Solar Panel Cost in Houston, TX (2026)
Real installed prices, CenterPoint credit rules, local rebates and how long a system takes to pay for itself in Houston.
Estimate your Houston system
Assumes a local rate of 14¢/kWh, 1700 kWh generated per installed kW per year, $2.8/W installed, the 30% federal credit and local rebates. Estimates only.
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Solar prices in Houston by system size
| System | Gross cost | After 30% credit | After local rebates | Yearly output | Yearly savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 kW | $12,600 | $8,820 | $8,820 | 7,650 kWh | $1,071 | 8.2 yrs |
| 6.5 kW | $18,200 | $12,740 | $12,740 | 11,050 kWh | $1,547 | 8.2 yrs |
| 9 kW | $25,200 | $17,640 | $17,640 | 15,300 kWh | $2,142 | 8.2 yrs |
| 11 kW | $30,800 | $21,560 | $21,560 | 18,700 kWh | $2,618 | 8.2 yrs |
Payback assumes limited or no credit for exported power. Sizing to your own usage is essential.
What makes Houston different
1. You can shop for your electricity supplier
Houston is in a deregulated market — the wires are run by CenterPoint, but you choose your own retail electricity provider. Your effective rate, and therefore your savings, depends on the plan you are on.
2. Compare your retail rate before you size a system
A cheap retail plan lowers savings; an expensive one raises them. Check your own bill rate against the local average before committing to a system size.
3. Little to no credit for exports
Exported power earns little or nothing in Houston. Every dollar of value comes from self-consumption, so size to your daytime usage rather than your annual total.
4. Heat cuts real output
Panels lose roughly 10–15% of nameplate output above 25°C, and Houston summers are hard on them. The 1700 kWh per kW figure on this page already reflects local conditions — a national-average calculator will overstate your output.
What affects your price in Houston
- System size — the single biggest driver.
- Roof pitch and height — steep or two-storey roofs add labour.
- Roof age — replace worn shingles first; re-roofing around panels costs more later.
- Panel and inverter tier — premium modules and microinverters add 15–25%.
- Main panel upgrade — older homes may need a 200A service upgrade, $1,500–$3,000.
- Battery — optional, roughly $10,000–$15,000 installed.
- Season — late autumn and winter installs are often cheaper.
Solar cost in nearby cities
| City | Utility | Export credit |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | Oncor | none |
| Austin, TX | Austin Energy | value of solar |
| San Antonio, TX | CPS Energy | avoided cost |
| El Paso, TX | El Paso Electric | avoided cost |
Houston solar FAQ
How much do solar panels cost in Houston?
A 6.5 kW system — the most common size locally — costs about $18,200 installed before incentives, or $12,740 after the 30% federal tax credit and local rebates.
How long is the payback period in Houston?
Roughly 8.2 years for a properly sized system, based on local rates, 1700 kWh of production per installed kW, and current incentives.
Does CenterPoint offer a rebate?
Programs and funding change. Confirm the current CenterPoint incentive directly with the utility, and never accept an installer's rebate promise that isn't in writing.
Do I need a permit to install solar in Houston?
Yes. Houston requires an electrical and structural permit plus an inspection, and CenterPoint handles interconnection separately. A reputable installer files all of it — ask to see the permit number.
How much roof space does a system need?
A 6.5 kW array needs roughly 423–553 square feet of unshaded roof, depending on panel wattage and layout.
Is Houston a good place for solar?
The sun resource is strong at about 1700 kWh per installed kW per year, and local rates run near 14¢/kWh. The real variables are roof condition, shading and CenterPoint's export credit rules.
Ready for exact numbers?
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Sources & method
Production modelled with NREL PVWatts. Utility rate from EIA retail-sales data. Incentive data from DSIRE and IRS guidance. Installed cost benchmarked to local market pricing. Last updated October 2026. Estimates only — not a quote.