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New Braunfels solar costs $2.00–$2.40/W — but the ROI is significantly worse than nearby Oncor cities. New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) is a municipal utility with ~$0.12/kWh rates and avoided-cost buyback (~$0.04-0.05/kWh). Payback is 14-17 years. No Oncor rebate, no TXU retail-match, no Propel Solar.
2026 Alert: Federal 25D expired. $0 federal credit. New Braunfels is served by NBU (municipal) — no Oncor rebate, no TXU retail-match, no Propel Solar. Buyback at avoided cost only.
We believe in honest assessments. NBU makes solar a tough financial proposition.
NBU charges ~$0.12/kWh — lower than Oncor territory ($0.14-0.16). Lower rates mean less savings per kWh your solar produces.
NBU pays ~$0.04-0.05/kWh for exported solar. TXU retail-match in Oncor pays $0.14-0.16. Your exports earn 70% less in New Braunfels.
Oncor cities get $9,000 solar+battery rebates. NBU offers nothing equivalent. San Marcos (15 min north) is in Oncor territory.
| Factor | New Braunfels (NBU) | San Marcos (Oncor) |
|---|---|---|
| Electric rate | ~$0.12/kWh | $0.14-0.16/kWh |
| Solar buyback | ~$0.04-0.05/kWh | Retail-match (~$0.15) |
| Utility rebate | $0 | Up to $9,000 |
| Propel Solar | Not available | Available |
| Payback | 14-17 years | 9-11 years |
Solar + battery means backup power during grid outages. After ERCOT stress events, energy independence has real value regardless of financial ROI.
14-17-year payback means 8-11 years of free electricity before system end-of-life. The math works, it just takes patience.
If you exceed $200/month on NBU, maximizing self-consumption (vs export) improves ROI. Size the system to offset most daytime usage.
Unlike Georgetown (100% renewable), NBU uses a traditional energy mix. Your panels genuinely reduce carbon emissions in the NBU service area.
| Utility | Buyback Rate | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) | ~$0.04-0.05/kWh | Avoided cost | Far below retail. No retail-match available. |
The property tax exemption is the best incentive available to NBU customers.
Set rate to ~$0.12/kWh for NBU. Actual savings lower due to avoided-cost buyback.
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.
Last updated: March 8, 2026.