Solar resource
Your solar production in Fort Worth
5.35 avg peak sun hours/day
Monthly avg solar radiation (kWh/m²/day) — Fort Worth, TX. Bars update to show estimated kWh production when you use the calculator above.
Utility rate
Oncor Electric Delivery (ERCOT deregulated — Retail Electric Provider market) electricity rate
$0.126/kWh residential
- Utility
- Oncor Electric Delivery (ERCOT deregulated — Retail Electric Provider market)
- Residential rate
- $0.126/kWh (blended)
Fort Worth is served by Oncor Electric Delivery for wires and poles infrastructure, but is in Texas's fully deregulated electricity market (ERCOT). This means homeowners choose their own Retail Electric Provider (REP) — providers such as TXU Energy, Gexa Energy, Constellation, and Reliant serve the Fort Worth/Tarrant County area. The $0.126/kWh figure reflects a typical fixed-rate residential plan in the Oncor territory. Rates vary from $0.10 to $0.16+ depending on the REP and plan term. There is no state-mandated net-metering rate — each REP independently sets its solar buyback rate for exported generation, typically $0.03–$0.07/kWh. Oncor Electric Delivery is distinct from Austin Energy (Austin) and CenterPoint Energy (Houston). Fort Worth homeowners must select a solar-friendly REP before or at installation time to maximize export value.
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Incentives
Available solar incentives in Fort Worth, TX
Federal + state + utility
| Incentive | Type | Value | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) | Tax Credit | 30% of system cost | Federal |
| Texas Solar Property Tax Exemption | Exemption | 100% of added home value from solar excluded from property tax assessment | State |
| REP Solar Buyback Programs | Net Metering | Varies by provider — typically $0.03–$0.07/kWh for exported energy | Utility |
Incentive amounts and eligibility rules change. Verify current terms with your installer and a tax professional before installation.
System cost
Cost breakdown (6 kW default)
- Gross system cost
- $17100
- Federal ITC (30%)
- −$5130
- Net system cost
- $11,970
- Installed cost per watt
- $2.85/W
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Tracking the Sun 2024 — Texas median installed cost for systems 3–10 kW, applied to Fort Worth/Tarrant County market.
Payback & long-term value
25-year outlook
- Annual savings (yr 1)
- $1,129
- Simple payback period
- 10.6 years
- 25-year net savings
- $16350
- Assumed annual rate increase
- 2.5%/year
25-year estimate uses flat electricity rate for conservative baseline. Accounting for 2.5% annual rate increases, lifetime savings increase substantially.
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How it works
How solar savings work in Fort Worth
- Fort Worth's North Texas sun is excellent for solar Fort Worth averages 5.35 peak sun hours per day — among the highest in the continental US. An 8 kW system is modeled at approximately 11,940 kWh per year. The DFW area sees fewer cloud days than Houston and benefits from lower humidity, making North Texas a strong solar resource.
- Oncor delivers electricity — your REP sets the rate Oncor Electric Delivery owns and maintains the poles and wires in Fort Worth and Tarrant County, but Texas's deregulated ERCOT market means you choose your own Retail Electric Provider for generation. Your REP — not Oncor — determines your retail rate and your solar buyback rate.
- On-site solar consumption avoids buying from your REP at retail Every kWh your system generates during daylight reduces what you buy from your REP at the retail rate (~$0.126/kWh on a typical fixed-rate plan). Self-consumption is the highest-value use of solar production in Texas's deregulated market because buyback rates for exports are much lower than retail.
- Exported power earns a buyback credit set by your REP Texas has no state-mandated net metering. When your panels produce more than your home uses, excess flows to ERCOT and your REP credits you at its solar buyback rate — typically $0.03–$0.07/kWh. Fort Worth homeowners should select a solar-friendly REP before or at installation to lock in the best export rate. There is no SREC market in Texas.
- The federal ITC cuts the upfront cost by 30% On a modeled $17,100 installed cost, the 30% federal ITC reduces your tax bill by approximately $5,130, bringing net upfront cost to $11,970 before financing. Texas has no state income tax, so there is no additional state solar credit beyond the property tax exemption.
