Solar Savings Analysis — Richardson, Texas

Electricity Market Structure in Richardson

Richardson is served by Oncor Electric Delivery for transmission and distribution infrastructure and participates in the ERCOT deregulated retail electricity market. The city straddles the Dallas-Collin county line, with residential areas in both counties served by the same Oncor delivery network under PUCT oversight.

Richardson falls within the ERCOT North Load Zone. As a mature inner-ring suburb immediately north of Dallas, Richardson's distribution infrastructure reflects decades of incremental build-out serving a stable, high-income residential base. The Telecom Corridor — Richardson's concentration of technology and telecommunications companies — contributes significant commercial load to local distribution circuits, though residential solar economics are evaluated independently of commercial grid activity.

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 — Richardson

Richardson, Texas receives an estimated annual average solar irradiation in the range of 4.9 to 5.3 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 — Richardson

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

Residential electricity rate modeling for Richardson references EIA Form 861 data for the 2024 reference year, applicable to the Oncor delivery territory in Dallas and Collin counties. Richardson's competitive retail electricity market reflects the broader deregulated North Texas pricing environment, with rates varying by retail electricity provider, contract structure, and enrollment terms.

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 Richardson 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 — Richardson

Avoided cost modeling for Richardson applies the ERCOT North Hub wholesale-proxy baseline. Solar energy consumed on-site in Richardson avoids the prevailing residential retail rate, while energy exported to the grid is valued at wholesale-proxy marginal cost levels — substantially lower than retail. SunScore™ modeling weights self-consumption as the primary economic variable in Richardson's solar projection scenarios.

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 — Richardson (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 Richardson 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 — Richardson

Richardson's housing stock is notably dominated by mid-to-late 20th century construction, concentrated in established neighborhoods that have benefited from significant tree canopy maturation over the decades. Shading from mature trees is a more prevalent solar siting consideration in Richardson than in newer suburban developments with minimal vegetative cover. SunScore™ projections for Richardson use city-level NREL irradiation data as the baseline, with the understanding that property-level shading analysis is essential for accurate individual projection refinement. Richardson's association with the Dallas technology sector also correlates with a demographic profile that tends to have above-average electricity consumption, particularly from home office and electronics loads.

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

Homeowners in Richardson 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.