Welcome to your all-in-one resource about making the switch to solar in Texas's capitol city! Being a well-informed consumer is important, and down below, we give you all the information you need to make the decision whether or not to go solar. Scouring everywhere from government websites to Reddit pages, we left no stone unturned.
No two markets are the same
Uncover tax credits and rebates to maximize your solar savings.
Understand City of Austin Utilities net metering policies for solar energy.
See how solar can cut costs and increase your home's value.
Big companies to local companies, how will you choose who to go with?
If you're thinking about going solar in Austin, you're exploring one of the most promising markets for residential solar energy in the country.
While interest in solar has surged across Texas, making the right decision for your home requires more than browsing online articles or watching YouTube videos. Every system depends on your specific roof (which direction the slants of your roof face and how much of it can actually be used), your energy usage (as shown in kilowatt hours on your electric bill), and your long-term plans as a homeowner (is this property your forever home, are you going to rent it out short term with plans to sell in a few years, etc.).
This guide was designed to walk you through the main motivations for going solar in Austin, the common challenges you may encounter, the incentives currently available, and whether a battery system makes sense for you. It covers the essential 90% of what you need to know, and highlights why speaking with a consultant is still necessary to answer the final 10% that only a tailored assessment can provide.
“We went online in February 2015 and until this July had not had a electric bill since then.” - nova_johnny, Reddit user in r/Austin
Austin enjoys long sunny seasons, which makes solar panels especially efficient. Coupled with high summer electricity bills, largely driven by air conditioning, solar can start saving you money from day one.
As of 2025, with a credit score above 650, many homeowners can finance a solar system for less than their existing monthly electricity bill. In addition to in-full cash payments, most providers offer leasing and financing options, each with its own benefits.
For many, solar is not just a financial choice, but a way to enhance home value and reduce environmental impact. Texas offers a property tax exemption for solar installations, meaning your home value can increase without increasing your property taxes. In a city known for its environmental values, this matters.
Solar plus battery backup offers peace of mind and energy independence—especially in a state that has experienced extreme grid failures, like the 2021 winter storm.
Despite its advantages, solar is not without complications. Austin’s more mature neighborhoods, especially in areas like Zilker and South Austin, have abundant tree coverage that can reduce solar efficiency. In such cases, trimming or removing trees may be required to make the investment worthwhile.
Roof design can also impact system viability. Homes with aging shingles, multiple roof angles, or shading obstacles may require additional planning and costs. Some people may need new roofs entirely. Thankfully, most solar companies can accommodate a new roof into the project.
Furthermore, some homeowners are surprised to learn that solar panels do not provide backup power unless paired with a battery. Grid-tied systems automatically shut off during outages for safety.
Bad actors have been prevalent with the solar boom of the last decade. Some companies have misled homeowners with false promises, overpriced systems, and poor service.
The difference between a smart investment and a costly mistake comes down to who you trust. A good solar provider is transparent, credentialed, backs their work with real warranties, and puts education before sales pressure. If they rush you, dodge your questions, or seem vague about savings, walk away. If you wish to move forward with working with a solar consultant, we have audited most of the solar companies here in Austin and will ensure you're taken care of, not sold to.
Austin residents can benefit from a combination of local, state, and federal incentives that make solar more affordable. Locally, Austin Energy offers a $2,500 rebate for qualifying solar systems. Recieving it requires two things, you must complete a short online Solar Education Course and use an installer approved by Austin Energy. Your system must also meet specific design and equipment standards and be grid-tied with a capacity under 20 kW.
Once installed, your installer will submit the rebate application, and the rebate is typically applied as an upfront discount on your total system cost.
In addition, Austin Energy uses a billing program known as the Value of Solar. Rather than traditional net metering, where you're credited for excess energy sent back to the grid, the Value of Solar program pays you a set rate—currently between 9.7 and 10.5 cents per kilowatt-hour—for every unit of solar electricity your system produces.
These credits are applied monthly to offset your electric bill but do not roll over as cash. While not equivalent to retail electricity rates, the credits significantly reduce your bill and are considered competitive compared to other utility programs.
