Texas Solar Panel Performance Benchmarks
Last updated: 2026-04-06 · Solar Benchmark
Texas Solar Panel Performance Benchmarks
A 6kW solar system in Texas produces between 8,700 and 10,600 kWh per year depending on location. West Texas and El Paso push above 10,500 kWh/year for a 6kW system. The Dallas-Fort Worth area averages about 9,300 kWh. Houston runs slightly lower at around 8,700 kWh due to humidity, cloud cover, and summer storm patterns. The difference across Texas is 20%, larger than most homeowners expect.
Monthly Production Benchmarks: Texas 6kW Reference System
Expected monthly production for a south-facing, 30-degree tilt, 6kW system. Derived from pvlib simulation using Open-Meteo ERA5 historical weather data, Dallas-Fort Worth as the statewide reference location.
| Month | Expected Production (kWh) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | 462 | Short days, low sun angle |
| February | 578 | Gradual recovery |
| March | 840 | Spring output ramps sharply |
| April | 960 | Peak spring output |
| May | 1,050 | Pre-summer high |
| June | 1,068 | Hot, dry; still near peak |
| July | 1,026 | Heat losses trim July output |
| August | 978 | Continued heat suppression |
| September | 858 | Fall onset |
| October | 726 | Noticeable drop |
| November | 510 | Winter approach |
| December | 384 | Lowest month |
| Annual Total | ~9,440 | DFW-area 6kW reference |
(Source: pvlib physics modeling, Open-Meteo ERA5 weather data)
Annual Benchmarks by System Size and Texas Region
| System Size | West Texas (El Paso) | Dallas-Fort Worth | San Antonio / Austin | Houston | East Texas (Tyler area) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | 7,120 | 6,290 | 6,520 | 5,810 | 5,700 |
| 6 kW | 10,680 | 9,440 | 9,780 | 8,720 | 8,560 |
| 8 kW | 14,240 | 12,590 | 13,040 | 11,620 | 11,410 |
| 10 kW | 17,800 | 15,730 | 16,300 | 14,530 | 14,260 |
| 12 kW | 21,360 | 18,880 | 19,560 | 17,440 | 17,120 |
El Paso specific yield: ~1,780 kWh/kW/year. DFW: ~1,573. San Antonio/Austin: ~1,630. Houston: ~1,453. East Texas: ~1,427.
(Source: pvlib physics modeling, Open-Meteo ERA5 weather data, 2015–2024 averages)
Texas Climate Zones and Performance Ratio Targets
Texas spans three distinct solar climates. Performance ratios below 0.78 in any Texas region warrant investigation.
| Climate Zone | Representative City | Annual Specific Yield | Expected PR Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahuan Desert (West TX) | El Paso | 1,720–1,840 kWh/kW | 0.82–0.90 |
| North Central Texas | Dallas, Abilene | 1,520–1,640 kWh/kW | 0.80–0.88 |
| South Central Texas | San Antonio, Austin | 1,580–1,690 kWh/kW | 0.80–0.88 |
| Gulf Coast | Houston, Corpus Christi | 1,400–1,520 kWh/kW | 0.76–0.84 |
| East Texas | Tyler, Beaumont | 1,360–1,480 kWh/kW | 0.74–0.82 |
Learn more about how these benchmarks are calculated at /resources/methodology.
What Affects Texas Solar Output
- Summer heat losses: Texas summers are brutal on panel efficiency. Panel temperature coefficient for typical PERC modules is about -0.35%/°C. On a 105°F (41°C) afternoon in Dallas, panels run at 70–80°C, losing 16–22% of rated output at that moment. Annual heat-related losses across Texas run 5–9%, with Gulf Coast systems at the high end.
- Humidity and soiling: Houston and East Texas systems accumulate pollen, dust, and biological soiling. In spring (March-May), pollen deposits can reduce output by 3–5% without cleaning. West Texas systems face dust soiling from dry winds rather than biological soiling.
- Severe weather: Hailstorms in North Texas can physically damage panels. After any significant hailstorm, check monthly production data for a step-change drop in output. A sudden permanent reduction of 5–15% often indicates panel damage that isn't visually obvious.
- Roof pitch: Many Texas homes have shallow-pitch roofs (2:12 to 4:12). Lower tilt angles reduce winter production and increase soiling accumulation. A system on a 10-degree tilt in Dallas produces about 5% less annually than one at 30 degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should a 6kW solar system produce per month in Texas?
A: The statewide average runs about 787 kWh/month, but it varies significantly by region. Dallas-area systems average 787 kWh/month; Houston systems average around 727 kWh/month; El Paso systems average about 890 kWh/month. Summer months (May-June) are the peak in most of Texas; July dips slightly due to heat.
Q: Why does my Houston solar system produce less than systems in Dallas?
A: Houston receives about 8% less solar irradiance than Dallas annually, largely because the Gulf Coast brings more cloud cover and humidity. A properly functioning Houston system should produce roughly 8,720 kWh/year for 6kW, vs. 9,440 kWh/year in Dallas. Both numbers are healthy for their respective locations.
Q: Does Texas heat hurt solar production?
A: Yes, in summer afternoons. High temperatures reduce panel efficiency, and the effect is largest during peak summer hours when it matters most. Annual heat-related losses for Texas systems range from 5% in the Panhandle to 8% along the Gulf Coast. June tends to beat July in Texas production, not June Gloom, but because July is hotter.
Q: How do I get an independent benchmark for my Texas solar system?
A: A physics-based benchmark requires your production data plus an hourly weather model calibrated to your address. Standard monitoring apps track what your system produced but not what it should have produced given your weather. Learn how to get a proper benchmark at /resources/methodology.
Data: pvlib physics modeling + Open-Meteo ERA5 weather data | Last updated: 2026-04-06 | Solar Benchmark