Solar Atlas · Texas
Is solar worth it in Austin, TX?
A 7 kWdc rooftop array in Austin makes about 10,382 kWh a year (NLR PVWatts, modeled) and pays back in 23.6 years at Austin Energy’s 13.2¢/kWh residential rate (2026 est.), with no federal credit. Exports follow Austin Energy Value of Solar.
30.27°N · 10.0–14.0 h daylight · site signature
- Production
- 1,483 kWh per kWdc per year · capacity factor 16.9% AC
- Residential rate
- 13.2¢/kWh · Austin Energy
- Exported solar
- Austin Energy Value of Solar · 9.91¢/kWh
- Climate
- humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa) · 21.1 °C mean, 921 mm/yr
Source: NLR PVWatts v8.5.0 (NSRDB PSM V3 GOES tmy-2020 3.2.0) — 1 kW, tilt 20°, azimuth 180°, roof mount, 14% losses · fetched 2026-09-24 · modeled, not metered
Source: EIA-861 2024 utility average × EIA state trend · 2026 est. · EIA Texas average Jan–Jul 2026 16.1¢ · utility’s EIA-861 2024 average 12.6¢
Source: Austin Energy residential customers with on-site solar under 1 MW-AC (all solar production is purchased) · checked 2026-09-25
Source: NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US (6 km away) · fetched 2026-09-24
No federal credit: the homeowner credit (§25D) ended for systems installed after 2025-12-31. A lease or PPA price may reflect the lessor’s §48E credit. 26 U.S.C. §25D(h) and (e)(8)(A) · policy as of 2026-09-24
Make it your answer
Start from your bill. Everything else is prefilled from this page and can be changed.
Your exact roof, or a business
The payback calculator runs hourly PVWatts at your address. The Modeler opens a grid-tied home at Austin. A business goes to the Quote Studio with the 10.3¢/kWh commercial rate.