On the state level, Texas offers a 100% property tax exemption for the added value of solar, ensuring that installing a system won't increase your property taxes. For example, If the value of your solar system is $20k, you won't have to pay for that $20k in added home value.
Federally, you can claim the 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to deduct 30% of your system’s total cost—equipment, labor, and battery storage—from your federal tax bill. To qualify, you must own the system, have it installed and operational during the tax year, and owe federal income taxes. The credit is claimed using IRS Form 5695 and can be rolled over to future years if the full amount isn’t used in one year.
The vast majority of Austin homeowners who go solar see immediate benefits—lower bills, increased property value, and the satisfaction of making a smart, sustainable choice. Many see their electric bills drop by more than half, particularly in summer. They also value the environmental impact and appreciate the available rebates.
However, some are caught off guard when they discover that solar panels do not function during outages without a battery, or that the Value of Solar program does not offer full retail credit for energy.
Homeowners who take the time to understand how solar works, ask the right questions, and work with a qualified consultant are often the most satisfied.
Looking through reviews of solar companies in Austin, there are hundreds of happy customers and only a few dozen unhappy ones. The unhappy customers on reddit, google reviews, and beyond say that they "got scammed" into purchasing a system that costs them more money than they were paying previously for electricity. A situation nobody wants to be in, this is the result of shady solar consultant deals. Whether its a consultant working for a company that went under, or not negotiating good interest rates on the buyer's behalf, here at the Vypr Agency, we conclude that the grand majority of issues homeowners face is with the consultant themselves
Choosing solar is one of the smartest long-term decisions a homeowner in Austin can make, but only if it's tailored to your home. A knowledgeable solar consultant will show you exactly how solar can save you money, boost your home's value, and protect you from future energy volatility. They'll help you understand battery options, incentives, and potential savings—and create a system tailored to your goals and budget. The right consultant won't oversell; they'll help you make a confident, informed decision.
The term Consultant is used in our copy here through thoughtful design. Gone are the days where a salesperson would show up at your door asking to see your energy bill and making an appointment. Today with so much information available online, the person assisting you in your decision to go solar or not can be labeled as a consultant, answering specific questions tailored to your needs. You want clean, renewable, cheaper electricity, but they are the ones who will help you put it on your roof.
I'm sure you've heard the horror stories about how your neighbor/friend/family member got screwed over going solar. This comes down to two factors: The solar company itself, and the ethics of the consultant who guides you through the nitty gritty. In the past ten years solar companies have been going out of business left and right. Luckily, this makes searching for a legitimate company much easier as companies such as Blue Raven and Freedom Solar have a verifyable track record.
As far as the solar consultant goes, some useful questions to ask them might include:
Also, check out our FAQ page to get a broader list of questions and tailor them to your home.
Ready to See What Solar Looks Like for Your Home?
Now, as an informed consumer, it's time to get answers that actually reflect your home, roof, and utility bills. By providing just a few details, we’ll generate a personalized solar proposal with a vetted solar professional that shows how many panels your roof can support, how much you could save each month, and whether a battery makes sense for you. It will also confirm if you qualify for the $2,500 Austin Energy rebate and the 30% federal tax credit.
It's simple to search up a company, but who they send out to you? That's another discussion. A company can have great reviews, but some of their individual solar consultants might have less than stellar ethics. Thats why we interviewed dozens of consultants from top companies to get you paired with someone who will guide you through the process ethically and efficiently.
Here at the Vyper Agency, we believe in delivering the highest quality information, paired with the best service in the solar industry across the U.S. If you experience anything less than a smooth, money saving experience start to finish, please let us know so we can refine our green future delivery system.
Start your custom estimate now. No spam, no pressure, just real numbers. And If there is pressure, you can report the solar consultant you spoke with to our customer service team.
Learn about local incentives, net metering policies, and more to maximize your solar investment.
Get startedExplore the various tax credits and rebates available in your area to reduce the cost of solar installation.
Understand how net metering can help you save on energy bills by selling excess solar power back to the grid.
Discover how solar energy can reduce your carbon footprint and increase your home's value.
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