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Plano solar costs $2.50–$2.90/W in Oncor territory. A 10 kW system runs ~$27,000 gross. Oncor battery rebate, TXU retail-match (1:1 net metering), Texas Solar Rights Act (SB 1626), and Propel financing with Section 48E through July 4, 2026. No federal 25D tax credit.
2026 Alert: The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Plano homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan receive $0 in federal tax credits. All prices shown are full installed cost. Programs like Propel Solar use a third-party owner to access the commercial ITC (Section 48E) through July 4, 2026.
What a Plano homeowner actually pays in 2026 — with and without the Oncor solar+battery rebate. Plano's affluent neighborhoods in Legacy West, Willow Bend, and West Plano have newer homes with large roofs ideal for solar.
| System Size | Panels (440W) | Gross Cost | Annual Production | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | 14 | $16,200 | 9,540 kWh | $1,431 |
| 8 kW | 18 | $21,600 | 12,720 kWh | $1,908 |
| 10 kW | 23 | $27,000 | 15,900 kWh | $2,385 |
| 12 kW | 27 | $32,400 | 19,080 kWh | $2,862 |
Oncor's solar+battery rebate is the best utility solar incentive in any deregulated Texas territory. Here is how it works for Plano homeowners. The Oncor $600/unit rebate is available for qualifying installations.
A typical battery (Tesla Powerwall 3, 13.5 kWh) costs $12,000-$13,000 installed. With the Oncor rebate, your net battery cost drops significantly. In DFW, the primary battery value is backup power during grid outages (ERCOT reliability concerns after Winter Storm Uri and subsequent summer heat events). If backup power matters to you — especially in Plano's summer heat where temperatures regularly exceed 100°F — the Oncor rebate makes battery storage an excellent deal.
Plano is one of the most HOA-dense cities in Texas. Nearly every neighborhood in Legacy West, Willow Bend, Chase Oaks, and West Plano has an HOA. Texas law protects your right to install solar.
Section 25D (the residential solar tax credit) is dead. But Section 48E — the commercial/third-party ITC — is still available for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. Here is how Plano homeowners can benefit.
Expired December 31, 2025. Homeowners who buy solar with cash or a loan get $0 federal tax credit. This is the credit that used to cover 30%.
30% commercial ITC available for third-party system owners (not homeowners directly). Must begin construction before July 4, 2026. This is what Propel Solar uses.
Projects must begin construction before July 4, 2026. This means signing a contract, paying a deposit, and starting site work. You cannot wait until summer to start.
To meet the July 4, 2026 construction start deadline, Plano homeowners should begin the process no later than April-May 2026. Here is why:
Collin County sees the same hail risk as greater DFW. 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 |
Plano 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. This is effectively 1:1 net metering — 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. 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 Plano solar owners.
File Form 50-123 with the Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD) 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 Collin County's 1.86% rate on a $27,000 system, this saves approximately $502 per year in the first decade. Plano residents in the ~290,000-person city benefit from one of the lower property tax rates in the DFW metroplex.
All DFW cities share Oncor delivery territory with the same buyback options and battery rebate. The main differences are property tax rates and local permit processes.
| City | $/W Range | Avg Rate | County | Tax Rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plano This Page | $2.50-$2.90 | ~15¢/kWh | Collin | 1.86% | 10-12 yrs |
| Dallas | $2.55-$2.85 | ~15¢/kWh | Dallas | 2.10% | 11-13 yrs |
| Frisco | $2.50-$2.90 | ~15¢/kWh | Collin/Denton | 2.16% | 10-12 yrs |
| McKinney | $2.50-$2.90 | ~15¢/kWh | Collin | 2.21% | 10-12 yrs |
| Richardson | $2.50-$2.90 | ~15¢/kWh | Collin/Dallas | 2.25% | 11-13 yrs |
| Allen | $2.50-$2.90 | ~15¢/kWh | Collin | 2.05% | 10-12 yrs |
Plano has several advantages over other DFW suburbs for solar: lower Collin County property tax rate (1.86% vs. 2.10-2.25% in Dallas and Richardson), newer housing stock with large south-facing rooftops in affluent neighborhoods, and easy access to TXU retail-match buyback in Oncor territory. The main trade-off is that most Plano neighborhoods are HOA-governed, but Texas SB 1626 protects your solar rights regardless. All DFW cities share the same Oncor battery rebate eligibility.
What to know about going solar in Plano — from roof types and permits to the deregulated electricity market.
Estimate your Plano-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 use a third-party owner to claim the 30% commercial ITC (Section 48E) for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026.
The Oncor solar+battery rebate 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.
Propel Solar is available in Plano and leverages Section 48E to give 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 48E commercial ITC — savings that homeowners cannot access since 25D expired. That tax benefit funds your $0 upfront cost.
If your Plano electricity bill is $160/mo, your Propel payment is approximately $144/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 Plano 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 Collin County's property tax exemption, Propel delivers strong value in Oncor territory. Must begin construction before July 4, 2026 to qualify for Section 48E.
Common questions about solar panel costs in Plano.
Full guide to the Oncor rebate program — eligibility, amounts, and how to apply.
Read guideSolar costs in neighboring Dallas — same Oncor territory, Dallas County tax rate.
Read guideNeighboring Frisco in Collin/Denton County — similar pricing, higher tax rate.
Read guideComplete guide to REP buyback rates including TXU retail-match details.
Read guideCompare financing options for Texas solar — including Propel and traditional loans.
Read guideComplete overview of going solar in Texas — incentives, timeline, and what to expect.
Read guideHow Texas handles solar exports — no state mandate, but REP buyback programs fill the gap.
Read guideHow the commercial ITC works for homeowners through third-party financing programs.
Read guideCollin County neighbor McKinney — similar Oncor territory pricing, same battery rebate.
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, HOA approvals, and TXU buyback optimization. Section 48E deadline is July 4, 2026. Get a free assessment tailored to your Plano home.