Is Going Solar in Brushy Creek Still a Good Investment in 2026?
For homeowners in Brushy Creek, the combination of hot Central Texas summers and rising electricity costs makes finding savings a priority. Rooftop solar is a popular solution, but with the federal tax credit no longer available for new systems, many are asking if the numbers still make sense. The answer depends on system cost, your specific electricity plan, and how you use the power you generate. Let's break down the real-world costs and savings for a typical home in the area.
From rates to ROI—continue in the savings calculator.
Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
Estimated Solar Panel Costs in Brushy Creek (2026)
The upfront cost is the first number most homeowners want to see. For a home in the Brushy Creek area, here are the estimated costs for a system sized to handle the average electricity bill:
- A solar-only 8.9 kW system is estimated to cost $22,250. This price reflects installation in early 2026 without any federal incentives.
- For those looking to maximize their solar energy use and gain backup power, an 8.9 kW system with a 10 kWh battery costs approximately $37,250.
An owned solar system can also be a strong selling point for future buyers, potentially supporting your home's resale appeal in a competitive market.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Key Financial Benefit: The Texas Property Tax Exemption
Even without a federal tax credit, Brushy Creek homeowners have a major financial tool at their disposal: Texas's property tax exemption for solar installations.
When you install a qualifying solar energy system, its value is 100% exempt from your property tax assessment. This means you can add a $22,250 (or $37,250 with a battery) asset to your home in Williamson County, and your property tax bill will not increase as a result. This state-level incentive is crucial to the financial picture for solar in 2026, protecting homeowners from higher tax liabilities while they lower their energy bills.
Net Metering: Address-specific utility or retail electricity plan
Limited Export Credit
Optional
Why Your Retail Electricity Plan is Crucial
In Brushy Creek, you are part of Texas's deregulated electricity market. This means you choose your Retail Electric Provider (REP), and that provider sets the rules for how you're compensated for excess solar power.
There is no statewide 1-to-1 net metering. Most REPs offer a 'buyback' rate that is significantly lower than the retail rate you pay for electricity. This analysis assumes you're paid about $0.04 per kWh for exported power, while you pay nearly $0.16 per kWh to import it. This difference highlights why self-consumption is so important and why a battery can be a smart financial choice, allowing you to store and use your valuable solar energy instead of selling it for a low price.
Projected Savings
Projected Annual Savings and Payback Period
With low export rates, the smartest way to save with solar is to use the power yourself. Here's how the two system types compare in our financial model:
- The solar-only system generates about $1,074 in electricity bill savings per year, with an estimated payback period of 18 years.
- Adding a battery changes the equation. By storing midday solar energy for evening use, you avoid selling it to the grid for a low price and buying it back for a high price. This strategy boosts annual savings to $1,664 and shortens the payback period to 17.1 years.
In this scenario, the battery not only provides outage protection but also offers a slightly better long-term financial return by maximizing the value of the energy you produce.