Solar savings & payback in Houston
Gulf humidity and clouds trim output; a good buyback plan matters most here.
This calculator uses Houston's own sun (~4.3 kWh/kW/day, 4% below the TX average) with Texas's rate and export rules. For a typical $150/month bill we estimate a payback of about 14.4 years.
- Houston sun
- ~4.3 kWh/kW/day
- TX average sun
- ~4.5 kWh/kW/day
- Electricity rate
- 15¢/kWh
- Net metering
- Net billing (reduced export rate)
Statewide policy, incentives, and the full cost-by-size table live on the Texas page
Where your money goes
Your 25-year money curve
What the planet gets
Net metering credits exported power against what you draw from the grid. Rates vary by state, California's NEM 3.0 pays much less for exports than 1:1 states.
Enter a valid monthly bill and tariff greater than zero to see your results.
Houston solar FAQs
Is solar worth it in Houston?
For a typical $150/month bill, we estimate a Houston system pays for itself in about 14.4 years, using local sun (~4.3 kWh per kW per day), Texas's average 15¢/kWh rate, and net billing (reduced export rate). No federal tax credit is assumed (it expired at the end of 2025). Gulf humidity and clouds trim output; a good buyback plan matters most here.
How much do solar panels generate in Houston?
Roughly 4.3 kWh per installed kW per day averaged over the year, about 1,570 kWh per kW annually. A typical 6kW system produces around 9400 kWh a year here. Roof orientation and shading move these figures.
What rebates are available in Houston?
Choosing a good solar buyback plan matters more than the base rate. Utility-level programs come and go, check your utility's website and dsireusa.org for anything city-specific before signing.