• Texas has a property tax exemption for installing solar power systems.ULTRA.F/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  Texas homeowners and new home builders looking for solar power incentives have three options: property tax exemptions, utility company incentives and solar net-metering. Green energy advocates see great potential for solar power in Texas, which benefits from year-round sunshine that would allow solar power to be widely implemented. If you are building a new residence or renovating an existing one, these incentives can help you save on energy costs in the long run.
  
  

Property Tax Exemptions

• "Greening" your new or existing home with solar energy in Texas allows for a property tax exemption. Texas Tax Code section 11.27 allows a property tax exemption for the appraised value of the property "that arises from the installation or construction of a solar or wind-powered energy device." The tax code also stipulates that the system must be used primarily for on-site energy requirements.
  
  

Utility Rebates

• Electrical co-ops and investor-owned utilities provide Texans seeking solar incentives additional opportunities for rebates. Co-ops offering solar rebates are Austin Energy, Bryan Texas Utilities, CPS Energy and Guadalupe Valley Electric Coop. American Electric Power and Oncor Electric Delivery are the only two investor-owned utilities offering their residential customers solar power rebates. Rates and rebates vary by company.
  
  

Net-metering Options

• Net-metering is a system of managing energy produced by a renewable energy generator, whereby excess energy is either "banked" for future use or sold back to the utility provider. In Texas, co-op energy companies are not required to offer net-metering; investor-owned utilities credit residential customers for the wholesale value of unused net energy generated.