Solar Panel Calculator for Plano, TX
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in Plano, TX, using local NREL sunshine data, Texas prices and electricity rates.
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Plano gets about 5.57 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,549 kWh a year. That ranks #29 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in Jul and is lowest in Jan.
Sunshine in Plano by month
What an 8 kW system makes in Plano
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.05 | 824 kWh | $132 |
| Feb | 4.51 | 808 kWh | $130 |
| Mar | 5.18 | 1,000 kWh | $160 |
| Apr | 5.95 | 1,096 kWh | $176 |
| May | 6.25 | 1,168 kWh | $187 |
| Jun | 6.91 | 1,208 kWh | $194 |
| Jul | 7.15 | 1,264 kWh | $203 |
| Aug | 6.87 | 1,224 kWh | $196 |
| Sep | 6.26 | 1,112 kWh | $178 |
| Oct | 5.14 | 984 kWh | $158 |
| Nov | 4.41 | 856 kWh | $137 |
| Dec | 4.11 | 840 kWh | $135 |
| Year | 5.57 | 12,392 kWh | $1,986 |
Savings at 16.03¢ per kWh (Texas average), with every kWh credited at that price.
Cost and payback by system size
At $2.26 per watt, the Texas average, before incentives.
| System | Cost | Year 1 savings | Payback | 25-yr gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $9,040 | $993 | 9.3 yrs | $14,356 |
| 6 kW | $13,560 | $1,490 | 9.3 yrs | $21,534 |
| 8 kW | $18,080 | $1,986 | 9.3 yrs | $28,712 |
| 10 kW | $22,600 | $2,483 | 9.3 yrs | $35,891 |
| 12 kW | $27,120 | $2,980 | 9.3 yrs | $43,069 |
How many panels you need in Plano
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 3.87 kW | 10 |
| 750 kWh | 5.81 kW | 15 |
| 1,000 kWh | 7.75 kW | 20 |
| 1,500 kWh | 11.62 kW | 30 |
| 2,000 kWh | 15.49 kW | 39 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,549 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in Plano?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about $18,080 before incentives, saves about $1,986 in its first year and pays back in about 9.3 years.
How many peak sun hours does Plano get?
About 5.57 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 4.0 in Jan to 7.2 in Jul, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in Plano?
About 1,549 kWh a year, or 129 kWh a month on average.
Is there a federal solar tax credit?
Not for homeowners who buy their system. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Sources
- NREL PVWatts V8 API (south-facing, 20° tilt, 14% losses, typical-year weather): https://developer.nlr.gov/docs/solar/pvwatts/v8/
- EnergySage, Solar panel cost by state (updated November 6, 2026): https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-panel-cost/
- U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (residential price, Jan–Aug 2026): https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_b