, your solar system can feed energy back into the grid.  This can bring a considerable incentive globally and locally toward a favorable societal view of solar energy.   Since the electric company can then resell your power to other customers, it often pays a fixed price per kilowatt hour for it.

There are no state laws in Texas mandating net metering statewide, though many regional utilities advance net metering programs for their customers. El Paso Electric, the City of Brenham, CPS Energy, and Green Mountain Energy are some of the services that have net metering policies.

Local Rebates For Solar Users

Many energy firms in the Texas area offer considerable rebates to their customers who seek to have solar placed on the roofs of their homes.  Customers who establish rooftop solar devices rebates varying from 50 cents per watt up to $1.20 per watt. Since the median rooftop system is about 6,000 watts, those rebates can reduce the cost of a system by within $3,000 and $7,200.
Some of the utility companies that offer rebates include Austin Energy, CPS Energy, Oncor, Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative, Garland Power and Light, and the City of Sunset Valley. Check with your local energy service provider for more knowledge.

Property Tax Exemption For Solar Installations

These solar systems can add value to your home.  Usually, that improved value would create your property taxes to rise. However, Texas law prohibits local authorities to tax the cost of a residential solar system. That means you can make your house worth more without paying more property taxes.

Solar Laws

At the beginning of the solar revolution, there was some pushback toward solar installations.  Many homeowner associations for condominiums enacted regulations banning them from the homes within the community. Texas has adopted a solar rights law that makes it illegal to block condominium organizations from prohibiting the installation of solar systems.

Get Solar Now

This article has outlined the many incentives for rooftop solar systems available to the beautiful residents of the mighty state of Texas.  The clean power revolution before some or all of those incentives disappear. Find out how much you can save here!

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much a system will cost, and how much you can save over the next 20 years. 

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.