Garland is a large, established city in eastern Dallas County with over 240,000 residents — and one important distinction from most DFW solar markets. The majority of Garland is served by Garland Power & Light (GPLight), a municipally owned utility, rather than Oncor Electric Delivery. That difference matters for solar interconnection, net metering, and rebate eligibility. This guide addresses both GPLight and Oncor customers in Garland so you know exactly where you stand.
Which Utility Serves Your Garland Home?
Most Garland addresses are served by Garland Power & Light (GPLight). Some properties near the city's edges — particularly in areas bordering Rowlett, Sachse, and Mesquite — may be served by Oncor. The easiest way to confirm: check your electricity bill for the utility name, or look for "GPLight" or "Oncor" as the delivery company.
Solar for GPLight Customers in Garland
GPLight operates as a regulated municipal utility, which means Garland is not part of the ERCOT deregulated market. You cannot switch retail electric providers as an GPLight customer. However:
- ✓GPLight has a solar interconnection program — you can legally connect solar to the GPLight grid and receive credit for exported power
- ✓GPLight's net metering policy credits excess solar production against your bill, typically at the retail rate or a defined buyback rate — check current terms directly with GPLight as these change periodically
- ✓GPLight handles permitting coordination differently than Oncor; we manage the GPLight interconnection application as part of every Garland installation
- ✓GPLight customers do not pay TDSP (transmission and distribution service provider) charges to Oncor, which changes the solar savings calculation slightly compared to Oncor-territory homes
- ✓Battery storage still makes sense for GPLight customers for grid outage protection, even without the Oncor rebate — GPLight's grid reliability is generally strong but Texas weather events affect all utilities
Solar for Oncor Customers in Garland
If your Garland home is in an Oncor service area, your solar experience is identical to the rest of DFW: Oncor interconnection, access to the competitive retail electric market, eligibility for the Oncor Solar+Storage rebate, and access to solar buyback plans from providers like Rhythm, Green Mountain, TXU, and Reliant. We confirm your utility territory during the free site visit.
Solar Costs in Garland in 2026
Garland's housing stock is diverse, ranging from 1960s ranch homes in older central neighborhoods to 1990s and 2000s construction in eastern areas near Rowlett. Most Garland solar systems fall in the 5–9 kW range, reflecting the city's moderate average home size compared to the newer northern suburbs.
| System Size | Installed Cost (Before Incentives) | Est. Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| 5–6 kW | $16,000 – $21,000 | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| 7–8 kW | $21,000 – $26,000 | $1,400 – $2,000 |
| 9–10 kW | $27,000 – $32,000 | $1,800 – $2,600 |
Dallas County Property Tax Exemption in Garland
Garland sits in Dallas County. The combined property tax rate — Dallas County, City of Garland, and Garland ISD — runs approximately 2.3–2.6%. Under Texas Tax Code §11.27, your solar system's full value is permanently exempt from this rate. On a $22,000 system at 2.4%, that is $528 per year — $13,200 over 25 years. We file Form 50-123 with the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) on every Garland installation.
Older Garland Homes and Solar Compatibility
Many Garland homes were built in the 1960s through 1980s. For older homes, a few things matter before going solar:
- ✓Roof condition: Composition shingle roofs over 15–20 years old should be evaluated. If replacement is coming within 5 years, combining roof and solar saves money versus two separate projects.
- ✓Electrical panel: Older homes may have 100-amp panels. Modern solar systems usually require a 200-amp service upgrade ($800–$1,500) if the existing panel cannot support the added load. We assess this during the site visit.
- ✓Roof orientation: Older Garland neighborhoods were not built with solar in mind, so roof orientation varies. We identify the best-producing sections of your roof during the on-site assessment.
- ✓Tree coverage: Mature neighborhoods in central Garland can have significant shade. We use shading analysis to quantify the impact and recommend microinverters where shade is unavoidable.
Solar Permitting in Garland
The City of Garland Development Services handles residential solar permits. For GPLight customers, we also coordinate the utility interconnection application with GPLight directly. The combined permit and interconnection timeline in Garland typically runs 3–6 weeks. We manage both processes entirely — no homeowner paperwork required.
Not sure whether you are a GPLight or Oncor customer? Bring your electricity bill to your free consultation and we will confirm your utility, explain your rebate options, and design the right system for your Garland home.
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