Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in South Plains, Texas. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
Sunrun is a national leader in residential solar with a strong local presence. They are known for their comprehensive service, from custom design to installation and ongoing monitoring. A major strength is their variety of flexible financing options, including purchase, loan, and their popular power purchase agreement (PPA), which allows homeowners to pay for the power the system produces with little to no upfront cost.
BriteSolar is a highly-rated local company dedicated to the West Texas and South Plains region. They emphasize a personalized, customer-centric approach, handling the entire process from energy assessment and system design to installation and maintenance. Their deep local knowledge is a significant advantage for navigating specific weather conditions and maximizing solar production in the region.
Native Solar is a boutique, locally-owned and operated solar installer known for high-quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. They focus on custom, high-efficiency systems for both grid-tied and off-grid solutions. Their smaller scale allows for a highly consultative and hands-on approach, making them a top choice for homeowners seeking premium, tailored solar and battery storage systems.
** The home solar market in the South Plains is robust and growing, driven by the region's exceptional solar irradiance (over 260 sunny days per year) and relatively high electricity rates compared to other parts of Texas. The market quality is generally high, featuring a mix of well-established national providers like Sunrun and highly specialized local installers like BriteSolar and Native Solar. This creates a healthy competitive environment that benefits consumers. Typical pricing for a residential system is competitive with the national average, ranging from **$2.50 to $3.50 per watt** before incentives. For an average 8kW system, this translates to a gross cost of **$20,000 - $28,000**. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which currently allows for a 30% tax credit, significantly reduces the net cost. Local installers are generally very knowledgeable about this incentive and can provide clear guidance. Financing options are plentiful, with most companies offering loans, leases, and PPAs, making solar accessible without a large upfront investment.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with South Plains regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in South Plains, Texas.
For a typical 6-8 kW system in the South Plains, costs before incentives range from $18,000 to $28,000. Crucially, Texas homeowners benefit from the 30% federal tax credit and the fact that Texas has no state property tax on the added home value from solar. Additionally, you can sell excess power back to your utility through net metering, with providers like Lubbock Power & Light (LP&L) and South Plains Electric Cooperative offering specific buyback programs.
The abundant sunshine in Lubbock and surrounding areas is excellent for energy production, often exceeding national averages. However, seasonal dust and hail risk require consideration. Panels are tested for hail resistance, and a tilt of 20-30 degrees helps with self-cleaning during rains. We recommend an annual inspection and occasional cleaning to remove persistent dust buildup that can reduce efficiency, especially after windy seasons.
The entire process usually takes 2 to 4 months. After design and permitting, which includes local city permits and interconnection approval from your specific utility (e.g., LP&L, Xcel Energy), installation takes 1-3 days. The longest wait is often for the utility to install the net meter and give final permission to operate (PTO). Timing can be slower during peak construction seasons in spring and fall.
Prioritize installers with strong local experience, as they understand specific utility rules, wind load requirements for the flat terrain, and permit processes for cities like Lubbock, Levelland, or Plainview. Ensure they are Texas-licensed (TECL) and insured. Ask for references from nearby projects and verify they handle the entire interconnection process with your local electric cooperative or municipal utility.
Standard grid-tied solar systems automatically shut off during a utility outage for safety. To have backup power, you must install a dedicated solar battery storage system (like a Tesla Powerwall). This is a highly recommended addition in our region, as it can keep critical loads running. Your solar panels will then recharge the battery during the day, providing resilience against the extended outages that can follow severe weather events.