For homeowners in Forney, the biggest question about solar isn't just about sunshine—it's about the value of exported power. In Texas's deregulated electricity market, sending surplus solar energy to the grid often pays very little. This changes the math for solar economics in 2026, making it crucial to use the power you generate directly in your home to maximize savings.
The key to a strong return on investment is designing a system that offsets your home's usage first, rather than relying on selling power back to your retail electricity provider. Understanding this dynamic is the first step to seeing if solar makes sense for your budget.
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Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Forney?
For a typical home in the Forney area, a 7.8 kW solar panel system costs approximately $19,500 before any incentives in 2026. This price is a modeled estimate and can vary based on your specific roof, equipment choices, and the installer.
- Solar Only System (7.8 kW): Around $19,500
- Solar + Battery System (10 kWh): Adding a home battery for energy storage and backup power would increase the total cost to roughly $34,500.
These figures reflect the full system price, as the 30% federal tax credit for homeowners is not available for systems placed in service in 2026.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Texas Solar Incentives for Forney Homeowners
While the federal residential solar tax credit is no longer a factor for 2026 installations, Texas offers a powerful state-level incentive that significantly impacts long-term value.
The most important benefit is the 100% Property Tax Exemption. When you install a solar panel system, the value it adds to your home cannot be counted in your property tax assessment. You'll need to file Form 50-123 with your county appraisal district to claim it, but this can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually over the life of the system.
An owned solar system can also be an attractive feature for potential buyers, potentially supporting your home's resale appeal in the competitive North Texas real estate market.
Net Metering: TXU Energy Retail Co LP
Limited Export Credit
Optional
Understanding Export Rates with TXU Energy Retail Co LP
Texas does not have a statewide net metering mandate. Instead, your ability to get paid for surplus solar energy depends entirely on the buyback plan offered by your Retail Electricity Provider (REP), like TXU Energy Retail Co LP. Most plans credit you at an 'avoided-cost' or wholesale rate, which is much lower than the retail rate you pay for electricity.
Our model uses a conservative export rate of $0.0397 per kWh, while you pay $0.1587 per kWh to buy that same electricity. This gap is why self-consumption—using the solar power yourself—delivers the most value. A battery helps achieve this by storing excess daytime energy instead of exporting it for a low credit.
Projected Savings
Projected Bill Savings in 2026
With an electricity rate of $0.1587/kWh from TXU Energy Retail Co LP, a 7.8 kW solar system is modeled to save a Forney homeowner around $966 in the first year. This translates to a payback period of about 17.6 years.
Adding a 10 kWh battery increases the first-year savings to $1,474. While the upfront cost is higher, the battery allows you to store your cheap solar power for use during evenings and cloudy weather. This avoids selling it to the grid for a low price (around $0.0397/kWh) and then buying expensive power back later. For some homes, a battery also provides valuable peace of mind with backup power during grid outages. If utility rates continue to rise, the value of offsetting expensive grid power will grow each year, potentially improving the long-term return.