InstaBidsAre solar panel rebates available in Texas?
Yes. Texas solar panel rebates — San Marcos: “$1.00 per watt up to $2,500 for single-family residential customers.” City of San Marcos Electric Utility “Rebate may not exceed 50% of installed cost.” Federal credit — IRS: “The credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025.” Internal Revenue Service The former federal rate was “30%” (IRS, read October 17, 2026). Internal Revenue Service
InstaBids is an AI-run marketplace for homeowners and property managers: describe a home job once, by chat or through your own AI assistant, add photos, and get multiple written quotes on the same scope, compared apples to apples, with no phone calls or home visits before you pick.
To compare written bids for a solar panel installation, describe the project on InstaBids.
- Describe it onceBy chat, or through your own AI assistant, and add photos.
- Post it and send itContractors bid in writing on that scope.
- Compare line by lineEvery quote is written against the same scope.
- You chooseContact details stay hidden until you pick and they confirm.
At a glance
- 3kW (DC)Austin Energy minimum solar system sizeAustin Energy, read November 6, 2026
- April 30TCAD annual exemption application deadlineTravis Central Appraisal District, read November 6, 2026
- 1 kWSan Marcos excludes smaller systemsCity of San Marcos Electric Utility, read November 6, 2026
For your AI assistant
MCP connector · REST API · plain HTMLHand any of these to your assistant and it can help you write this job's request; you send the request yourself. What you type in the job box above goes into the prompt these buttons carry. The connector asks you to sign in to your InstaBids account the first time.
- MCP connector URL
https://instabids.ai/api/agent/mcp - Agent API (OpenAPI)
https://instabids.ai/openapi.json - Start-request link
https://instabids.ai/intake?from=rebates-states--texas--solar-panels&utm_source=us&utm_medium=page&utm_campaign=rebates&page_type=rebates&job=solar+panel+installation&place=texas - Prompt for any AI, with your job
- ChatGPTOpens with the prompt
- ClaudeOpens with the prompt
- GrokOpens with the prompt
- GeminiCopies the prompt, then opens
Every page is plain HTML. Steps for every assistant: add to your assistant.
Programs, amounts and status
| Austin Energy Residential Solar Rebate | “You can earn a $4,000 rebate by completing our Solar Rebate Quiz (based on this webpage) and installing a qualifying solar system on your home using a participating solar contractor.* Learn more below.” Status: open (source read 6 November 2026). “You can earn a $4,000 rebate by completing our Solar Rebate Quiz (based on this webpage) and installing a qualifying solar system on your home using a participating solar contractor.* Learn more below.” Pays for: “installing a qualifying solar system on your home using a participating solar contractor.”. Who it is for, in the agency's words: “You must have an Austin Energy residential electric utility account. The solar system must be installed at the premise connected to your Austin Energy residential electric account.” How to apply: austinenergy.comAustin Energy, read 6 November 2026 |
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| San Marcos Solar PV Rebate | “$1.00 per watt up to $2,500 for single-family residential customers. $1.00 per watt up to $5,000 for commercial customers. Rebate may not exceed 50% of installed cost.” Status: open (source read 6 November 2026). “Program is open to existing SMTX Utility customers with an account in good standing.” Pays for: “grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) systems”. Who it is for, in the agency's words: “The rebate applicant must be both the property owner and the electric utility customer. Customer must have at least twelve months of electric usage history at the current address. Single-family homes must meet minimum energy efficiency criteria in order to qualify. Rebate is not applicable to systems less than 1 kW, or systems sized to produce more than 100% of the annual energy consumption.” How to apply: sanmarcostx.govCity of San Marcos Electric Utility, read 6 November 2026 |
| Solar Exemptions — Travis Central Appraisal District | Amount not stated by Travis Central Appraisal District (read 2026-11-06) Status: open (source read 6 November 2026). “Exemption applications can be submitted using our online portal. Property owners will be prompted to create a new login by using an email address and password.” Pays for: “exemptions on the installation or construction of solar and wind-powered energy devices”. Who it is for, in the agency's words: “In order to be eligible for this exemption, a property owner must own the property and system on January 1 of the year. Leased systems do not qualify for an exemption. However, leased systems are considered personal property and should not be taxed as part of your real property.” How to apply: travis.prodigycad.comTravis Central Appraisal District, read 6 November 2026 |
| Residential Clean Energy Credit | “The Residential Clean Energy Credit equals 30% of the costs of new, qualified clean energy property for your home installed anytime from 2022 through December 31, 2025.” Status: ended (source read 17 October 2026). Pays for: “Solar electric panels”. Who it is for, in the agency's words: “You may claim the residential clean energy credit for improvements to your main home, whether you own or rent it. Your main home is generally where you live most of the time. The credit applies to new or existing homes located in the United States.” How to apply: irs.govInternal Revenue Service, read 17 October 2026 |
How much is Austin Energy’s solar rebate?
