For homeowners in Cleburne, figuring out the cost of solar in 2026 means looking beyond now-expired federal tax credits and focusing on local Texas benefits. With electricity rates around $0.16/kWh, the primary value of solar comes from reducing what you pull from the grid, especially since the value of exported power is often low. The key questions are system cost, real-world savings, and long-term financial performance.
Run your scenario: the calculator uses this city’s utility and tariff data.
Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
Estimated Solar Panel System Cost in Cleburne
For a typical home in the Cleburne area, an 8.7 kW solar panel system is a common size to significantly offset a monthly electric bill. As of early 2026, the estimated gross cost for a system of this size is around $21,750.
- Solar-Only System (8.7 kW): $21,750
- Solar + Battery System (8.7 kW panels with a 10 kWh battery): $36,750
Adding a battery increases the upfront cost but allows you to store solar energy generated during the day for use at night. This becomes financially important when your utility plan offers very little credit for power you send back to the grid.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Texas Solar Incentives: What's Available in 2026?
While the 30% federal solar tax credit is no longer available for new systems placed in service in 2026, Texas homeowners still have a major financial benefit:
- 100% Property Tax Exemption: This is the most significant Texas-specific solar incentive. Installing a solar panel system will not increase your property taxes. You can claim this exemption using Form 50-123 from the Texas Comptroller. This means you get the home value benefit of solar without the associated tax burden.
Without a state income tax, Texas doesn't offer state-level tax credits. The financial return on solar here is driven by the property tax exemption and direct energy savings.
Net Metering: Address-specific utility or retail electricity plan
Limited Export Credit
Optional
How Solar Buyback Works in the Texas ERCOT Market
Cleburne is in a deregulated energy market, which means there is no statewide net metering law. Instead, your ability to get credit for exported solar power depends entirely on the Retail Electricity Provider (REP) you choose. Many REPs offer solar buyback plans, but the rates are often much lower than the retail rate you pay for electricity.
This analysis uses a conservative export rate of about 4 cents per kWh, while you pay nearly 16 cents per kWh to buy power. This large difference highlights why using your own solar power is so valuable. Every kilowatt-hour your panels produce and your home uses is one you don't have to buy at the high retail rate. A battery helps you shift that daytime solar production to the evening, further reducing your reliance on the grid and low-value export credits.
Projected Savings
Projected Monthly and Annual Savings
Installing an 8.7 kW solar system can lead to significant savings by directly offsetting your electricity usage. Based on a local rate of $0.1587 per kWh, the estimated first-year savings are $1,074 for a solar-only system. By adding a battery to maximize self-consumption, those savings can increase to $1,664 annually.
These savings are not just about today's bill. If grid electricity becomes more expensive over time, the power your panels generate becomes more valuable each year, providing a hedge against rising utility costs. An owned solar system can also be a compelling feature for potential buyers if you decide to sell your home in the future.