Austin
Ground Mount Solar in Austin & Central Texas
Serving Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop counties with ground-mounted solar designed for Central Texas conditions.
Austin Solar at a Glance
Sunny days/year
Peak sun daily
Value of Solar rate
Federal tax credit
Our Austin Area Service Area
We serve the Austin metro and surrounding Hill Country communities where larger lots make ground mount practical. These areas have seen explosive growth, and many properties have the acreage that's ideal for ground mount solar.
Travis County
Austin, Pflugerville, Manor, Bee Cave, Lakeway
Williamson County
Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Liberty Hill
Hays County
Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Kyle, Buda, San Marcos
Bastrop County
Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville, Cedar Creek
Burnet County
Marble Falls, Burnet, Spicewood, Horseshoe Bay
Notable for large lots: Liberty Hill, Dripping Springs, Spicewood, and the 290 corridor west of Austin are seeing rapid growth with many 1-10+ acre properties.
Austin Energy's Value of Solar Program
How Value of Solar Works
Unlike traditional net metering, Austin Energy credits you for every kWh your system produces—not just excess sent to the grid. They install a second meter to measure your solar production.
Current rate: 9.91¢ per kWh. This credit is applied against your electric bill charges, with unused credits rolling over month to month.
What This Means for You
- • Get credited for 100% of production, not just excess
- • Rate is stable and predictable (reviewed annually)
- • Credits roll over—use summer production in winter
- • No complex time-of-use calculations
Example Calculation
8kW system producing 12,000 kWh/year:
- • Production credit: 12,000 × $0.0991 = $1,189/year
- • Still pay base charges and any excess consumption
- • Most homeowners see 50-80% bill reduction
Outside Austin Energy territory? Williamson County cities like Georgetown have their own municipal utilities. Pedernales Electric Co-op serves much of the Hill Country. We'll explain your specific utility's solar program.
Austin Area Soil Conditions
Travis County bridges dramatically different soil types. Your location determines which foundation approach makes sense.
West Austin / Hill Country
Shallow limestone and caliche on the Edwards Plateau. Rocky but stable.
Solution: Helical piles into rock
Central Travis County
Mix of limestone, chalk, and clay along the Colorado River drainage.
Solution: Site-specific assessment
East Austin / Bastrop
Blackland Prairie clay—expansive soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry.
Solution: Deep piers below active zone
Site Assessment Included
Every project includes a soil evaluation. In rocky areas like Dripping Springs and Lakeway, helical piles screw directly into limestone. In clay areas east of I-35, we use foundations designed to handle soil movement. Either way, you get a stable system built for local conditions.
Permits & Timelines by County
Austin-area permitting is generally straightforward. Travis County has a dedicated solar team and online portal. Here's what to expect:
| County | Building | Electrical |
|---|---|---|
| Travis County | 2-3 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Williamson County | 2-3 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Hays County | 2-4 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Bastrop County | 1-3 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
Austin Energy Interconnection
In Austin Energy territory, interconnection typically takes 2-4 weeks after permits. They'll install the production meter and grant permission to operate.
Total Timeline
From contract to power-on: typically 6-10 weeks. Physical installation is 2-3 days—most time is permits and utility coordination.
Why Ground Mount Makes Sense in Austin
Tech-Forward Community
Austin has long led in renewable energy adoption. The city's environmental values and tech-savvy homeowners make solar a natural fit. Ground mount lets you maximize production with optimal positioning.
Hill Country Tree Cover
The Austin area's beautiful live oaks shade many roofs. Ground mount lets you find the sunny spots on your property—often a cleared area away from the house—while keeping your trees.
Growing Suburbs with Land
Liberty Hill, Dripping Springs, Georgetown, and surrounding communities are growing fast. Many new homes sit on 1-5+ acre lots. Ground mount doesn't depend on roof age or orientation—you can install now and never worry about re-roofing.
Multiple Electric Providers
The Austin metro has Austin Energy, Pedernales Electric Co-op, Bluebonnet Electric, Georgetown Utility Systems, and others. We know each provider's solar programs and interconnection requirements.
Austin Solar FAQ
How does Austin Energy's Value of Solar rate work?
Austin Energy credits your solar production at 9.91¢/kWh (as of 2025)—every kilowatt-hour your system produces, not just excess. They install a second meter to track production. Credits roll over month to month and offset your consumption charges.
Is the Value of Solar rate better than net metering?
It depends on your rate tier. Austin Energy's VoS (9.91¢) is higher than the lowest tier but lower than upper tiers. For most homeowners, it's competitive with traditional net metering and provides predictable credit value.
What about limestone soil in the Austin area?
Western Travis County and the Hill Country have shallow limestone and caliche. We use helical piles that screw into rock—no blasting or heavy excavation needed. Eastern Austin has more clay, which requires different foundation engineering.
Does Austin Energy offer solar rebates?
Austin Energy's residential solar rebate program has ended, but you still get the 30% federal tax credit and the Value of Solar rate for production credits. Some years they offer limited rebates—we track availability.
Not sure if you have enough land?
Answer a few quick questions to find out if ground mount could work for your property.
Check Your PropertyReady to Go Solar in Austin?
Get a free site assessment for your Austin area property. We'll evaluate your soil, sun exposure, and explain your utility's solar program.
Check Your Property