Ground Mount Solar Cost in Texas

The Bottom Line on Pricing

Ground mount solar in Texas typically costs between $2.50 and $4.00 per watt installed. That means a 10kW system—enough to cover most Texas homes—runs between $25,000 and $40,000 before any incentives.

Why the range? Location, soil conditions, equipment choices, and how far the system sits from your electrical panel. A simple install on flat ground near your house costs less than one that needs rock drilling and 200 feet of trenching.

Ground mount generally costs 10-20% more than rooftop solar for the same wattage. But that comparison misses the point. Ground mount produces more power because you control the angle and direction. A ground mount system often outperforms a larger rooftop system because of optimal positioning.

What You're Actually Paying For

Equipment: 50-60% of Total Cost

Solar panels: $0.80-$1.20 per watt. Quality panels from Tier 1 manufacturers like Qcells, Canadian Solar, or JA Solar. These carry 25-year warranties and will outlast your mortgage.
Inverter: $0.30-$0.50 per watt. String inverters are most common for ground mount. SolarEdge and Enphase microinverters cost more but offer panel-level monitoring.
Racking and mounting: $0.40-$0.70 per watt. This is where ground mount differs from rooftop. You're paying for galvanized steel posts, aluminum rails, and concrete footings designed to last 30+ years.

Installation Labor: 25-35% of Total Cost

Foundation work: Post driving or concrete piers depending on soil. Rocky ground in the Hill Country costs more than sandy soil in East Texas.
Racking assembly: Building the frame, mounting panels, running wiring. A typical residential system takes 2-3 days for a crew of 3-4.
Electrical work: Connecting the system to your panel, installing disconnects, setting up monitoring. Must be done by licensed electricians in Texas.

Trenching and Wiring: The Variable Cost

This is where ground mount costs vary most. Running electrical from your array to your house costs $15-$45 per linear foot depending on:

• Distance from array to electrical panel
• Soil conditions (dirt vs rock vs roots)
• Required burial depth (typically 18-24 inches)
• Conduit and wire gauge needed for the run

A 50-foot run might add $750-$2,250 to your project. A 200-foot run could add $3,000-$9,000. This is why placing your array close to your home makes financial sense.

Real System Costs by Size

Here's what Texas landowners are paying for complete ground mount installations in 2025:

6 kW System

Good for smaller homes, ~800 sq ft of panels

$15,000 - $24,000

Covers 600-800 kWh/month

10 kW System

Average Texas home, ~1,400 sq ft of panels

$25,000 - $40,000

Covers 1,000-1,400 kWh/month

15 kW System

Larger homes or high usage, ~2,100 sq ft of panels

$37,500 - $60,000

Covers 1,500-2,100 kWh/month

20 kW System

Large properties, EV charging, ~2,800 sq ft of panels

$50,000 - $80,000

Covers 2,000-2,800 kWh/month

Costs Some Installers Don't Mention

Get these in writing before you sign anything:

Permit fees

$200-$500 in most Texas counties. Some installers include this, some don't. Ask.

Utility interconnection

Connecting to the grid can cost $0-$500 depending on your utility. Some charge application fees, others require a new meter at your expense.

Panel upgrade

If your electrical panel is old or undersized, you may need an upgrade. This runs $1,500-$3,000 and is separate from the solar installation.

Tree removal

If trees shade your best install location, removal costs aren't included. Budget $500-$2,000 per tree depending on size. The good news: most Texas properties have clear areas that work fine.

Monitoring systems

Basic monitoring is usually included. Premium monitoring with consumption tracking may cost $200-$500 extra for hardware.

What It Costs After Installation

Solar systems are remarkably low-maintenance, but they're not zero-maintenance.

Annual inspection: $100-$200 if you hire someone. Most homeowners do visual checks themselves.
Panel cleaning: Usually unnecessary in Texas—rain handles it. If you're in a dusty area, $150-$300 per cleaning or do it yourself with a hose.
Inverter replacement: String inverters last 10-15 years. Budget $1,500-$3,000 for replacement around year 12-15. Microinverters typically last 20-25 years.
Vegetation management: Keep grass trimmed around panels. Some landowners let native grass grow—it's fine as long as it doesn't shade the panels.

Total ongoing cost: roughly $200-$400 per year on average, less in many years, more when the inverter needs replacement.

The Math on Payback

A properly sized ground mount system in Texas typically pays for itself in 7-10 years, depending on your electricity rate and system cost. After that, you're generating free power for another 15-20 years.

Here's a real example: A 10kW system costing $30,000 in the Houston area produces about 14,000 kWh per year. At $0.12/kWh, that's $1,680 in annual savings. Simple payback: about 18 years. But electricity rates have increased 3-5% annually in Texas. Factor that in, and payback drops to 11-13 years.

The panels keep producing for 25-30 years. Do the math on 15+ years of near-free electricity.

How to Get Accurate Pricing

Online calculators give ballpark figures. Actual pricing requires a site visit. Installers need to see:

• Your electrical panel capacity and condition
• Distance from ideal array location to panel
• Soil conditions at the install site
• Any grading or site prep needed
• Shading from trees or structures

Get quotes from at least three installers. Compare total installed cost, equipment brands, warranties, and what's included. The cheapest quote often leaves things out.