Austin Energy describes its residential solar rebate as follows. Austin Energy “You can earn a $4,000 rebate by completing our Solar Rebate Quiz (based on this webpage) and installing a qualifying solar system on your home using a participating solar contractor.”
Source: Austin Energy, read .
For a solar installation that follows Austin Energy’s sequence, describe the project and compare written bids on InstaBids.
Which solar systems qualify for Austin Energy’s rebate?
Austin Energy requires a residential electric account at the installation premise. The solar equipment must be new, and rebate submission must precede installation. The utility states its size rule as follows. Austin Energy “The solar system must be 3kW (DC) or larger, and mostly free of shading.”
Source: Austin Energy, read .
Post the solar equipment and installation scope on InstaBids so written bids can describe the proposed system.
What does San Marcos require before solar installation?
San Marcos requires a rebate application before purchase and installation. The applicant must own the property and hold the electric utility account. The city reviews eligibility and available money before issuing its letter to proceed. City of San Marcos Electric Utility San Marcos excludes systems below 1 kW and systems sized above annual electricity consumption.
Source: City of San Marcos Electric Utility, read .
Use InstaBids to compare proposed solar installation scopes and each contractor’s equipment list before choosing a bid.
What paperwork does San Marcos require for solar rebates?
San Marcos asks applicants for a proposed site layout, equipment specification sheets and a PV Watts production report. The final paperwork includes itemized invoices and warranty information. The utility’s document supplies the submission windows, so retain those records throughout the installation. City of San Marcos Electric Utility
Source: City of San Marcos Electric Utility, read .
A solar job posted on InstaBids can ask each bid to identify the equipment and installation documents the city requests.
How do Travis County solar exemption applications work?
Travis Central Appraisal District accepts solar exemption applications through its online portal. Property owners supply installation-date and system-output documents; a device included with the home needs an explanatory statement. The exemption is a property-tax process, separate from either utility’s installation rebate. Travis Central Appraisal District
Source: Travis Central Appraisal District, read .
Describe the solar installation on InstaBids and retain the system documentation with the project records.
When are Travis County solar exemption applications due?
Travis Central Appraisal District gives this annual filing deadline. Travis Central Appraisal District “Completed applications must be filed no later than April 30 of the year for which a property owner is requesting an exemption.” The district also ties ownership of both the property and system to January 1.
Source: Travis Central Appraisal District, read .
Keep the appraisal district’s timing separate from the solar installation schedule described in your InstaBids request.
Can Texans still get the federal solar tax credit?
The IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for new installations after the stated cutoff. The IRS status is explicit. Internal Revenue Service “The credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025.” Earlier installations and carryforwards follow the IRS instructions.
Source: Internal Revenue Service, read .
For a new solar installation, use InstaBids to compare written work scopes and keep federal tax questions with the IRS guidance.
Rebate, tax credit, grant or weatherization: how they differ
San Marcos states a separate limit on each rebate. City of San Marcos Electric Utility
“Rebate may not exceed 50% of installed cost.”
“Rebates are offered on a first come/first serve basis and are subject to availability of funds.”
Before you apply
- Keep the Austin Energy rebate confirmation letter before installation begins.
- Include the proposed layout, equipment specification sheets and PV Watts report with the San Marcos application.
- For the TCAD exemption, gather installation-date and system-output documents, including a statement when the device came with the home.
Sources read:
- Internal Revenue Service: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit, read 17 October 2026.
- Internal Revenue Service: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i5695, read 21 October 2026.
- Austin Energy: https://austinenergy.com/green-power/solar-solutions/for-your-home, read 6 November 2026.
- City of San Marcos Electric Utility: https://www.sanmarcostx.gov/3720/Energy-Rebate-Programs, read 6 November 2026.
- City of San Marcos Electric Utility: https://sanmarcostx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15575/DG-Rebate-Program-Info-and-App-Aug-2022?bidId=, read 6 November 2026.
- Travis Central Appraisal District: https://traviscad.org/solar, read 6 November 2026.