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Georgetown solar costs $2.00–$2.40/W — but the ROI is significantly worse than neighboring cities. Georgetown Utility Systems (GUS) is already 100% renewable, charges only ~$0.11/kWh, and pays solar buyback at avoided cost (~$0.03-0.04/kWh). Payback is 14-18 years. We believe in being honest about this.
2026 Alert: The federal 25D solar tax credit expired Dec 31, 2025 — $0 federal credit. Additionally, Georgetown is a municipal utility (GUS) outside Oncor territory — no Oncor rebate, no TXU retail-match, no Propel Solar. Solar buyback is at avoided cost only.
We believe in honest assessments. Here is why Georgetown solar economics are significantly worse than nearby cities — and why that matters for your decision.
GUS charges ~$0.11/kWh — among the lowest in the Austin metro. Lower rates mean less savings per kWh your solar produces. Oncor territory cities pay $0.14-0.16/kWh, generating 30-45% more savings per kWh.
GUS pays solar customers the avoided cost for exported power — approximately 3-4 cents per kWh. Compare to TXU retail-match in Oncor territory at 14-16 cents. Your exported solar earns 75% less in Georgetown.
Oncor cities get up to $9,000 in solar+battery rebates. Georgetown is served by GUS — a municipal utility outside Oncor territory. There is no equivalent GUS rebate program for solar.
| Factor | Georgetown (GUS) | Round Rock / Cedar Park (Oncor) |
|---|---|---|
| Electric rate | ~$0.11/kWh | $0.14-0.16/kWh |
| Solar buyback | ~$0.03-0.04/kWh | Retail-match (~$0.15/kWh) |
| Utility rebate | $0 | Up to $9,000 |
| Propel Solar | Not available | Available |
| Payback period | 14-18 years | 9-11 years |
| Grid already clean? | Yes, 100% renewable | No (ERCOT mix) |
Despite the poor financial ROI, there are legitimate reasons to consider solar in Georgetown.
Solar + battery gives you backup power during grid outages — regardless of your utility. After Winter Storm Uri and ERCOT grid stress events, energy independence has real value. A solar+battery system means you keep the lights on when the grid goes down, even if GUS loses power.
If you plan to stay in your Georgetown home for 15+ years, solar still produces a positive return — just a slower one. The 14-18-year payback means you get 7-11 years of free electricity before the system reaches end of life at 25-30 years. The math works, it just takes patience.
If your monthly GUS bill consistently exceeds $200, you consume enough electricity that a well-sized system can offset most of your usage directly (self-consumption). Minimizing export to GUS at the low avoided-cost rate improves your effective ROI.
Even though GUS is 100% renewable, your panels give you personal energy sovereignty. Your power generation is on your roof, under your control, independent of utility contracts or rate changes. Some Georgetown homeowners value this regardless of ROI.
Installation costs are similar to other Austin suburbs — the difference is in the returns, not the cost.
Georgetown Utility Systems pays solar customers at avoided cost — not retail rate. This is the single biggest factor hurting Georgetown solar ROI.
| Utility | Buyback Rate | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown Utility Systems (GUS) | ~$0.03-0.04/kWh | Avoided cost | Far below retail. No retail-match available. |
GUS pays you what it would have cost them to buy that power on the wholesale market — approximately 3-4 cents per kWh. Since GUS already has cheap wind and solar contracts, this rate is very low. Compare to TXU retail-match in Oncor territory where exported solar earns 14-16 cents per kWh. If you export 30% of your production, that's the difference between earning ~$170/year (GUS) and ~$730/year (TXU retail-match) on the same exported kWh.
Central Texas moderate hail risk — similar to other Austin suburbs.
| 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 |
The property tax exemption is the single best financial incentive available to Georgetown solar owners.
File Form 50-123 with WCAD by April 30 following installation. At 1.95% on $22,000, this saves $429/year initially. This is the one incentive that works the same in Georgetown as in Oncor cities.
Estimate your costs. Note: the calculator uses standard Texas rates — adjust your rate to $0.11/kWh for accurate Georgetown estimates.
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.
Set your electricity rate to ~$0.11/kWh for GUS territory. The calculator does not account for the GUS avoided-cost buyback (~$0.03-0.04/kWh for exports) — your actual savings will be lower than shown if you export significant solar production.
Last updated: March 8, 2026.
We'll give you an honest, no-pressure assessment for your Georgetown home. If the numbers don't work, we'll tell you — and explain what alternative approaches might make sense.