title: "DIY Solar in Texas: 10 kW for Under $10k" summary: "A hands-on homeowner's guide to self-installing solar panels in Texas — what worked, what didn't, and was it worth it." storyType: solar state: TX savingsMonthly: 160 systemSize: "10 kW" date: "2026-02-22" tags:
- solar
- texas
- diy
- savings
Why DIY?
I'm an electrician by trade, so I was comfortable with the technical work. When I got quotes for a 10 kW system, they ranged from $25,000 to $32,000 installed. I figured I could do it myself for a fraction of that.
Spoiler: I was right — but it wasn't easy.
The System
| Component | Details | Cost | |-----------|---------|------| | Panels | 24 × 415W Canadian Solar | $4,800 | | Inverter | Sol-Ark 12K hybrid | $2,800 | | Racking | IronRidge XR100 | $1,200 | | Wiring & BOS | Copper, conduit, breakers | $600 | | Permit fees | Oncor interconnection | $150 | | Total | | $9,550 |
After the 30% federal ITC: $6,685 net cost.
The Process
- Design & permit (3 weeks) — Drew up plans, submitted to the city and Oncor
- Racking install (1 day) — Lag bolts into rafters, flashed penetrations
- Panel mounting (1 day) — Two people, 24 panels on a single-story ranch
- Electrical (1 day) — Wired strings, installed inverter, connected to main panel
- Inspection (1 week wait) — City inspector approved on first visit
- Interconnection (4 weeks) — Oncor installed the bidirectional meter
Total hands-on time: about 30 hours over three weekends.
Production & Savings
First full year: 15,200 kWh produced. At my average rate of $0.127/kWh, that's $1,930 in annual electricity offset.
Monthly savings: roughly $160/month. Payback on my $6,685 net cost: 3.5 years.
Compare that to the best quote I got ($25,000 gross → $17,500 net): payback would have been 9+ years.
Honest Assessment
What went well:
- Massive cost savings — 60% cheaper than the cheapest installer quote
- Learned a ton about electrical systems and solar
- The Sol-Ark inverter is battery-ready for future expansion
What was hard:
- Permitting paperwork was tedious and confusing
- Carrying panels up a ladder is physically demanding
- I had to buy/rent tools I didn't already own (~$400 not counted above)
Would I recommend it? Only if you have electrical experience or are willing to learn extensively. For everyone else, hiring an installer is worth the premium for safety and warranty.
This is a real experience shared by a licensed electrician in central Texas. DIY solar involves working with high voltages and rooftop hazards. Always check local code requirements and consider professional installation.