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Partner with NuWatt to integrate solar into your new home builds. Pre-wire during construction, offer buyers $0-down financing through Propel, and differentiate your homes in the most competitive housing market in the country.
2,650+
Avg Sun Hours/Year
~240,000
New Homes Built (2025)
+4.1%
Solar Value Added
100%
Property Tax Exempt
Installing solar during new construction saves builders $2,000-$4,300 per home compared to retrofit. Pre-wiring costs just $300-$500 during rough-in. Texas law (SB 1637) exempts solar from property tax, so buyers get added home value with zero tax penalty. The federal residential tax credit (25D) is gone, but Section 48 TPO lets financing companies claim 30%+ ITC on projects started before July 4, 2026 — keeping buyer costs low. NuWatt Propel offers $0-down financing in Texas with FEOC-compliant Silfab 440W panels.
Solar is no longer a luxury upgrade. It is a competitive advantage that moves homes faster, increases margins, and future-proofs your builds against evolving energy codes.
Texas Energy Code (2021 IECC) now incentivizes solar-ready design. Pre-wiring during construction ensures compliance without costly retrofits.
Homes with solar sell for 4.1% more on average (Zillow). In Texas, that translates to $12,000-$18,000 in added value on a median-priced home.
Solar-included homes sell 20% faster. In a competitive TX market, solar is the upgrade that moves inventory and attracts energy-conscious buyers.
NuWatt Propel financing means buyers get solar at $0 down with no credit score requirement. Removes the biggest objection to solar upgrades.
From initial consultation to buyer move-in, NuWatt handles every aspect of solar integration. Your team focuses on building homes. We focus on powering them.
We review your development plans, lot orientations, and roof designs to create a solar integration strategy that works for your build timeline.
Our team installs conduit, junction boxes, and panel-ready wiring during the rough-in phase. Cost: ~$300-$500 per home vs $2,000+ for retrofit.
We handle all engineering, structural calculations, utility interconnection applications, and permitting. Zero burden on your team.
Solar goes on the roof during the final construction phase or shortly after close. Buyers move into a solar-powered home from day one.
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. Homebuyers who purchase solar with cash or a loan get $0 in federal credits. This changed the economics of builder solar programs completely.
However, Section 48/48E is still available for projects that begin construction before July 4, 2026. Here is how it works for builder programs:
Third-party financing company (not the builder, not the installer) owns the solar system and claims the 30%+ ITC.
Builder carries zero cost — the financing company funds the system. Builder just provides access and pre-wiring.
Buyer benefits from lower pricing because the financing company passes the tax credit savings through as reduced monthly payments.
FEOC compliance required — panels must meet Foreign Entity of Concern rules. NuWatt uses Silfab 440W (manufactured in Toronto, Canada).
The 30% base ITC can stack with additional bonuses: +10% for domestic content, +10% for energy communities, and +10-20% for low-income projects — up to 70% total. For builder programs in qualifying Texas census tracts, this makes solar nearly free for the financing company, which translates to the lowest possible buyer pricing.
Typical 8 kW New Home System
$19,200
@ $2.40/W installed (new construction pricing)
Section 48 ITC (30% base)
-$5,760
Claimed by financing company
Domestic Content Bonus (+10%)
-$1,920
Silfab FEOC-compliant
Net Cost to Financing Co.
$11,520
Passed through as lower buyer payments
Builder Cost
$0
Builder provides access + pre-wire only
Propel removes the biggest barrier to solar adoption in new homes: the upfront cost. Your buyers get solar from day one with no money down and no credit score requirement.
No upfront cost for the buyer. Solar is included in their new home experience without adding to their down payment burden. Monthly payments start after move-in.
Propel does not require a minimum credit score. This opens solar to a broader pool of buyers — especially first-time homeowners who may have limited credit history.
Propel requires Silfab 440W panels (manufactured in Toronto, Canada). These meet all Foreign Entity of Concern requirements, ensuring Section 48 eligibility for the financing company.
