The ATX, Live Music Capital of the World, goes solar

The state of solar in Austin

Austin, TX, is an ideal place to go solar. This Central Texas city has an annual average of 228 sunny days each year, higher than the national average.^*Bestplaces.net, Climate in Austin, Texas (8/30/2021) As of 2020, Austin was the 21st-best solar city in the U.S, with 89% of its buildings solar-viable.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018)

How much solar power does Austin, TX produce?

According to the Shining Cities 2020 report, Austin has enough solar capacity to supply 64.14 watts of electricity per person. With its high solar viability, the city could potentially generate 6.2 million megawatt-hours of electricity each year. That’s 6.2 trillion hours of energy output!^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018)

What are the advantages of going solar in Austin?

Electricity costs are steadily rising, but going solar in Austin can help you save money. After a reputable solar provider installs the solar panels on your home, the system will begin generating energy right away. You’ll see immediate savings on your utility bills.

A solar system will also boost your home’s value, making it more attractive to potential homebuyers. Even if you choose not to sell your home in the near future, you’ll still save money, thanks to the average 13-year payback period—the time it takes to pay off your solar power system through savings on your electric bill. Solar systems typically come with extended warranties of 20 to 25 years, so you would enjoy years of saving on electric bills.

How much does solar cost in Austin?

The cost of a home solar system can vary due to a range of factors, even among houses in the same city. These factors include the:

• Roof space

• Roof materials

• Quality of the solar panels

• Local weather

• Household’s energy needs

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020

In Austin, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kilowatt solar system—the system an average home can accommodate—ranges from $13,150 to $14,250. Or, in other words, it costs from $2.63 to $2.85 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

A measure of energy output, a kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 1,000 watts (a kilowatt) producing energy for one hour. The average U.S. household uses just over 900 kWh per month.^*Energy Sage, What is a Kilowatt Hour? (9/312021).

Austin residents can take advantage of the federal solar Investment Tax Credit, which provides a 26% tax credit for the cost of installing a new solar system. The credit applies for various expenses, such as solar contractor labor and equipment.

Locally, energy companies like Austin Energy offer rebates to their customers who go solar. For instance, the utility will provide a $2,500 rebate if you complete its solar power education course and install a qualifying solar system.^*Austin Energy, Solar Solutions (8/30/2021)

You can also participate in Austin Energy’s net metering program and sell any excess energy your system produces to the power grid for utility bill credits.^*Austin Energy, Residential Rates (8/30/2021)

Please note that tax credits and incentives are subject to change, as are net metering programs. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Austin?

Work with a skilled and knowledgeable solar provider to help you move to solar. These experts know the solar brands and can match you with the high-efficiency solar panels and storage solutions that best suit your goals.

Before meeting with a solar installer, use a savings calculator to quickly build a custom solar system design for your home. This virtual design will help you estimate how much money you’ll save on electric bills and the amount of power your system will produce.

Get started now. Request your consultation with SunPower. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.