Solar panels in Lubbock, TX: payback and output
A kW of south-facing panels in Lubbock produces about 1,743 kWh a year, 23% more than Houston, the Texas reference city. Summer months produce 1.4× what winter does. To cover a typical 10,500 kWh/yr home on paper you'd need roughly 6.0 kW.
Output by month in Lubbock (kWh per kW)
Best: May · weakest: Dec.
Example 7 kW system in Lubbock
- Installed cost (example)
- $21,000
- Production, year 1
- 12,198 kWh
- Savings, year 1
- $1,667
- Payback
- 11.6 years
- 25-year net gain
- $33,455
Uses the Texas average price (15.88¢/kWh, EIA July 2026), full net metering and no incentives. Your utility's rate and export credit may differ — change them below.
Calculate your home in Lubbock
Estimated payback
11.6 years
A solid case if you plan to stay in the home.
≈ $139/month off your bill in year 1
- Year-1 savings
- $1,667
- 25-yr net gain
- $33,455
- Return (IRR)
- 8.0%
- Net cost
- $21,000
Cumulative savings minus cost
Production vs. use by month
12,198 kWh/yr
Covers 40% of your use directly; 34% of the output is used on the spot.
1,697 kWh/yr earn no credit. Your credits exceed a year of grid purchases and most utilities don't pay out the excess. A smaller system pays back faster.
Which size pays off best?
Same usage and prices, only size changes. Best 25-year gain: 7 kW.
| Size | Cost | Year-1 savings | Payback | 25-yr gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | $9,000 | $830 | 11.0 years | $15,047 |
| 4 kW | $12,000 | $1,107 | 10.7 years | $20,896 |
| 5 kW | $15,000 | $1,384 | 10.5 years | $26,745 |
| 6 kW | $18,000 | $1,660 | 10.4 years | $32,594 |
| 7 kW | $21,000 | $1,667 | 11.6 years | $33,455 |
| 8 kW | $24,000 | $1,667 | 13.0 years | $30,455 |
| 10 kW | $30,000 | $1,667 | 15.7 years | $24,455 |
| 12 kW | $36,000 | $1,667 | 18.2 years | $18,455 |
Read the full Texas solar guide for net metering, orientation and price trends.
Other cities in Texas
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Data: NLR PVWatts v8 (U.S. DOE National Laboratory of the Rockies, formerly NREL), TMY weather near Lubbock (33.58, -101.86), 14% losses, retrieved 2026-10-11. Published 2026-10-13.