- Texas's property tax exemption eliminates the solar assessment add-on Texas Tax Code §11.27 exempts 100% of the value added to your home by a solar installation from property tax assessment. A $17,100 system in Fort Worth could add $15,000–$20,000 to appraised value; the exemption avoids $300–$500 per year in Tarrant County property taxes.
- Savings compound as REP rates rise over time Texas retail electricity rates have risen historically at roughly 2.5% per year. As REP rates increase, your solar savings grow while the system cost stays fixed. A well-sized Fort Worth system right-sized to household consumption can produce durable long-run value over its 25-year lifespan.
FAQ
Common solar savings questions for Fort Worth, TX
How much can I save with solar panels in Fort Worth, TX?
A 6 kW system in Fort Worth is modeled at approximately 8,955 kWh per year. At a typical retail rate of ~$0.126/kWh, first-year savings are estimated around $1,129. After the 30% federal ITC, simple payback is approximately 10.6 years, with 25-year net savings around $16,350.
Who is my electric utility in Fort Worth?
Oncor Electric Delivery is the regulated wires utility serving Fort Worth and Tarrant County — they own the poles, lines, and metering infrastructure. However, because Texas is deregulated, you purchase electricity generation from a Retail Electric Provider (REP) of your choice. Oncor is different from Austin Energy (which serves Austin) and CenterPoint Energy (which serves Houston).
Does Fort Worth have net metering for solar?
Texas does not have a state-mandated net metering law. In the Fort Worth/Oncor territory, your solar buyback rate is set by your Retail Electric Provider, not Oncor. Buyback rates are typically $0.03–$0.07/kWh for exported solar — much less than the retail rate you'd pay to buy power. Self-consumption is the highest-value use of solar production. Choosing a solar-friendly REP before installation matters.
Does Texas have a SREC market for Fort Worth solar owners?
No. Texas does not have a Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) market. States like New Jersey, Maryland, and Massachusetts generate SRECs per MWh of solar produced that can be sold for additional income — Texas does not. The main incentives in Fort Worth are the federal 30% ITC and the Texas property tax exemption.
What is the difference between Oncor and a Retail Electric Provider in Fort Worth?
Oncor Electric Delivery is the regulated transmission and distribution utility (TDU) — it owns the wires and poles, delivers electricity, and maintains the infrastructure. A Retail Electric Provider (REP) is the company you buy your electricity generation from and pay your bill to. In Texas's deregulated market, you can switch REPs for better rates or solar buyback terms. Oncor handles outages and metering regardless of your REP choice.
What state solar incentives are available in Fort Worth?
The primary state-level benefit is the Texas Solar Property Tax Exemption (Tax Code §11.27), which exempts 100% of the appraised value added by a solar installation from property tax assessment. Texas has no state income tax, so there is no state solar income tax credit and no SREC market. The federal 30% ITC is the main financial incentive for Fort Worth solar installations.
How does Fort Worth solar compare to Dallas solar?
Fort Worth and Dallas are both in Oncor Electric Delivery's service territory within ERCOT, so the deregulated REP structure and lack of state-mandated net metering apply to both cities. Fort Worth's solar resource (5.35 peak sun hours/day) is nearly identical to Dallas (5.38), making annual system output comparable for similar-sized installations. System costs and installer competition in the DFW market are similar for both cities.
Do I need a permit for solar in Fort Worth?
Yes. Rooftop solar installations require a building permit from Fort Worth Development Services and an interconnection agreement with Oncor. If you are also planning a deck project, review the Fort Worth deck permit guide to ensure both projects follow the city's 2021 IRC requirements and wind-load amendments.
Sources
Data sources and freshness
- https://developer.nrel.gov/docs/solar/pvwatts/v8/
- https://www.oncor.com/residential/solar
- https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TX/htm/TX.11.htm
- https://programs.dsireusa.org/system/program/TX
- https://www.puc.texas.gov/industry/electric/retail/netmetering.aspx
- https://emp.lbl.gov/tracking-the-sun
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-federal-tax-credit-solar-photovoltaics
- https://www.ercot.com/
- https://www.oncor.com/
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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only — not financial or investment advice. Solar savings depend on actual shading, roof orientation, energy usage patterns, rate changes, and equipment performance. Consult a licensed installer and a tax professional before making purchasing decisions. Verify incentive eligibility with official sources. Data last verified 2026-04-19.