PlugInSolarMap.com
Take ActionNotify me
All states
☀️

New to plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar lets anyone generate free electricity — no roof, no permit, no contractor. A single panel on your balcony can meaningfully cut your bill, especially as rates keep rising.

What is plug-in solar? →How it saves you money →

Texas

ConsideringUpdated May 30, 2026

Texas has excellent sun hours (5.7h/day) especially in West Texas and the Hill Country. The deregulated electricity market means rates vary widely — many Texans pay $0.12–$0.20/kWh. No statewide plug-in solar bill introduced, but some advocacy groups are pushing for a preemptive HOA access law. Large market opportunity.

Get notified when Texas goes legal

Laws are spreading state by state. One email when Texas passes — no spam.

Recently updated — this page was last reviewed on May 30, 2026. Law data is current as of that date.

What Your Savings Would Look Like

Based on Texas's $0.130/kWh avg. rate and 5.7 sun hours/day. Plan ahead — laws can change quickly.

Default: 5.7h/day (Texas avg)
$1,200
$900$2,200
800W
400W2400W
60%
30%100%
$0.130/kWh
$0.080/kWh$0.400/kWh
Rate Escalation Scenario
Year 1 Generation
849 kWh
71 kWh/mo
Year 1 Savings
$110
$9/mo
Payback Period
10 yrs
by year 10
25-Year Savings
$4,901
net $3,701
ℹPanels typically last 25–30 years with a 25-year output warranty. Microinverters carry a 10–25 year warranty depending on brand. Battery modules degrade faster — expect 10–15 years before capacity drops below 80%. The 25-year savings figure above assumes the panel and inverter run for the full window; budget ~$200–$400 for an inverter swap around year 15 if needed.
Cumulative Savings vs. Break-even ($)
Selected scenario2% escalation8% escalationBreak-even
Calculator AssumptionsSavings estimates are projections based on average sun hours, self-consumption assumptions, and rate escalation scenarios. Actual results vary by roof orientation, shading, usage patterns, and local rate schedules. The federal ITC for residential solar expired December 31, 2025.

Electricity Cost Trend

↑ 5.0%/yr avg — Moderate
Rates up 28% over the past 5 years
From $0.102/kWh in 2021 → $0.130/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.
5.0%
avg. annual increase
Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)
$0.102
2021
$0.107
2022
$0.112
2023
$0.118
2024
$0.124
2025
$0.130
2026
20-year projected rate
$0.345/kWh
at 5.0%/yr escalation
Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*
$1,699
vs. today's rates (1,000 kWh/mo household)
Best time to go solar
Now
Each year of delay = a year of higher grid bills

What a Texas Law Could Look Like

⚡

Based on neighboring states

Utah (1,200W), Maine (600W), and Virginia (1,000W pending) provide the template. A Texas law would likely allow 600–1,200W systems to plug into standard household outlets — no permit required.

💸

High rates = strong economics

At Texas's avg. $0.130/kWh, a 600W system generating ~880 kWh/year saves roughly $114/year. Payback in as few as 7 years at current rates.

🏠

Renters and condo owners

Plug-in solar requires no permanent installation — just an outlet. This makes it uniquely accessible to renters and condo owners who can't get rooftop solar.

Stay in the Loop

We monitor all 50 state legislatures. The moment Texas files a plug-in solar bill, you'll be the first to know.

Legal DisclaimerLaws change. Information on this site reflects our best understanding of current statutes as of the date shown. It is not legal advice. Verify requirements with your state utility commission, local building department, and a qualified attorney before installation.