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Dallas solar costs $2.55–$2.85/W in Oncor territory. A 10 kW system runs ~$27,000 gross. Oncor offers a solar+battery rebate, and TXU Energy's retail-match plan gives you effective 1:1 net metering. Section 48E lease/PPA is still available through July 4, 2026. No federal 25D tax credit.
2026 Alert: The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Dallas homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan receive $0 in federal tax credits. All prices shown are full installed cost. The commercial ITC (Section 48/48E) is still available through lease/PPA and Propel Solar where a third-party owner claims the 30% credit. Construction must begin before July 4, 2026.
What a Dallas homeowner actually pays in 2026 across four system sizes. All prices reflect full installed cost in Oncor territory.
| System Size | Low ($2.55/W) | Avg ($2.7/W) | High ($2.85/W) | Annual Production | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $15,300 | $16,200 | $17,100 | 9,720 kWh | $1,458/yr |
| 8 kW | $20,400 | $21,600 | $22,800 | 12,960 kWh | $1,944/yr |
| 10 kWMost Common | $25,500 | $27,000 | $28,500 | 16,200 kWh | $2,430/yr |
| 12 kW | $30,600 | $32,400 | $34,200 | 19,440 kWh | $2,916/yr |
The residential tax credit (25D) is dead, but the commercial ITC (Section 48/48E) lives on. When a third-party company owns your solar system, they claim the 30% credit and pass savings to you through lower lease, PPA, or Propel payments.
A solar financing company (not your installer) purchases and owns the panels installed on your roof.
On a $27,000 Dallas system, that is $8,100 in tax credits plus accelerated depreciation benefits.
Instead of paying $27,000 cash, you pay a fixed monthly amount that is typically 10-15% less than your current electric bill.
Lower monthly cost, protection from rate increases, and panels on your roof generating clean energy from day one.
Fixed monthly payment ($130-$170/mo for 10 kW) regardless of production. You pay for the equipment, not the energy. Typical escalator: 1.5-2.9%/year. Ownership at end of 20-25 year term or buyout option.
You buy the electricity at a fixed rate (8-12 cents/kWh) instead of paying for equipment. If panels underperform, you pay less. In Dallas at 15 cents/kWh, a 10-cent PPA saves 33% on solar-generated energy.
$0 down, fixed payment (~$155/mo vs $175 electric bill). Full ownership transfers by year 5 — unlike leases that take 20-25 years. Uses American-made Silfab 440W panels. Available in TX now.
The OBBBA (signed July 4, 2025) sunsets the commercial ITC for new projects not under construction by July 4, 2026. For Dallas homeowners considering lease, PPA, or Propel financing, this means acting in Q1-Q2 2026. After this deadline, the only path to solar is cash or loan at full price with no tax credit of any kind. If you are considering third-party ownership, do not wait.
Oncor's solar+battery rebate is the best utility solar incentive in any deregulated Texas territory. Here is how it works and how to qualify.
A typical battery (Tesla Powerwall 3, 13.5 kWh) costs $12,000-$13,000 installed. With the $9,000 Oncor rebate, your net battery cost drops to approximately $3,500. In DFW, the primary battery value is backup power during grid outages (ERCOT reliability concerns after Winter Storm Uri). If backup power is important to you, the Oncor rebate makes the battery an excellent deal. If you only care about solar ROI and do not need backup power, solar-only is simpler and still provides strong returns.
North Texas is one of the highest hail-risk areas in the country. Choosing impact-resistant panels protects your investment and may lower your insurance costs.
| Panel | Hail Rating | Max Hail Size | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| SunPower Maxeon 7 | IEC 61215 enhanced | 35mm (1.4 in) | 40 yr product + performance |
| REC Alpha Pure-RX | IEC 61215 enhanced | 35mm (1.4 in) | 25 yr product, 92% at yr 25 |
| Canadian Solar HiKu7 | Standard + enhanced testing | 25mm (1 in) standard | 25 yr product, 84.8% at yr 25 |
| Qcells Q.Peak DUO | IEC 61215 enhanced | 35mm (1.4 in) | 25 yr product, 86% at yr 25 |
Dallas has the best REP solar buyback options in Texas. TXU Energy's retail-match plan is exclusively available in Oncor territory and gives you effective 1:1 net metering.
| REP | Plan | Buyback Rate | Contract | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TXU EnergyTop Pick | Solar Buyback 24 | Retail-match | 24 mo | |
| TXU Energy | Solar Buyback 12 | Retail-match | 12 mo | |
| Green Mountain Energy | Solar Buyback 36 | 8.5¢/kWh fixed | 36 mo | |
| Chariot Energy | Solar Buyback 24 | 7.0¢/kWh fixed | 24 mo | |
| Constellation | Solar Buyback 12 | 6.5¢/kWh fixed | 12 mo | |
| Shell Energy | Solar Buyback 24 | 6.0¢/kWh fixed | 24 mo | |
| Rhythm Energy | Solar Buyback | Wholesale (variable) | Mo-to-mo |
TXU Energy's Solar Buyback plan credits exported solar at the exact same rate you pay for consumption — effectively 1:1 net metering. This is the gold standard that most states mandate but Texas does not. If your TXU consumption rate is 15 cents per kWh, every kWh you export also earns 15 cents. This makes oversizing your system less risky because excess production retains full value. The TXU retail-match is only available in Oncor territory (DFW, Waco, Midland) — Houston and South Texas cannot access this plan.
