Solar panels in Del Rio, TX
Roofs in Del Rio get about 1,805 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 80% of the cities we've measured. Here's what that means in cost, savings and payback, using real rooftop data rather than a national average.
Check your specific roof in Del Rio → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Del Rio solar system costs
A 18-panel system (7.2 kW) is about right for an average Del Rio home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,047 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,910 | $6,384 | $741 | 8.6 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 7,364 | $9,576 | $1,112 | 8.6 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 9,819 | $12,768 | $1,483 | 8.6 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 12,274 | $15,960 | $1,686 | 9.5 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 15,956 | $20,748 | $1,825 | 11.4 yrs |
Notice that payback barely improves as systems get bigger, and eventually gets worse. That's because you can only save money on electricity you were going to buy anyway. Once a system covers your usage, extra panels mostly generate exports at a much lower rate.
Why Del Rio gets 1,805 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Del Rio — it already accounts for shading from trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings, which is why it's lower than the raw "hours of daylight" figures you'll see elsewhere. An unusually open, unshaded roof in Del Rio reaches about 1,892 hours, roughly 5% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,805 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,892 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Texas avg) | 15.1¢/kWh |
| Installed cost assumed | $2.85/W |
| Panel size assumed | 400 W |
| Federal tax credit | 30% |
| Typical household usage | 10,800 kWh/yr |
| Power used as generated | 34% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 7 |
| Google imagery from | 2017 |
When Del Rio actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 32% of Del Rio's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 17% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 103 | |
| Feb | 125 | |
| Mar | 151 | |
| Apr | 175 | |
| May | 190 | |
| Jun | 195 | |
| Jul | 192 | |
| Aug | 180 | |
| Sep | 159 | |
| Oct | 132 | |
| Nov | 108 | |
| Dec | 96 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.0× between Jun and Dec. Del Rio is close enough to the equator that seasonal variation is mild, which makes sizing a system considerably more predictable.
The annual total is measured from Google's rooftop imagery. Its split across months is calculated from solar geometry at Del Rio's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Del Rio compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Del Rio | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,805 hrs | 133rd |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 5% | 398th most |
| Median roof size | 143 m² | 545th largest |
| Electricity rate | 15.1¢ | 389th highest |
| Payback | 8.8 yrs | 220th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 639 kg/MWh | 410th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Del Rio:
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Del Rio dates from 2017. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Del Rio's 1,805 usable sun hours from other states and provinces. Same sunlight, different electricity prices — which is usually what decides whether solar is worth it.
| City | Sun hrs | Rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naples, FL | 1,805 | 15.3¢ | 8.6 yrs |
| Largo, FL | 1,806 | 15.3¢ | 8.6 yrs |
| Miami, FL | 1,807 | 15.3¢ | 8.6 yrs |
| Kearney, NE | 1,803 | 11.2¢ | 11.8 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Texas → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Del Rio solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Del Rio?
About 18 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Del Rio roofs get 1,805 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 614 kWh annually. A typical Del Rio roof fits about 43 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Del Rio?
At 15.1¢/kWh and 1,805 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 8.8 years and returns roughly $26,639 over a 25-year panel life. That is a solid return, and it improves further if electricity prices rise. Exported power earns full retail credit here.
How much do solar panels cost in Del Rio?
A 7.2 kW system costs about $20,520 before incentives and $14,364 after the 30% federal tax credit. That works out near $2.85 per watt installed. Roof pitch, shading, electrical panel upgrades and equipment choice move the price most, which is why quotes for the same house can differ by thousands.
Worth reading before you buy
Estimates only, generated 2026-08-22 from Google Solar API rooftop samples and average Texas electricity rates. Not a quote and not financial advice. Your roof, usage, utility plan and local incentives will change these numbers — get real quotes before buying.