San Antonio
Ground Mount Solar in San Antonio & the Hill Country
Serving Bexar, Comal, Kendall, and surrounding counties with ground-mounted solar designed for South Central Texas conditions.
San Antonio Solar at a Glance
Sunny days/year
Peak sun daily
CPS retail rate
Federal tax credit
Our San Antonio Area Service Area
We focus on north and northwest San Antonio and the surrounding Hill Country—areas where larger lots make ground mount practical. These communities often have 1+ acre properties ideal for ground-mounted solar.
Bexar County
San Antonio (north/northwest), Helotes, Fair Oaks Ranch, Shavano Park
Kendall County
Boerne, Comfort, Welfare, Bergheim
Comal County
New Braunfels, Bulverde, Spring Branch, Canyon Lake
Guadalupe County
Seguin, Schertz, Cibolo, Marion
Medina County
Castroville, Hondo, Bandera (partial)
Wilson County
Floresville, La Vernia, Stockdale
Notable for large lots: Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, Bulverde, and the 281 corridor north of San Antonio have seen explosive growth with many 1-10+ acre properties.
CPS Energy's Solar Program
How Net Billing Works
CPS Energy—San Antonio's municipal utility—uses a net billing approach. You consume your solar power first, reducing purchases at retail rates. Excess power sent to the grid is credited at a lower wholesale rate.
This means system sizing matters. A system that covers most of your usage (rather than overproducing) gives you the best economics.
What This Means for You
- • Power you use directly offsets at full retail (~12¢/kWh)
- • Excess production credited at wholesale (3-4¢/kWh)
- • Credits carry forward month to month
- • No CPS Energy rebates currently available
Sizing Strategy
We recommend sizing to cover 80-100% of your annual usage, not more. This maximizes the value of every kilowatt-hour.
A properly-sized 8kW system might save $1,200-1,500/year versus oversizing to 12kW and getting lower-value excess credits.
Outside CPS Energy territory? Comal County (New Braunfels) is served by NBPUB (New Braunfels Utilities). Kendall County properties may be on Bandera Electric Co-op or GVEC. We'll explain your specific utility's solar program.
San Antonio Area Soil Conditions
The San Antonio metro spans dramatically different terrain—from limestone Hill Country to Blackland Prairie clay. Your location determines the best foundation approach.
Northwest / Hill Country
Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, Helotes, and northwest Bexar County sit on the Edwards Plateau. Shallow limestone bedrock and caliche.
Solution: Helical piles into rock
Central Bexar County
The city of San Antonio proper has mixed soils—some clay, some limestone, depending on exact location along the Balcones Escarpment.
Solution: Site-specific assessment
East / Guadalupe County
Seguin, Schertz, and areas east of San Antonio have Blackland Prairie clay—expansive soil similar to Houston and Dallas areas.
Solution: Deep piers below active zone
Site Assessment Included
Every project includes soil evaluation. In rocky areas like Boerne, helical piles screw directly into limestone. In clay areas east of I-35, we use foundations designed for soil movement. Either way, you get a stable system built for local conditions.
Permits & Timelines by County
San Antonio area permitting is generally straightforward. The City of San Antonio has a streamlined solar permit process, and surrounding counties are solar-friendly. Here's what to expect:
| County | Building | Electrical |
|---|---|---|
| Bexar County | 2-3 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Comal County | 2-3 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Kendall County | 1-2 weeks | 1 week |
| Guadalupe County | 1-2 weeks | 1 week |
CPS Energy Interconnection
In CPS territory, interconnection typically takes 2-4 weeks after permits. They'll install a bidirectional meter and grant permission to operate. We handle all the paperwork.
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 San Antonio
Military City USA
San Antonio is home to Joint Base San Antonio (Randolph, Lackland, Fort Sam Houston). Military families often own homes longer than average and value energy independence. Solar's 25+ year lifespan rewards that stability, and the system adds resale value if you do PCS.
Hill Country Tree Cover
The San Antonio area's beautiful live oaks and cedar shade many roofs—especially in Boerne, Bulverde, and the 281 corridor. Ground mount lets you find the sunny spots on your property while keeping the trees that make Hill Country living special.
Growing Suburbs with Land
Fair Oaks Ranch, Bulverde, Spring Branch, and communities along 281 and 46 are growing rapidly. Many new homes sit on 1-5+ acre lots. Ground mount doesn't depend on roof age or orientation—install now and never worry about re-roofing.
Well Pumps & Rural Properties
Many Hill Country properties rely on well water. Solar can power your well pump, reducing or eliminating that electricity cost. For larger properties with shops, barns, or multiple structures, ground mount can be centrally located to serve everything.
San Antonio Solar FAQ
How does CPS Energy solar buyback work?
CPS Energy uses a "net billing" program. Your excess solar production is credited at a wholesale avoided-cost rate (typically 3-4¢/kWh), while you pay retail rates (around 12¢/kWh) for power you consume. This makes system sizing important—you want to offset your usage rather than overproduce.
Is CPS Energy's solar program as good as Austin Energy's?
CPS Energy's buyback rate for excess power is lower than Austin Energy's Value of Solar. However, you still offset consumption at full retail rates. For a properly-sized system that covers most of your usage, the economics work well. The 30% federal tax credit helps significantly.
What about rocky soil in the Hill Country areas?
Northwest Bexar County and areas like Boerne, Bulverde, and Fair Oaks Ranch sit on limestone bedrock. We use helical piles that screw directly into rock—no blasting needed. This is actually very stable foundation once installed. Eastern areas toward Seguin have more clay soil.
Do military families benefit from solar?
Yes. San Antonio's military community (JBSA, Randolph, Lackland, Fort Sam) often owns homes longer than average. Solar's 25+ year lifespan rewards long-term ownership. Plus, the federal tax credit applies regardless of military status, and solar adds resale value if you do PCS.
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 San Antonio?
Get a free site assessment for your San Antonio or Hill Country property. We'll evaluate your soil, sun exposure, and explain CPS Energy's solar program.
Check Your Property