Solar Savings Analysis — Garland, Texas

Electricity Market Structure in Garland

Garland occupies a unique position in the North Texas utility landscape, with service split between Garland Power & Light (GP&L) — a municipally owned utility — and Oncor Electric Delivery for areas participating in the deregulated ERCOT retail market.

For homeowners in Oncor-served areas of Garland, the solar economic environment is governed by the ERCOT competitive framework, where retail electricity providers are chosen independently and export compensation is not mandated by state law. Residents in GP&L-served areas are subject to different utility-governed rates and incentive structures.

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 — Garland

Garland, Texas receives an estimated annual average solar irradiation in the range of 4.97 to 5.25 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 5.1 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 — Garland

For homeowners in Oncor-served areas of Garland, the solar economic environment is governed by the ERCOT competitive framework, where retail electricity providers are chosen independently and export compensation is not mandated by state law.

Oncor Electric Delivery does not set retail electricity prices in the deregulated Texas market. Retail rates are established by competing retail electricity providers (REPs) operating under Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) oversight. The delivery charge component of a retail electricity bill — covering Oncor's transmission and distribution infrastructure — is regulated separately and appears as a line item in monthly billing. Solar savings projections on this platform address the energy supply component of the retail bill, not the regulated delivery charge component. Methodology detail is available at SunScore™ Projection Methodology.

Retail Electricity Baseline — Garland (EIA 2024 Reference Year)

EIA Form 861 residential rate data for the 2024 reference year informs the savings modeling for Oncor-served residential properties in Garland. Pricing in the competitive retail market for Dallas County has historically reflected a range typical of major ERCOT service zones, shaped by both energy supply costs and regulated TDU delivery charges.

All rate references on this page are derived 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 Garland vary by retail electricity provider, contract type, and enrollment date. Consumers seeking current rate information should consult the Power to Choose portal maintained by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Avoided Cost & Export Compensation Context — Garland

In Oncor-served Garland areas, avoided cost is modeled using the ERCOT North Hub wholesale baseline. This value represents the marginal cost of grid-supplied energy and is significantly lower than average residential retail rates, prioritizing on-site self-consumption as the primary driver of solar savings in GetSunScore's scenarios.

In the ERCOT market structure, the avoided cost concept is central to understanding the economic dynamics of solar energy for Texas homeowners. 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 used in this platform is available at Avoided Cost Explained.

Federal Incentive Layer — Garland (ITC 30% Reference)

The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is available to qualifying homeowners in Garland who install eligible solar photovoltaic systems. As of the 2024 reference year, the ITC is structured at 30% of eligible system cost under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This credit is non-refundable, meaning it reduces federal income tax liability but does not generate a direct cash payment if the credit amount 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 ITC application. A detailed explanation of the federal solar tax credit as it applies to Texas homeowners is available at Federal Solar Tax Credit Explained.

Homeowners in the Oncor-served portions of Garland have access to the same state-level incentive structure as the broader metroplex: property tax exemption for solar equipment value and access to the 30% federal ITC. Export terms in Garland vary depending on whether the property is served by GP&L or a competitive retail provider.

Modeled Projection Context — Garland

Garland's older residential neighborhoods, particularly in the city center and south central areas, feature mature tree canopies that can introduce shading considerations not present in newer developments. SunScore™ modeling uses city-zone irradiation data which does not capture address-specific shading; however, the model's scenario ranges account for typical solar yields in established suburban environments like Garland.

SunScore™ projections for Garland are generated by synthesizing NREL irradiation data for the Garland 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. Results will vary based on actual system performance, roof characteristics, shading, consumption patterns, and future retail rate changes. Full methodology documentation, including data sources and modeling assumptions, is available at SunScore™ Projection Methodology, GetSunScore Data Sources, and Modeling Assumptions.

Solar Installation Pathway in Garland

Homeowners in Garland 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.

Homeowners evaluating solar installation in Garland typically proceed through structured qualification and installer evaluation stages, beginning with a property assessment to confirm roof suitability, structural capacity, shading conditions, and utility interconnection eligibility under Oncor Electric Delivery's interconnection standards.

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.