5 Best Solar Companies in Texas

In This Guide: Momentum Solar | Sunlux | ADT Solar | Green Home Systems | Elevation | Conclusion | Texas Solar Incentives | FAQs

Solar installations in Texas have steadily increased over the last 10 years; in fact, the state is currently ranked as the second-largest solar power market in the nation by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Local utility companies and cities encourage this growth through money-saving solar buyback programs and rebates. Residents in any city, whether Houston, Dallas, or Amarillo, can now affordably transition to solar energy.

The This Old House Reviews Team researched the best solar energy installers in the Lone Star State for Texas residents considering going solar. Our guide breaks down the pros, cons, costs, and other essential details you need to decide.

Texas’s Top Solar Energy Companies

These are our top five picks for solar companies in Texas based on our extensive research. 

• Momentum Solar: Most User-Friendly
• Sunlux: Best for Texas Homeowners
• ADT Solar: Best Protection
• Green Home Systems: Best Solar Roofing Options
• Elevation: Best for Whole-Home Integration

Momentum Solar

Score: 98 out of 100

Momentum Solar ensures customers have an active role in the solar conversion process. The company offers frequent status updates via the Momentum App and allows customers to schedule installation appointments to fit their schedules. 

Pros and Cons

✔ Updates customers throughout the installation process via the Momentum App

✔ Provides a comprehensive 25-year workmanship and equipment warranty

✔ Offers free system maintenance and monitoring
✘ Excludes pricing information from its website 

✘ Doesn’t provide a performance guarantee for panels

Momentum Solar Details

Momentum Solar builds its solar panel systems with premium monocrystalline panels, which are the most efficient solar panels on the market. Its selection of panels includes top brands such as REC, LG, and Q Cells.

The company’s systems come with a comprehensive 25-year workmanship and equipment warranty. This includes coverage for any defects or issues caused by poor installation plus replacement parts, as needed.

Momentum provides updates to its customers throughout the installation process via the Momentum App. Customers can select specific dates for each step of the installation, giving them complete control over the project’s timeline.

Customers can also use the Momentum app to speak with the customer service team and monitor their energy consumption. The complimentary Enphase MyEnlighten app provides access to system performance, health, and inclement weather reports.

Learn More: Momentum Solar Review

Get your Solar quote today.

SunLux

Score: 84 out of 100

Though SunLux has a limited service area in Texas and California, it’s well-versed in the solar laws, incentives, and regulations in the locations it covers. The company also offers a comprehensive in-house installation process to ensure trusted professionals complete each step.

Pros and Cons

✔ Provides an online calculator to estimate solar savings

✔ Covers systems with three types of 25-year warranties

✔ Can sync active system monitoring with smart home systems

✘ Limits its coverage area to certain cities in central Texas

✘ Requires a phone number for the initial consultation

SunLux Details

Although SunLux is a smaller solar installer, it still provides the benefits, warranties, and services of a more prominent nationwide brand. Its solar installations include high-quality solar panels from LG and Q Cells, dependable solar panel batteries from LG and Tesla, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers made by Siemens. The company handles all of its installations in-house, whereas national companies rely on third-party installers.

SunLux backs its solar products with 25-year warranties for workmanship, equipment, and performance. The performance warranty guarantees your solar panels will maintain their promised power output or be repaired or replaced at no charge. These combined warranties provide homeowners with total system coverage.

SunLux’s service area is limited to the following locations in central Texas:

• Austin
• New Braunfels
• Round Rock
• San Antonio
• San Marcos

Learn more: SunLux review

Get your Solar quote today.

ADT Solar

Score: 78 out of 100

ADT Solar (formerly Sunpro Solar) provides one of the most comprehensive protection plans in the industry with 25-year warranties for labor, panels, inverters, and panel performance.

Pros and Cons

✔ Provides a 25-year warranty for panels, microinverters, labor, and performance

✔ Conducts in-person consultations 

✔ Offers 24/7 system monitoring
✘ Limits payment options to full purchase or solar loan 

✘ Doesn’t provide online quotes

ADT Solar Details

ADT Solar aims to create long-lasting energy solutions. The company only uses top-name solar products that carry long-term warranties. Among its products are LG solar panels and Tesla and Enphase solar batteries. ADT Solar also uses Enphase for its microinverters, which are components that convert solar energy into electricity within each solar panel.

ADT Solar provides a 25-year comprehensive warranty that covers panels, microinverters, performance, and labor. Homeowners can use the Enphase MyEnlighten 24/7 app to monitor their system’s health and performance. The company also partners with EnergyPro to offer free home energy audits that identify ways homeowners can be more energy efficient.

Along with solar panel installation, ADT Solar provides in-house roofing services to ensure customers’ homes will support a new solar energy system. 

Learn more: ADT Solar review

Get your quote from ADT Solar today.

Green Home Systems

Score: 78 out of 100

Green Home Systems (GHS) offers advanced solar technology to help Texas homeowners create their ideal solar systems. Along with high-efficiency solar panels, the company installs sleek solar roofing options made to blend with existing or new roof designs. 

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers high-efficiency solar panels and solar roofing

✔ Provides a variety of energy storage options, including backup generators

✔ Includes 25-year warranties for workmanship and equipment
✘ Doesn’t offer solar leases or power purchase agreements for financing 

✘ Omits pricing information from its website

Green Home Systems Details

GHS installs American-made solar panels from LG, LONGi, and Panasonic. You can also select a solar battery from LG, Enphase, or Homegrid Energy to power your home at night or during blackouts. 