The 100% Texas property tax exemption is a significant financial incentive for Dallas solar owners, saving thousands over 25 years.
File Form 50-123 with the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) by April 30 following your solar installation. This is separate from your homestead exemption. The exemption prevents your property taxes from increasing due to the added value of your solar system. At Dallas County's 2.17% rate on a $27,000 system, this saves approximately $586 per year in the first decade. Collin County residents (Plano, Frisco) file with the Collin Central Appraisal District at a 2.07% rate.
All DFW cities are in Oncor delivery territory with the same buyback options and incentives. The main differences are property tax rates and local permit processes.
| City | $/W Range | Avg Rate | Delivery | Utility Rebate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas This Page | $2.55-$2.85 | ~15¢/kWh | Oncor | Battery rebate | 11-13 yrs |
| Fort Worth | $2.55-$2.85 | ~15¢/kWh | Oncor | Battery rebate | 11-13 yrs |
| Plano | $2.50-$2.90 | ~15¢/kWh | Oncor | Battery rebate | 10-12 yrs |
| Arlington | $2.55-$2.85 | ~15¢/kWh | Oncor | Battery rebate | 11-13 yrs |
| Irving | $2.55-$2.85 | ~15¢/kWh | Oncor | Battery rebate | 11-13 yrs |
All DFW metroplex cities share Oncor as the delivery utility, so the same solar+battery rebate program applies regardless of which suburb you live in. Labor costs, equipment supply chains, and permitting requirements are similar across the metro. The main variable is which Retail Electric Provider (REP) you choose — TXU Energy's retail-match buyback is available anywhere in Oncor territory.
What to know about going solar in the DFW metroplex — from roof types and permits to HOA rules and extreme heat performance.
Without the 25D tax credit, Propel Solar gives DFW homeowners $0 down solar with a fixed payment and full ownership by year 5.
A third-party financing company owns your system and captures the 30% Section 48 commercial ITC — savings that homeowners cannot access since 25D expired. That tax benefit funds your $0 upfront cost.
If your DFW electricity bill is $175/mo, your Propel payment is approximately $155/mo — saving roughly 10% from day one. The payment is fixed and predictable, unlike utility rates that increase 3-5% annually.
Full ownership transfers to you after approximately 5 years at no additional cost. Silfab 440W American-made panels with free maintenance during the financing period. You own the panels for the remaining 20+ years of their lifespan.
For DFW homeowners who do not have $27,000 in cash, Propel Solar provides immediate savings with zero upfront risk. The third-party owner handles maintenance, monitoring, and warranty claims during the financing period. Combined with Dallas County's property tax exemption, Propel delivers strong value in Oncor territory.
Estimate your Dallas-area solar costs, production, and savings. Accounts for 25D expiration, Oncor territory rates, and the Texas property tax exemption.
Estimate your solar cost, payback period, and 25-year savings for any major TX metro.
Federal Residential Solar Tax Credit (Section 25D) Expired
Homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan receive $0 in federal tax credits. Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
CenterPoint delivery area. Deregulated — choose a solar buyback REP for best export value. High humidity reduces panel efficiency slightly. Strong solar irradiance despite cloud cover. Largest TX solar market by installed capacity.
Cost Range
$2.00–$2.40/W
Peak Sun Hours
5.3 hrs/day
Avg Electric Rate
$0.14/kWh
County Tax Rate
2.31%
Annual Production
15,476
kWh/year
Annual Savings
$1,800
per year
Payback Period
12.2
years
25-Year Savings
$65,627
total
Estimates based on average 2026 TX solar pricing, 5.3 peak sun hours/day, 0.5%/year panel degradation, 3%/year electricity rate increase, and TX property tax exemption (Tax Code §11.27). Actual costs vary by installer, roof condition, and system configuration. Section 25D residential ITC expired Dec 31, 2025 — $0 federal tax credit for cash/loan purchases.
The calculator reflects $0 federal tax credit for cash and loan purchases. Section 25D expired December 31, 2025. Programs like Propel Solar and lease/PPA use a third-party owner to claim the 30% commercial ITC (Section 48/48E) for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026.
The Oncor solar+battery rebate of up to $9,000 is not automatically included in the calculator. If you plan to add battery storage, subtract the applicable rebate from the total system cost for a more accurate net cost estimate.
Common questions about solar panel costs in Dallas.
Compare pricing across all Texas metros — Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and more.
Read guideFull guide to the Oncor rebate program — eligibility, amounts, and how to apply.
Read guideComplete guide to REP buyback rates including TXU retail-match details.
Read guideHow third-party ownership lets you access the 30% ITC before July 4, 2026.
Read guideCompare all financing options for Texas solar in 2026 after the 25D expiration.
Read guideComplete overview of going solar in Texas — incentives, timeline, and what to expect.
Read guideCompare Dallas vs Fort Worth solar pricing and Tarrant County tax benefits.
Read guideCollin County solar costs and how Plano compares to Dallas.
Read guideHow solar buyback works in deregulated ERCOT vs municipal utilities.
Read guideLast updated: March 16, 2026. Prices, rebate amounts, REP buyback rates, and utility programs may change. Contact NuWatt Energy or Oncor for current information.
NuWatt Energy partners with experienced DFW solar installers who know Oncor territory — from the battery rebate application to hail-resistant panel selection and TXU buyback optimization. Get a free assessment tailored to your neighborhood and roof.