Builder pre-wires homes during construction phase
Buyer selects Propel financing during purchase process
NuWatt installs Silfab 440W system before or at closing
Financing company claims Section 48 ITC on the system
Buyer pays lower monthly rate — typically less than their electricity bill would be without solar
Installing solar during construction is dramatically cheaper than retrofitting after the home is complete. Pre-wiring alone saves $1,500-$3,800 by avoiding post-construction electrical work.
| Item | New Construction | Retrofit | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof Penetrations | Integrated during build | Requires drilling & flashing | $300-$600 |
| Electrical Conduit | Run during rough-in | Surface-mounted or trenched | $400-$800 |
| Panel Upgrade | Sized correctly from start | Often needs 200A upgrade | $1,200-$2,500 |
| Attic Access | Open ceiling, easy routing | Work around insulation & HVAC | $200-$400 |
| Permit Timeline | Bundled with building permit | Separate permit, 2-6 weeks | 2-4 weeks faster |
| Total Savings | $2,100-$4,300 |
Even if a buyer does not want solar at closing, pre-wiring during construction is the smartest $300-$500 a builder can spend. Here is why:
Future-Proof the Home
Electricity rates in Texas rose 18% between 2022 and 2025. Every homeowner will consider solar eventually. Pre-wired homes are ready when they are.
Avoid Costly Retrofit
Retrofit wiring costs $2,000-$4,300. Pre-wiring costs $300-$500. That is an 85% savings for a 30-minute addition during rough-in.
Code Compliance Trending
California already requires solar on new homes. Texas municipalities are increasingly adopting solar-ready provisions. Pre-wiring gets ahead of the curve.
Marketing Advantage
“Solar-Ready” is a feature buyers search for. It signals forward-thinking construction and energy consciousness without requiring a full solar install.
Dedicated Conduit Run
3/4" or 1" conduit from attic to electrical panel location
Junction Box at Roof
Weatherproof junction box near optimal panel mounting area
Panel Space Reserved
Two 20A breaker spaces in main panel for future solar connection
Structural Documentation
Roof truss specs and load ratings documented for future installer
South-Facing Roof Optimization
Roof pitch and orientation documented for maximum solar production
Total pre-wire cost: $300-$500 per home during rough-in. Compare to $2,000-$4,300 for post-construction retrofit wiring.
Texas is uniquely positioned for builder solar programs. More sunshine, more new construction, and more favorable policies than almost any other state.
Texas averages 2,650+ sun hours per year — 30% more than the national average. Solar systems produce more energy, which means faster payback and higher savings for buyers.
Texas SB 1637 exempts the added value of solar from property taxes. A solar system that adds $15,000 to home value creates $0 in additional property tax. Major selling point.
85% of Texas is on the deregulated ERCOT grid. Homeowners can choose their retail electric provider and enroll in solar buyback plans that credit excess production.
Texas builds more new homes than any other state. With solar adoption rising, builders who include solar have a clear competitive advantage in buyer attraction.
Texas Property Code Section 202.010 prohibits HOAs from banning solar. They can only impose restrictions that do not increase cost by 10% or decrease output by 10%.
Texas electricity rates rose 18% from 2022-2025 and are projected to continue climbing. Solar locks in energy costs for 25+ years, protecting buyers from rate volatility.
National solar companies treat builders as lead sources. NuWatt treats builders as partners. Here is how the experience differs.
