Solar Savings Analysis — Mesquite, Texas

Electricity Market Structure in Mesquite

Mesquite is served by Oncor Electric Delivery and participates in the ERCOT deregulated retail electricity market. Located east of Dallas in Dallas and Kaufman counties, Mesquite functions as a major eastern suburban hub within the DFW metropolitan area and the Oncor service territory.

Mesquite falls within the ERCOT North Load Zone. The city's position at the eastern edge of the DFW core places it in a distribution corridor that transitions toward less densely served east Texas territory. Mesquite's residential and commercial base is served by Oncor's Dallas County and Kaufman County distribution infrastructure, with the Dallas County portion representing the primary residential concentration.

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 — Mesquite

Mesquite, 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 — Mesquite

Oncor Electric Delivery serves Mesquite 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 — Mesquite (EIA 2024 Reference Year)

Residential electricity rate modeling for Mesquite references EIA Form 861 data for the 2024 reference year within the Oncor delivery territory in Dallas County. The Kaufman County portion of Mesquite shares the same deregulated ERCOT market framework. Retail electricity competition in the Mesquite market is consistent with broader eastern DFW pricing dynamics.

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 Mesquite 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 — Mesquite

Avoided cost modeling for Mesquite applies the ERCOT North Hub wholesale-proxy baseline. Solar energy self-consumed in Mesquite avoids the applicable residential retail rate, while energy exported to the grid is valued at wholesale-proxy marginal cost levels — substantially below retail. SunScore™ projection modeling for Mesquite weights self-consumption accordingly.

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 Avoided Cost Explained.

Federal Incentive Layer — Mesquite (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 Mesquite 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 — Mesquite

Mesquite's residential character is predominantly mid-to-late 20th century single-family construction, with the majority of the city's housing stock developed between the 1950s and 1990s. This older construction profile means roof age and condition are important property-level variables in solar siting analysis for Mesquite. Roof replacement may be a co-investment consideration for Mesquite homeowners whose roofing is approaching end-of-useful-life, a variable that SunScore™ projections note as a contextual caveat rather than a projection input.

SunScore™ projections for Mesquite are generated by synthesizing NREL irradiation data for the Mesquite 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 Mesquite

Homeowners in Mesquite 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.