How Much Land for Solar Panels in Texas

The Basic Math

Modern solar panels produce about 400 watts and measure roughly 6.5 feet by 3.5 feet—about 22 square feet per panel. But you need more space than just the panel footprint. Once you account for row spacing, access paths, and setbacks, plan on 400 square feet per kilowatt of solar capacity.

Land Needed by System Size

6 kW system~2,400 sq ft (0.06 acres)

10 kW system~4,000 sq ft (0.09 acres)

15 kW system~6,000 sq ft (0.14 acres)

20 kW system~8,000 sq ft (0.18 acres)

Most Texas homes need 8-12 kW to cover their electricity usage. If you have an acre of land, you've got plenty of room. Even a quarter acre works for most residential installations.

Why You Need More Than the Panel Footprint

A 10kW system uses about 25 panels covering 550 square feet of panel area. So why do you need 4,000 square feet of land? Several reasons:

Row spacing

Panels are tilted at an angle (around 30 degrees in Texas) to maximize sun exposure. Rows need spacing so panels don't shade each other, especially during winter when the sun is lower. Typically 8-12 feet between rows depending on panel tilt.

Access pathways

You need to get equipment in during installation and access panels for occasional maintenance. This means paths wide enough for a truck during install and walking access afterward.

Setbacks from property lines

Most jurisdictions require the array to be set back from property boundaries. Common requirements are 10-25 feet from side and rear lot lines, sometimes more from the front.

Equipment space

Inverters, disconnects, and wiring need a spot either at the array or near your electrical panel. Not a lot of space, but it needs to be accessible.

Picking the Right Spot

You might have 5 acres, but not all of it works equally well for solar. Here's what makes a location ideal:

Sun Exposure

The spot needs clear access to sunlight from about 9 AM to 3 PM year-round. This is when solar production matters most. Some morning or late afternoon shade is acceptable—it just reduces total output slightly.

Check for shade sources: trees (including ones that will grow), buildings, hills to the south, utility poles. A tree 50 feet south of your array won't cause problems. One 20 feet south will.

Orientation

Ideally, your clear space allows panels to face true south. East or west-facing installations work but produce 10-15% less power. South-facing is optimal for Texas latitudes.

The ground mount advantage: you choose the orientation. Unlike rooftop solar, you're not limited by which way your house faces.

Terrain and Slope

Flat or gently sloping ground works best. Slopes up to 15% (about 8.5 degrees) are manageable without major site work. Steeper slopes require grading or specialized racking, adding cost.

South-facing slopes are actually advantageous—they naturally tilt panels toward the sun. North-facing slopes work against you and may need more aggressive tilt angles to compensate.

Very uneven terrain—lots of dips, bumps, or rocky outcrops—increases installation complexity. Some leveling might be needed, or installers may work around obstacles with creative racking.

Distance to Electrical Panel

The array connects to your home's electrical panel through underground conduit. Every foot of trenching adds cost—typically $15-45 per foot depending on soil conditions.

A good rule: put the array as close to your house as practical while maintaining good sun exposure. 50-100 feet is common. 200+ feet starts adding significant cost to the project.

Soil and Ground Conditions

What's under the surface matters for installation:

Normal soil

Sandy loam, clay, or typical Texas dirt? Steel posts can be driven directly into the ground with minimal prep. This is the simplest and cheapest foundation approach.

Rocky ground

Common in the Hill Country and parts of West Texas. Posts may need drilling into rock or concrete pier foundations. Adds cost but absolutely workable.

High water table

Areas near the coast or river bottoms may have high water tables. This affects foundation design and may require concrete ballast systems instead of driven posts.

Expansive clay

The black clay soil in parts of Central Texas (\"black gumbo\") expands and contracts with moisture. Foundations need to account for this movement—usually deeper piers.

Any reputable installer will assess soil conditions during the site visit. If they don't ask about your ground or want to see the installation area in person, find a different installer.

Setbacks and Local Regulations

Where you can place solar depends on local codes. Requirements vary significantly across Texas:

Property line setbacks: Typically 10-25 feet from side and rear boundaries. Some jurisdictions have no specific solar setbacks and defer to general accessory structure rules.
Front yard restrictions: Many areas prohibit solar in front yards entirely or require significant setbacks (50+ feet from road).
Height limits: Ground mount systems are typically limited to 8-15 feet at the highest point. Standard residential installations are well under this.
Easements: Utility easements along property edges may restrict where you can install. Check your survey or deed for easement locations.
HOA rules: Homeowners associations may have additional restrictions on solar placement, height, or visibility. Texas law limits HOA ability to prohibit solar outright, but they can regulate placement.

Rural properties often have minimal restrictions. City lots tend to have more rules. Your installer should know local requirements and factor them into site planning.

Dealing with Trees and Vegetation

Trees are the most common shade issue for ground mount solar. Here's how to think about it:

Trees to the south

The most problematic. Calculate how far north the shadow extends at noon in winter (December/January when the sun is lowest). Rule of thumb: a 40-foot tree casts a 60-foot shadow at noon on the winter solstice in Central Texas.

Trees to the east or west

Less critical. Morning or afternoon shade reduces output but doesn't kill the project. If you lose an hour of production at each end of the day, you're still capturing the peak production hours.

Trees to the north

Generally not a shading concern. The sun doesn't come from the north in Texas. Northern trees can actually provide a windbreak.

Sometimes the best move is relocating the array rather than removing trees. Ground mount gives you flexibility—you're not locked to one spot like rooftop solar.

If tree removal is necessary, factor that cost in separately. It's not part of the solar installation and can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the tree.

The Ideal Ground Mount Property

You don't need all of these, but the more boxes you check, the simpler and cheaper your install:

✓At least 4,000 square feet of contiguous clear space (for a 10kW system)
✓South-facing or able to accommodate south-facing panels
✓Minimal shading from 9 AM to 3 PM, especially in winter
✓Flat or gently sloped terrain
✓Normal soil conditions (not solid rock)
✓Within 100 feet of the electrical panel
✓Accessible by vehicle during installation
✓No restrictive HOA rules or easements in the way

Common Land Questions

Can I use flood-prone areas?

Generally yes, with caveats. Ground mount systems can be raised higher than typical to stay above flood levels. You'll need to check local flood plain regulations and potentially get additional permits. The electrical components need to be above expected flood levels.

What about agricultural land?

Solar and agriculture coexist well. Many Texas landowners graze sheep under and around panels—they keep the grass down and don't damage equipment. The panels provide shade for livestock. Some crops grow well under partial shade from elevated panels.

Do I need to own the land?

For residential installations, yes. Solar financing and incentives typically require property ownership. If you're leasing land, you'd need a very long-term lease and landlord cooperation.

Can I expand later?

Absolutely. If you have extra space, you can add panels later. The main consideration is whether your inverter can handle additional capacity or if you'll need a second inverter. Planning for expansion upfront can make future additions simpler.

How Much Land for Solar Panels