GHS stands out for its selection of solar shingles and solar tiles. The Apollo II solar shingles are low-profile, all-black panels that can be installed on existing or new asphalt shingle roofs. The Apollo Tile II solar tiles blend seamlessly into any concrete tile roof and won’t affect the aesthetic of your house. GHS rigorously tests both solar roof solutions to be weather-resistant and durable.

GHS includes a 25-year workmanship warranty and a 25-year product warranty with its solar panels. Both roofing solutions have a 25-year power output guarantee, a 10-year warranty for the inverter, and a 10-year wind warranty that states the roof shingles and tiles will resist blow-off damage in wind conditions up to 110 mph.

Get your quote from Green Home Systems today.

Elevation

Score: 77 out of 100

Elevation’s whole-home energy efficiency policy helps customers become more energy efficient with solar energy solutions, smart home technology, and energy monitoring. 

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers whole-home energy efficiency products and solutions 

✔ Provides in-person and online quotes

✔ Includes 30-year warranties for workmanship and equipment
✘ Has been in business for less than 10 years 

✘ Services customers in Dallas, Austin, and Houston only

Elevation Details

Elevation mainly uses LG and Panasonic solar panels with options for a solar battery and EV charger. Its systems are covered by 30-year workmanship and equipment warranties, which exceed the industry standard by five years. The company offers four payment methods so customers can find the best option for their budget.

Elevation believes in helping its customers make their homes as energy efficient as possible. Beyond going solar, customers can sign up for Elevation’s Energy Efficiency package to make improvements in their homes. The process begins with a home performance test to identify the following inefficiencies:

• Air leakage
• Insulation levels 
• Air quality, home comfort, and energy efficiency
• Areas in need of additional sealing

The company offers several smart home solutions and efficiency upgrades, including smart thermostats, lighting, and efficient pool pumps. Customers can also install the company’s energy monitoring system, Curb Energy Monitoring, to track their smart devices, appliances, and energy usage.

Get your quote from Elevation today.

Solar Incentives in Texas

The SEIA predicts that Texas will rank No.1 in solar installations within the next five years. Cost-saving solar incentives throughout the state have made this unprecedented growth possible. 

While Texas does not have statewide tax credits or rebates, homeowners still have ways to save money on their clean energy systems. Texas lawmakers implemented a tax exemption program to help offset the increased property value from solar panels. The federal solar tax credit also gives homeowners a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of their solar installation.

Texas doesn’t have a net-metering program, which typically gives customers credits for selling their excess energy. As a result, some utility companies have created their own net-metering and solar buyback programs. Buyback programs are similar to net-metering but can include cash payouts instead of electric bill credits. Customers can earn rebates from electric companies, local governments, and municipalities in some areas. 

Texas State Tax Exemption

Installing a solar panel system can increase your property value. This comes with added property taxes that you must pay to the state at tax time. The Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption protects customers from incurring those additional taxes in Texas.

Texas Net-Metering Programs

Homeowners in Texas can participate in solar buyback programs through several utility companies throughout the state. These programs mimic net-metering programs, offering credits for excess energy you sell back.

However, these programs don’t have universal regulations, meaning their terms and payments vary greatly. For example, some buyback plans impose a cap on your earned credits each month, while others allow unlimited earnings. It’s important to review and understand each program’s terms.

Below is a list of some utility companies in Texas that participate in these programs:

• American Electric Power (AEP)
• CoServ Electric Cooperative
• Green Mountain Energy
• TXU Energy

Texas Solar Rebate Programs

These one-time rebates are available through utility companies and certain cities and local governments. The rebate amounts vary among programs but could be as high as $2,500. Here are a few of the rebate programs available for homeowners:

• Austin Energy
• CPS Energy
• City of Denton
• City of San Marcos
• City Sunset Valley

You can find a complete list of the Texas solar buyback and rebate programs on the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE).

Our Conclusion

We recommend Momentum Solar as our top choice for its wide range of solar products, thorough guidance during installation, and timely progress updates. From educating customers about the basics of solar energy to giving them control over crucial installation steps, the company keeps homeowners at the center of the solar process.

We recommend requesting quotes from at least three solar companies before making a decision. Most providers offer free quotes online and should provide up-front details about costs, financing, and warranty coverage. You can also check customer reviews to gauge other homeowners’ experiences.

FAQs About Solar Companies in Texas

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for solar service providers is on a 100-point scale based on five factors:

• Payment options (40 points): Options include purchase, loan, lease, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Companies receive points for each of the four options it provides.
• Solar services (30 points): Does the company provide in-house installation of solar panels and battery backups? Can the company also monitor energy production and perform energy-efficiency audits to ensure system performance? The more options available, the higher the score. 
• Warranty options (10 points): The success of a residential solar system depends on the workmanship, performance guarantees, and length of product coverage. We score companies based on the number of warranty options available. The more warranties a company offers, the higher the score it receives. 
• State Availability (10 points): We award the most points to companies with the broadest service area and state availability.
• Reputation (10 points): We factor in how the Business Better Bureau (BBB) scores each company. We deduct points for any alerts or pending lawsuits.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.