| Feature | NuWatt Energy | National Companies |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Choice | Silfab 440W (FEOC), Hyundai 440W, REC 460W — you choose | Locked to one brand (often non-FEOC) |
| Builder Relationship | Dedicated project manager, direct communication | Call center, ticket-based support |
| Installation Quality | In-house crews, local inspections | Subcontracted, variable quality |
| Buyer Financing | Cash, loan, or Propel ($0 down, no credit check) | Typically lease/PPA only |
| FEOC Compliance | Silfab (Toronto factory) meets FEOC deadline | May use non-FEOC panels — buyer loses TPO benefit |
| Post-Sale Support | Local team, same-day response | 1-800 number, weeks for service |
| Warranty Service | 25-year panel + 10-year workmanship, local claims | 25-year panel, warranty claims routed through HQ |
When a national solar company works with a builder, the builder is a lead channel. The company collects buyer info, sends a salesperson, and the builder has no control over the customer experience. With NuWatt, the builder gets a dedicated project manager who coordinates with the construction schedule, communicates directly with the build team, and ensures the solar installation is seamless. If something needs adjustment, we are on-site the same day.
Builder programs unlock pricing that individual homeowners cannot access. Higher volume means lower per-home costs, faster installation schedules, and streamlined permitting.
Starter Program
10-25 Homes
Per development or annual commitment
Growth Program
25-100 Homes
Per development or annual commitment
Enterprise Program
100+ Homes
Per development or annual commitment
Pricing is custom for each builder partnership. Contact us for a detailed proposal.
Some national solar companies are still marketing the “30% federal tax credit” to builders and buyers. This is misleading. Here is the truth:
Expired December 31, 2025. Homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan receive $0 in federal tax credits.
Any company telling buyers they can claim 30% on a cash purchase is either uninformed or being dishonest.
Still available for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. The third-party financing company (not the builder, not the installer) claims the ITC.
This is how Propel and other TPO programs can still offer competitive pricing to buyers — the financing company captures the tax benefit.
Common questions from Texas home builders exploring solar partnerships.
We start with a consultation to review your development plans, lot layouts, and roof orientations. From there, we create a solar integration plan that fits your build timeline. Our team handles pre-wiring during rough-in, system design, permitting, utility interconnection, and final installation. You get a single point of contact throughout.
Solar pre-wiring during new construction typically costs $300-$500 per home. This includes running conduit from the attic to the electrical panel location and installing junction boxes. Compare that to $2,000-$4,300 for retrofit wiring after the home is complete. Pre-wiring is the single best ROI decision a builder can make for solar readiness.
Under Section 48/48E, a third-party financing company (not the builder, not the installer) owns the solar system and claims the 30%+ Investment Tax Credit. This means the builder carries zero system cost, and the tax benefit flows through as lower pricing for the homebuyer. Projects must begin construction before July 4, 2026 to qualify.
Texas law (Property Code §202.010) strongly protects homeowners' rights to install solar. HOAs cannot prohibit solar panels and can only impose reasonable restrictions on placement that do not increase cost by more than 10% or decrease production by more than 10%. This makes Texas one of the most solar-friendly states for HOA communities.
NuWatt Propel is a $0-down solar financing option available in Texas. It does not require a credit score check. The buyer gets solar panels installed on their new home with no upfront cost. Monthly payments are typically lower than what the buyer would pay for electricity without solar. Propel requires FEOC-compliant panels (Silfab 440W).
We offer three panel tiers: Hyundai 440W (entry-level, great value), Silfab 440W (FEOC-compliant, required for Propel financing, made in Toronto), and REC 460W (premium efficiency). For builder programs, we typically recommend Silfab 440W because it qualifies for both Section 48 TPO and Propel financing.
NuWatt handles the entire interconnection process with the local utility (Oncor in DFW, CenterPoint in Houston, AEP in South TX, etc.). For new construction, we submit the interconnection application during the permitting phase so approval is ready by the time the home is complete. Typical timeline is 2-4 weeks in Texas.
No. The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. Homeowners who buy solar with cash or a loan receive $0 in federal credits. However, Section 48/48E still allows third-party system owners to claim 30%+ ITC on projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026, which translates to lower lease/PPA/Propel pricing for buyers.
Schedule a builder consultation with NuWatt. We will review your development plans, create a solar integration strategy, and show you the economics — including how Propel and Section 48 TPO eliminate cost for you and your buyers.