Have you been thinking about going solar? Maybe you’ve thought about it but haven’t been quite ready to make the jump. Well, let us put your concerns at ease with these six solar rebates and incentives Austin, Texas offers its residents when they make the decision to go solar.

GOING SOLAR IN AUSTIN

1. The Federal Solar Tax Credit

This is hands-down the biggest discount residents of Austin can take advantage of. The federal government is now offering a 30% solar tax credit for homeowners who makes the switch to solar.*

That means you can reduce the overall cost of your residential solar panel array before they’re even saving you money on the power bill! Not only that, but if you don’t use all your tax credits the first year, they’ll roll over to the next. Easy peasy!

2. Home Value Increase

If you’ve ever considered solar panels for your home, chances are this question has crossed your mind. While the increased home value from owning a solar panel system is based on a few factors, solar panels are likely to raise your home’s value.

3. No State Property Tax

If you’re a Texan homeowner, chances are you are not always excited about the idea of a home value raise due to the added cost of property taxes. Well, we have fantastic news, the Texas tax code allows homeowners to exclude the added value of their solar panel system from their property taxes. In other words, you can increase your home’s value without the burden of paying higher property taxes by installing solar panels.

4. Net Metering

Net metering is a billing mechanism offered by some electric utility companies. It allows you to earn credit towards your electric bill by selling back excess electricity that your panels contribute to the grid.** That means that you will only be charged for the difference between the amount of electricity you use, vs. the electricity produced. Net metering is a tremendous advantage for homeowners and business owners who produce excess electricity for the grid. This includes solar power!

GOING SOLAR IN AUSTIN

5. Texas Solar Rights Law

Texas Property Code 202.010 states that HOAs are not allowed to include or enforce provisions within their regulations, covenants, or by-laws that prohibit or restrict homeowners from installing a solar energy device.

While this protects a homeowner’s right to go solar, there are still several caveats that allow HOAs to regulate the installation of solar panels in certain situations. The law also stipulates that the HOA may designate where the panels should be located on the roof. A way around that is for the homeowner to show that the designation hinders the performance of the solar panels.

Basically, your HOA can’t stop you from getting solar panels.  They may have some stipulations you may need to meet, so long as their requests do not impact the efficiency of your solar array.

Aerial view of neighborhood with some homes having solar panels installed

6. Solar Panel Rebates

While the state of Texas does not have a state-wide rebate policy in place, a number of local utility companies have begun offering solar panel rebates in Austin to customers. Be sure to compare offers between local utility companies for solar panel rebates.

Let’s Wrap it Up

There’s never been a better time to switch to solar power in Austin, Texas. Texas enjoys well over 200 sunny days on average in a year, and when you couple that bounty of sunshine with incentives like net metering and the federal solar tax credit, well, it’s hard to debate whether or not going solar in Austin is a smart move.

That being said, at ADT Solar (formerly Sunpro Solar), we are dedicated to providing you with nothing less than the best. The best customer service, the best purchasing experience, the best warranties, and the best installation experience. With each solar installation, you also receive:

  • ADT Solar’s 25 Year Labor Warranty
  • ADT Solar’s 25 Year Production Warranty
  • 25 Year Solar Panel Manufacturer Warranty
  • 25 Year Enphase Microinverter Warranty
  • A FREE energy audit to ensure your house is as efficient as your new solar panels.

So if you’re living in Austin and are interested in going solar, feel free to reach out to us and speak to one of our expert consultants.  We’re here to answer questions you may have about any of the incentives offered in Texas or about making the switch to solar in general.

FREE SOLAR QUOTE

Sources:

1. https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/home-energy-solutions/residential-solar

Disclaimer: *Tax and credits or incentives including those provided by federal, state, or local governments may change or end. This can impact the amount of money you might save. Consult a tax professional to understand any tax liability or eligibility for any tax credits that may result from the purchase of your solar system.
If you have taxable income and own the system, you may qualify for the federal investment tax credit (ITC). It is your responsibility to determine your eligibility and to apply. Consult a qualified tax professional for assistance and details.
**Net metering and similar excess or buyback programs vary by location and utility provider and are subject to change. Rates may go up or down and the money you may save, if any, may vary. For more information about rates, contact your power company.