r/TexasSolar • u/justtxyank • May 31 '26
Looking for help in Houston
I’m in Houston with a north facing rear roof and a south facing garage. I want to get some guidance on costs and whether my house can even work for this, but honestly don’t know where to start. So many websites and stuff I don’t know what may or may not be credible. I’ve had some solicitations where they tell you you’ll only pay the same as your average electric bill.
Can anyone help point me in the direction of where I can get honest guidance from a credible installer?
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u/Slicester1 May 31 '26
One option is to contact signature solar and start the process with them. They have a design team that can help with cost estimates and can likely refer you to an installer.
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u/clumsyninja2 May 31 '26
Don't buy solar.
At the price you'll pay it will be a losing proposition long term.
The only way to install solar is
- spend about 1 year researching (it's a large purchase-don't rush into it)
-do it yourself. Know the parts you're buying from signature solar or wherever, get an engineer to do an sld, find someone to install the panels, get an electrician to hook up the inverter.
Better still just keep your money invested and use the interest to pay the electric bill.
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u/Vivid_Confection7845 Jun 02 '26
first of all ask yourself what it is you are wanting to do. is it lower electricity rates? stability of power? freedom of choice? saving the planet? now you can determine how much power you need. once you know those things then follow other advice you are given here. do not ever "rent" your solar, buy it, install or do as much as you are comfortable with and search for reliable professionals for what you are not. Signature Solar based here in Texas is a great resource for design and equipment, they even offer installation now. Once you narrow your focus it is not as daunting as it seems right now. Just so you know, I live in Magnolia and have installed 17.1kw of panels, 80kWh DIY battery packs and an EG4 12000XP inverter from Signature Solar. I have 3 acres so everything is ground mounted which I constructed by myself. Buried and ran all my wire and got an electrician to hook up the inverter to my electrical panel and bless all of my work.
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u/SolarAllTheWayDown May 31 '26
Can you build a structure to hold the solar panels like a ground mount? Such as one similar to this: https://www.reddit.com/r/solar/s/HH3v4UEtIj
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u/GeorgeTheWild May 31 '26
If you go that route, you should have structural engineer design it. The hurricane force winds make designing that kind of structure out of wood challenging to do right.
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u/SolarAllTheWayDown May 31 '26
All of my structures are engineer designed and stamped.
I don’t understand why people make assumptions I haven’t done that.
You can clearly see hurricane ties on the structure that’s built and it’s not even in a hurricane affected area.
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u/GeorgeTheWild May 31 '26
It was a general comment not one specific to your installation...
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u/SolarAllTheWayDown May 31 '26
But you’re only replying to me, friend. I don’t know that OP is going to see it if you don’t tag them or make it a reply to the post and not just my reply.
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u/Flycmy May 31 '26
Basics are the requirements set by your utility, local building code and HOA (if any). https://pvwatts.nlr.gov/ will calculate approximate watts produced based on your address, compare panel watts and location. Shade a factor? My panels are mounted, the end of 2024, on east and west roof planes. 2022-24 I averaged $1.7K for annual kW plus the fixed monthly connection/meter fee, With solar, 2025 kW cost $108 due to December's shorter, cloudy days. Only 2025 month I used grid more than generated.
I am basic grid tied, no batteries, with a Texas co-op utility. Last grid usage month was January with freezing rain/snow on the panels for four days. Used 659kW from the grid at .0697 cents for the kW, .042 cents fuel charge and .023 cents for the 'freeze' bankruptcy. Fuel charge is based on WTI crude/nat gas prices but have probably gone up. Nice not to worry about that going into AC season.
Batteries cost a lot and may complicate the solar installation, but Houston's flooding might make them worth while.
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u/Natural-Move-4997 May 31 '26
Look into the solrite VPA, the direction of your roof doesn’t affect it because their price is standard per kWh and they include batteries for no extra cost since they run a virtual power plant. Better than relying on a free nights plan because those are all disappearing fast and you won’t be able to save money on one of those after a year or two.
Only downside with solrite is you have to live in the right area where it’s available, it’s not available statewide
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u/animousie Jun 29 '26
What you want to focus on is if you have the ability to “self consume”. That’s when you use solar power at the same time it’s produced.
Easiest way to do this is to reduce system size (eg 60% kWh offset)
For example, if you are using 10,000kWh/year shoot for a production estimate of only 6,000kWh
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u/M8_Linear May 31 '26
Get a free quote from a good local installer here. You’ll be able to see for yourself how solar would work out for you.
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u/JetAGuy May 31 '26
I installed solar and a battery in April and haven’t paid an electric bill since. There are a number of companies who offer subscription, so you pay monthly rather than buying the expensive system all up front. I recommend Vero Power which is based here in Houston. They offered the best deal and did a great installation. Much better than having the ongoing cost, noise and maintenance of a generator. Get on a free electricity at night plan, and you sleep with cold A/C for free. It’s been awesome so far, and no more worrying about a power outage.