Solar Calculators for Houston, Texas

Free tools with illustrative Houston planning inputs. Replace energy rates and installation costs with your bill and written quote.

Quick answer

Start with your exact utility account and roof design. The 5.3 sun hours and 13.0 cents/kWh below are planning assumptions, not verified current rates for Houston. Confirm CenterPoint / TXU eligibility and export settlement.

Notes updated 2026-07-26

Best for: Houston homeowners comparing a proposal or estimating savings before calling installers.
Inputs needed: 12-month kWh usage, roof shade, CenterPoint / TXU, quoted $/W
Formula used: Local production = system kW × local peak sun hours × 365, then adjusted for losses.
Method references: NREL PVWatts, CenterPoint / TXU, Texas incentive rules

Peak sun hours

5.3

hrs/day planning assumption

Illustrative energy rate

13.0¢

per kWh (CenterPoint / TXU)

Typical install cost

$2.6/W

planning assumption, not a market median

Net metering policy: Avoided-cost credit only

What Houston homeowners should check

Houston combines strong sun with heat, humidity, heavy rain, and hurricane exposure. Roof age, wind-rated attachments, drainage paths, and equipment placement above flood-prone areas deserve attention during design.

CenterPoint maintains the distribution grid while the retail electricity provider may set the solar buyback plan. Compare import and export terms together because an attractive export credit can be offset by a higher retail rate or monthly fee.

At the state level, Texas currently uses no statewide net metering law. A typical interconnection takes 2–8 weeks depending on utility, but utility review and local permitting can extend that range. Check current rules before relying on a proposal's export-credit or installation-date assumptions.

What should I verify before signing a solar contract in Houston?

Confirm that the quote names your actual utility, uses a recent electricity rate, includes measured shade and roof-condition findings, and explains who handles permits and interconnection. Ask the installer to separate guaranteed equipment and workmanship terms from estimated production, incentives, and savings.

Illustrative 8 kW system in Houston

Annual production

13,297 kWh

Retail-value ceiling

$1,729

System cost (est.)

$20,800

Energy-only cost/value ratio

~12 yrs

Illustrative 5.3 peak sun hours, 14.08% production losses, 13.0 cents/kWh and $2.6/W. The retail-value ceiling assumes every kWh earns retail value; lower export credits reduce it. The cost/value ratio is not a full payback model and excludes repairs, financing and rate changes. No new Section 25D homeowner credit in 2026.