Backyard Solar Panels in Texas
You've got backyard space you're not using. Here's how to turn it into a solar installation that pays for itself.
Why Put Solar in Your Backyard
Texas backyards are often bigger than they need to be. You mow that back corner, maybe store some junk there, but it's not doing much for you. Meanwhile, you're paying an electric bill every month.
Ground mount solar turns that unused space into something productive. A 10kW system takes about 4,000 square feet—roughly a 63x63 foot area. If you have an acre, that's less than 10% of your land. Most Texas properties with decent-sized lots can accommodate solar without giving up space they actually use.
The math is simple: that empty corner costs you nothing sitting there, but it could be generating power worth $1,500-$2,000 per year. Over 25 years, that adds up.
Advantages of Backyard Solar Over Rooftop
You control the angle
Rooftop solar is stuck with whatever angle your roof happens to be. Backyard solar faces true south at the optimal tilt for Texas latitudes (about 30 degrees). This alone can mean 10-15% more production.
No roof penetrations
Rooftop solar requires drilling into your roof and creating sealed penetrations. Most installs are done well, but roof leaks happen. Backyard solar keeps your roof completely intact.
Easier maintenance
Walk up to your backyard array anytime. Check connections, clean panels with a hose, inspect for issues. No ladder required. No climbing on a hot roof in August.
Survives roof replacement
When your roof eventually needs replacement (and it will), your backyard solar system isn't affected. No removal, no reinstallation, no disruption.
Better cooling
Panels get hot, and hot panels produce less power. Backyard panels have air circulating on all sides, staying 10-20 degrees cooler than rooftop panels pressed against hot shingles. In Texas summers, this matters.
Picking the Right Spot in Your Yard
Not all backyard space is equal for solar. Here's what to look for:
- Southern exposure: The spot should have clear sightlines to the south. Trees, buildings, or hills to the south will cast shadows on your panels.
- Clear from 9 AM to 3 PM: This is the peak production window. Morning or late afternoon shade is less critical but still reduces output.
- Relatively flat: Gentle slopes are fine. South-facing slopes are actually ideal. Steep slopes or very uneven terrain adds installation complexity.
- Close to your electrical panel: Every foot of trenching costs money ($15-45/foot). Keeping the array within 100 feet of your house saves on wiring costs.
- Accessible for installation: A truck needs to get equipment in. Wide enough gate, firm enough ground to drive on.
Walk your property with these criteria in mind. Most landowners find at least one spot that checks most boxes.
What Neighbors and HOAs Think
Backyard solar is less visible than rooftop, which often makes it easier to navigate HOA requirements and neighbor concerns.
Texas law (Property Code Section 202.010) protects your right to install solar. HOAs cannot prohibit it outright. They can regulate placement—often requiring rear yard installation, which is typically where you want it anyway. They can require screening or setbacks, but nothing that significantly increases cost or decreases efficiency.
As for neighbors: most don't care once they see what you're doing. Backyard solar doesn't change the street view of your home. Some neighbors get interested and ask questions. A few might even follow your lead.
The panels are lower than your roof line and typically set back from property lines. From a neighbor's yard, they're just a low structure in the distance—less intrusive than a shed or large play structure.
Combining Solar with Other Backyard Uses
Ground mount solar doesn't have to take over your entire backyard. It can coexist with other uses:
- Grazing: Sheep do well under solar panels. They keep the grass trimmed, provide natural fertilizer, and don't damage equipment. Some Texas landowners run small flocks specifically for solar vegetation management.
- Native landscaping: Plant native grasses and wildflowers around the array. Low maintenance, good for pollinators, and looks better than a mowed rectangle.
- Shade structure: The space under raised panels provides shade. Some homeowners put picnic tables or garden beds for shade-loving plants underneath.
- Wildlife habitat: The area around solar arrays can serve as pollinator habitat if planted with native species. Solar and ecology aren't mutually exclusive.
What the Installation Process Looks Like
Backyard solar installation is straightforward:
Site assessment
Installer visits, walks the property, identifies the best spot, and designs the system.
Permits and approvals
Your installer handles building permits, electrical permits, and HOA approvals if needed. Takes 2-4 weeks typically.
Foundation work
Posts driven into the ground or concrete piers poured. Usually takes a day, depending on soil conditions.
Racking and panels
Frame goes up, panels get mounted, wiring connects everything. Takes 1-2 days for most residential systems.
Electrical connection
Trenching to your house (or above-ground conduit), inverter installation, connection to your panel.
Inspection and activation
City inspector checks the work, utility approves interconnection, and you flip the switch.
Total time from contract to power production: typically 6-10 weeks. The actual installation is 2-4 days. The rest is permits and paperwork.
Is Backyard Solar Right for You?
Backyard solar makes sense if you:
- • Have at least a quarter acre of property
- • Have a sunny area you're not actively using
- • Want to avoid putting anything on your roof
- • Plan to stay in your home for 7+ years
- • Pay more than $100/month in electricity
If your property is small, heavily shaded, or you're planning to move soon, backyard solar might not be the right choice. But for Texas homeowners with space and time, it's a solid way to turn unused land into something that pays dividends for decades.