Solar Savings Analysis — Cedar Hill, Texas

Electricity Market Structure in Cedar Hill

Cedar Hill is served by Oncor Electric Delivery for transmission and distribution and participates in the ERCOT deregulated retail electricity market. Located in both Dallas and Ellis counties along the Joe Pool Lake corridor, Cedar Hill is distinguished by its unique topography and significant nature preserve holdings.

Cedar Hill is classified within the ERCOT North Load Zone. The city's geographic position along the White Rock Escarpment produces an elevation profile that is unique within the DFW metropolitan area. For solar modeling purposes, this elevation profile does not materially alter the city-level irradiation baseline, which remains consistent with the broader North Texas region.

For additional context on Oncor Electric Delivery's role as the transmission and distribution operator in this market, see the Oncor Electric Delivery utility authority node.

Solar Irradiation Context — Cedar Hill

Cedar Hill, Texas receives an estimated annual average solar irradiation in the range of 4.9 to 5.2 kWh per square meter per day, based on NREL National Solar Radiation Database reference data for the North Texas geographic zone. This translates to approximately 5.0 peak sun hours per day on an annualized basis, representing a moderately high solar resource consistent with the broader Texas solar production environment.

City-level irradiation data is applied in SunScore™ modeling as a primary energy yield input. No ZIP code-level or address-level irradiation claims are made on this page. Actual solar output at any specific property will vary based on roof pitch, azimuth, shading obstructions, and system configuration.

Utility Territory & Delivery Structure — Cedar Hill

Oncor Electric Delivery serves Cedar Hill as the regulated transmission and distribution operator under PUCT oversight. Oncor does not set retail electricity prices in the deregulated Texas market. Retail rates are established by competing retail electricity providers (REPs). The delivery charge component of a retail electricity bill — covering Oncor's transmission and distribution infrastructure — is regulated separately from the energy supply charge. SunScore™ projection modeling addresses the energy supply component of the retail bill, not the regulated delivery charge. Methodology detail is available at SunScore™ Projection Methodology.

Retail Electricity Baseline — Cedar Hill (EIA 2024 Reference Year)

Residential electricity rate modeling for Cedar Hill uses EIA Form 861 data for the 2024 reference year for the Oncor delivery territory. Retail competition in Cedar Hill is governed by the same deregulated ERCOT North Texas market dynamics as surrounding Dallas County cities. The city's dual-county presence across Dallas and Ellis counties does not result in materially different residential rate outcomes due to the unified delivery network.

All rate references on this page derive from publicly available EIA Form 861 data for the 2024 reference year and represent historical average figures. They are not real-time rates, guaranteed future rates, or provider-specific quotes. Actual retail electricity prices in Cedar Hill vary by retail electricity provider, contract type, and enrollment date. Consumers seeking current rate information may consult the Power to Choose portal maintained by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Avoided Cost & Export Compensation Context — Cedar Hill

Avoided cost for Cedar Hill is modeled using the ERCOT North Hub wholesale-proxy baseline. Self-consumption of solar energy in Cedar Hill avoids the applicable residential retail rate, while grid export is compensated at wholesale-proxy levels substantially below retail. This differential is a primary driver in SunScore™ ROI projection modeling for Cedar Hill.

In the ERCOT market structure, solar energy consumed on-site avoids the retail rate, while energy exported to the grid is compensated at or near wholesale-proxy levels — a materially lower value. SunScore™ projections distinguish between self-consumption and export scenarios in the modeled output. A detailed explanation of the avoided cost framework is available at our Avoided Cost methodology guide.

Federal Incentive Layer — Cedar Hill (ITC 30% Reference)

The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), currently structured at 30% of eligible system cost under the Inflation Reduction Act as of the 2024 reference year, is available to qualifying homeowners in Cedar Hill who install eligible solar photovoltaic systems. This credit is non-refundable — it reduces federal income tax liability but does not generate a direct cash payment if the credit exceeds tax liability in the installation year. Unused credit amounts may carry forward to subsequent tax years subject to applicable IRS rules.

The federal ITC is incorporated as an incentive layer input in SunScore™ projected payback and return scenarios. GetSunScore does not provide tax advice. Homeowners should consult a qualified tax professional to assess personal eligibility and application. A detailed explanation is available at Federal Solar Tax Credit Explained.

Modeled Projection Context — Cedar Hill

Cedar Hill's topographic diversity — reaching the highest elevation in the DFW metropolitan area at approximately 800 feet above sea level — introduces a unique environmental context for solar modeling. While regional NREL irradiation data is applied at the city level, Cedar Hill's "Hill Country" character produces more varied lot conditions than the flat suburban grids found elsewhere in North Texas. This means property-specific shading from topography and dense native tree canopy is a significant variable for Cedar Hill homeowners. SunScore™ projections provide a city-level modeled baseline; individual property conditions may deviate from this modeled average.

SunScore™ projections for Cedar Hill are generated by synthesizing NREL irradiation data for the Cedar Hill geographic zone, EIA Form 861 rate baselines for the 2024 reference year, publicly available residential system performance assumptions, and applicable federal and state incentive layer inputs. The output is a modeled estimated savings range expressed as an annual and cumulative scenario over a defined projection horizon.

All SunScore™ projections are non-binding modeled scenarios. They do not constitute financial advice, a solar installation quote, or a guaranteed savings figure. Full methodology documentation is available at SunScore™ Projection Methodology, GetSunScore Data Sources, and Modeling Assumptions.

Solar Installation Pathway in Cedar Hill

Homeowners in Cedar Hill who have reviewed GetSunScore's modeled solar savings projection and wish to proceed with installation evaluation may do so through the standard residential solar qualification and contractor evaluation process.

GetSunScore does not install solar systems, endorse specific solar contractors, or recommend providers. Qualified homeowners seeking installation evaluation may consult the installer directory referenced in GetSunScore's partner network documentation.