Getting Solar in Highland Village? The Value is in What You Use, Not What You Sell.
For homeowners in Highland Village, going solar in 2026 is shaped by one key factor: the electricity you generate and use at home is far more valuable than any excess power you send back to the grid. With an average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh, every kilowatt-hour your panels produce for your own appliances, and especially your air conditioning during hot Texas summers, is a direct saving. However, since Texas lacks a statewide net metering mandate, the credit for exported power can be as low as $0.04/kWh, depending on your retail electricity plan. This makes maximizing self-consumption the smartest path to solar savings.
Run your scenario: the calculator uses this city’s utility and tariff data.
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2026 Solar Panel Costs in Highland Village
Without a federal tax credit, understanding the upfront investment is essential. A typical 7.8 kW solar panel system, sized to cover the average local electricity bill, costs around $19,500 in the Highland Village area. For homeowners seeking backup power during grid outages or wanting to maximize their solar energy use, adding a 10 kWh battery increases the total estimated cost to $34,500. These figures represent the full cost before any local incentives are applied.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Key Texas Solar Incentive: Property Tax Exemption
While the federal tax credit for solar installations is no longer available for systems placed in service in 2026, Texas offers a powerful financial benefit. Thanks to a state law, installing a solar panel system does not increase the taxable value of your home. You can add a $19,500 asset to your property, but your property tax bill won't go up because of it. This 100% property tax exemption, claimed using Form 50-123, is the most significant solar incentive available to Texas homeowners and provides tangible value every year.
Net Metering: Multiple possible utilities by address
Limited Export Credit
Optional
Understanding Export Rates in the Texas Electricity Market
Highland Village is in a deregulated electricity market, which means you choose your Retail Electricity Provider (REP). There is no state law requiring REPs to pay you the full retail rate for your excess solar power. Instead, providers offer various 'solar buyback' plans. Most of these plans credit you at a lower, wholesale-based rate for exported energy. Our model uses a conservative estimate of $0.0397 per kWh for exported power, highlighting why using your solar energy onsite is the most effective way to save money.
Projected Savings
Modeled Bill Savings and Long-Term Value
A 7.8 kW solar-only system is estimated to save a Highland Village homeowner around $966 annually by directly offsetting electricity purchases from the grid. Because this calculation assumes a low export credit, the savings are heavily weighted toward the power you use as it's generated. Adding a battery to store excess solar energy for evening use can increase those annual savings to approximately $1,474.
Beyond the immediate bill reduction, an owned solar system provides a hedge against rising utility costs. If grid electricity becomes more expensive in the coming years, the value of the power your system produces increases right along with it, offering long-term financial stability. An owned system can also be an attractive feature for potential homebuyers, possibly enhancing your property's resale appeal.