Solar panels in Eagle Pass, TX
Roofs in Eagle Pass get about 1,827 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 86% 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 Eagle Pass → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Eagle Pass solar system costs
A 18-panel system (7.2 kW) is about right for an average Eagle Pass home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,181 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,969 | $6,384 | $750 | 8.5 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 7,454 | $9,576 | $1,126 | 8.5 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 9,939 | $12,768 | $1,501 | 8.5 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 12,424 | $15,960 | $1,692 | 9.4 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 16,151 | $20,748 | $1,833 | 11.3 yrs |
How we worked this out for Eagle Pass
Every number on this page comes from these seven steps. Nothing is a national average — the sunlight figure is measured from Eagle Pass rooftops.
| # | Step | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What one panel makes here 400W ÷ 1000 × 1,827 sun hrs × 0.85 system losses |
621 kWh/yr |
| 2 | Panels needed to cover typical usage 10,800 kWh ÷ 621 kWh per panel |
18 panels |
| 3 | System size 18 panels × 400W |
7.20 kW |
| 4 | Annual production 7.20 kW × 1,827 hrs × 0.85 |
11,181 kWh/yr |
| 5 | Installed cost 7,200 W × $2.85 per watt, then −30% federal credit |
$14,364 |
| 6 | Annual saving 3,780 kWh used as generated × 15.1¢ + 7,401 kWh exported × 15.1¢ |
$1,645/yr |
| 7 | Payback $14,364 ÷ $1,645 per year |
8.7 years |
Step 6 matters more than it looks. Only 34% of what a system this size produces in Eagle Pass is used the moment it is generated; the other 7,401 kWh is exported and credited one-for-one under net metering. Because exports here are credited at or near retail, that split changes the payback very little — 8.5 years against the 8.7 we show. In places where exports pay a fraction of retail the same split moves payback by years, which is why we model it explicitly rather than assuming.
Assumptions: 400W panels, 15% system losses (inverter, wiring, heat, soiling), $2.85/W installed, 10,800 kWh typical annual household use, 15.1¢/kWh electricity. Change any of those and every figure above moves — which is exactly why a single national "solar costs X" number is misleading.
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 Eagle Pass gets 1,827 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Eagle Pass — 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 Eagle Pass reaches about 1,875 hours, roughly 3% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,827 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,875 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 | 2015 |
When Eagle Pass actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 32% of Eagle Pass's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 17% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 105 | |
| Feb | 127 | |
| Mar | 153 | |
| Apr | 177 | |
| May | 191 | |
| Jun | 196 | |
| Jul | 193 | |
| Aug | 182 | |
| Sep | 161 | |
| Oct | 134 | |
| Nov | 110 | |
| Dec | 99 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.0× between Jun and Dec. Eagle Pass 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 Eagle Pass's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Eagle Pass compares to the other 788 cities
| Measure | Eagle Pass | Rank of 788 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,827 hrs | 113th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 3% | 675th most |
| Median roof size | 108 m² | 685th largest |
| Electricity rate | 15.1¢ | 505th highest |
| Payback | 8.7 yrs | 198th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 639 kg/MWh | 411th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Eagle Pass:
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Eagle Pass dates from 2015. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Eagle Pass's 1,827 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | 1,827 | 31.2¢ | 8.8 yrs |
| North Platte, NE | 1,827 | 11.2¢ | 11.8 yrs |
| Vernal, UT | 1,825 | 11.2¢ | 11.8 yrs |
| Price, UT | 1,825 | 11.2¢ | 11.8 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Texas → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Eagle Pass solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Eagle Pass?
About 18 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Eagle Pass roofs get 1,827 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 621 kWh annually. A typical Eagle Pass roof fits about 33 panels, so check your usable roof area before assuming that many will fit.
Is solar worth it in Eagle Pass?
At 15.1¢/kWh and 1,827 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 8.7 years and returns roughly $26,766 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 Eagle Pass?
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.