For Your Home

If You Want to Own Your Solar Panels

Available Incentives:

• Austin Energy Residential Solar Rebate: You can earn a $2,500 rebate by completing our solar education course and installing a qualifying solar system on your home.* Learn more below.
• Value of Solar Bill Credits: Austin Energy credits residential solar production at the current Value of Solar Rate of 9.91 cents per kWh. Learn more about how customers are billed.
• Federal Investment Tax Credit: You may qualify for a federal tax credit based on the cost of your solar system, including labor costs. Learn more about solar tax credits and other energy efficiency improvements from ENERGY STAR®.
• Property Tax Exemption: Your solar system may qualify for a property tax exemption. Learn more from the State Comptroller Office.

*All solar systems will automatically receive Value of Solar bill credits. Leased systems are not eligible for the Austin Energy Residential Solar Rebate. Austin Energy does not offer additional rebates for battery systems.

See if you qualify

Prerequisites

• You must have an Austin Energy residential electric utility account.
• Your solar system must be new and cannot yet be installed before you apply for a rebate.
• The solar system must be connected to an Austin Energy residential electric account where the system will be installed.

Requirements

• You must complete the Austin Energy Solar Education Course prior to applying for a rebate.
• You must use an Austin Energy Participating Contractor to install your solar system - see participating solar contractors.
• The solar system must be 3kW (DC) or larger, and mostly free of shading.
• You must apply for and receive an Austin Energy Solar Rebate Confirmation Letter prior to system installation in order to be eligible for Austin Energy rebates and incentives.

Exclusions

• Third-party solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are not allowed in the Austin Energy service territory.
• Leased solar systems are not eligible to participate in this program.

See If Your Home Is a Good Candidate for Solar Panels

1. Is your roof in good shape? Fix any needed repairs before installation to avoid costly removal and reattachment later.
2. Is your roof facing the right direction? Put your address in an online mapping service to check your house orientation. The best-performing solar panels face south.
3. Do you have enough clear and shade-free roof space? You need at least 150 square feet of clear, sunny roof space to install a 3kW system.
4. Can you keep trees from blocking your solar panels? Plan your installation with potential tree growth in mind or prepare for regular trimming.

The more of these that you have checked off the better your solar panels will work.

The Austin Energy Solar Education Course is designed to equip you with the knowledge necessary for a successful solar installation experience. This free, online course covers essential topics, including:

• Shopping for Solar: Guidance on how to shop for solar and what to expect during the process.
• System Design and Sizing: Insights into designing and sizing your solar system appropriately.
• Shade Impact: Understanding the impact of shade on solar panels.
• Battery Storage Integration: How battery storage works with solar panels.
• Contractor Engagement: Important questions to ask solar contractors.
• Financing Considerations: Considerations for financing your solar project.
• Impact on Utility Bills: Understanding how your solar system will affect your utility bill through Value of Solar bill credits.

Completing this course and quiz also qualifies you for a $2,500 rebate from Austin Energy.
The rebate is only available when you apply, are approved, and then install a new solar system on your home.

Take the Austin Energy Solar Education Course.

For Spanish-speaking customers, the course is available in Spanish. Utilice este enlace para tomar el curso en español.

You can request a hard copy of the course materials by filling out the contact form at the bottom of the page.

Only participating solar contractors are eligible to offer Austin Energy’s rebate and incentives to customers who install solar power at their home or business.

All participating contractors must abide by the Austin Energy Code of Conduct and Ethical Requirements (pdf) and the Austin Energy Solar Program Contractor Handbook (pdf) to remain on our participating contractors list.

You may still choose to use a solar company that is not listed, but they cannot offer you a solar rebate or incentive from Austin Energy. Austin Energy recommends that all customers check references and get at least three quotes.

• The Austin Energy Solar Education Course gives you the knowledge to speak confidently with solar installation contractors, know the right questions to ask, and be able to compare solar proposals. Utilice este enlace para tomar el curso en español.
• While the course can be completed in about 30 minutes, we encourage you to go through it at your own pace.
• You will need to complete a short quiz, and you will receive a reference number.
• To take the quiz, be prepared to provide your:
  • contact information
  • electric utility account number (found on your electric bill)
  • address
• Give the quiz reference number to your chosen participating solar contractor for the rebate application.
• Your Participating Solar Contractor will start and complete the application on your behalf.
• Do not move forward with the solar installation until you have received the rebate application review and approval.
• Solar Installation Inspections: All solar energy systems that are installed in Austin must pass a final inspection before they can be turned on. Participating solar installation contractors will request all necessary inspections from Austin Energy.

• Residential Solar Rebate Guidelines (pdf)
• Reembolso Solar Fotovoltaico (PV) Residencial Guías del Programa y Formulario de Acuerdo del Cliente (pdf)
• Helpful Questions to Ask Participating Solar Contractors (pdf)
• Preguntas útiles que pueden hacerles los clientes de energía solar a los contratistas (pdf)
• Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Installation Steps (pdf)
• Residential Solar Rate Schedule (pdf)