PermitVector Resources
Best Solar Lead Sources for Texas Contractors in 2026
By Ken Besada · Updated June 10, 2026
The best solar lead source for a Texas contractor in 2026 depends on one number: what is a closed job worth to you? If a residential solar installation grosses $8,000–$15,000, a single closed deal more than pays for a full year of permit-based prospecting. The challenge is finding leads early enough — before three other installers have already called the homeowner.
This article breaks down every major lead channel, the real economics behind each, and one approach that reaches homeowners before they start shopping.
Why Timing Is Everything in Solar Sales
Texas added more residential solar capacity than any state except California in recent years. But the lead marketplace has become brutally crowded. Most lead vendors — Modernize, Angi, EnergySage — sell the same contact to multiple installers. By the time a homeowner’s information reaches your CRM, they have already heard from two to seven other companies.
The permit record changes that dynamic. When a homeowner pulls a roofing permit, they have just paid a contractor to replace their roof. A new roof is the single strongest predictor of imminent solar interest: the homeowner is clearly investing in the home, the roofline is freshly inspected, and installation is straightforward. That permit is filed in a public county database — and it fires days or weeks before the homeowner has visited a single comparison site.
PermitVector tracks roofing permits across 10 Texas markets and classifies each one as a solar-adjacent signal. As of this writing, the trailing-30-day solar signal volume across those markets is approximately 1,900 permits — homeowners who just had a roof replaced and represent statistically high solar-conversion candidates. You see that list. Your competitors do not know it exists yet.
Lead Source Comparison Table
| Source | Model | Est. Cost per Lead | Exclusivity | Texas Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PermitVector | Flat subscription, permit-triggered | ~$0.10–$0.40/signal* | Exclusive (public record) | 10 TX metros | TX contractors wanting first-mover advantage |
| EnergySage | Success fee | $500–$1,200/closed sale | Shared (3–5 installers) | National | High-intent shoppers, larger operations |
| Modernize | Pay-per-lead | $40–$150/lead | Shared (typically 3–4) | National | Volume-hungry operations with strong sales |
| Angi Leads | Membership + per-lead | ~$40–$350/lead, $288–300/yr base | Shared (3–8 pros) | National | General contractors who also do solar |
| Google LSA | Pay-per-lead, inbound | Varies by market | Exclusive (your ad) | Local radius | Established brands with strong reviews |
| PermitDrop | Per-lead | $3/exclusive lead | Exclusive | Austin + Chicago (TX-limited) | Austin-focused solos |
*PermitVector Starter is $199/mo for up to 500 leads — solar signal volume of ~1,900/mo across all 10 markets means a Pro or Power plan spreads that cost across a much larger signal set.
Breaking Down Each Channel
EnergySage
EnergySage is a legitimate high-intent marketplace. A homeowner who fills out a quote form on EnergySage has self-identified as a buyer — that is genuinely valuable. The problem is economics: at $500–$1,200 per closed sale, you pay only when you win, but you still compete with two to four other installers on every quote. Close rates on shared marketplaces average 10–25% for well-reviewed contractors. Run the math: if you close 20% and pay $800 per closed deal, your effective lead cost is $160 per contacted homeowner. EnergySage is best for contractors with strong reviews, fast response time, and the sales process to convert competitive quotes.
Modernize
Modernize sells shared pay-per-lead across home improvement verticals. Lead quality varies widely. Texas solar leads run $40–$150 each depending on specificity and market. At $100/lead shared with three others and a 15% close rate, your cost-per-acquisition is $667 before any labor or overhead. That math works if your average job is $12,000+, but it is thin for smaller operators. Modernize is best for high-volume operations with a dedicated inside sales team.
Angi Leads
Angi’s model has shifted over the years but the core problem remains: leads are sold to multiple contractors simultaneously. The annual membership ($288–300/yr) is a rounding error, but per-lead costs of $40–$350 for solar (a premium category) add up fast. Angi’s own data suggests homeowners on the platform contact an average of 3–4 pros per project. You are in a race every time. If you already use Angi for other trades, the marginal cost to add solar is low — otherwise, the ROI requires scrutiny. See our Angi Leads breakdown for a full comparison.
Google Local Service Ads (LSA)
Google LSA puts your business at the top of local search results and charges only when a homeowner calls or messages you directly. These are inbound, exclusive leads — the homeowner chose to contact you, not a comparison site. The catch is that LSA requires Google verification, a steady stream of reviews, and budgets that scale with market competitiveness. In Austin or San Antonio, solar LSA costs can be significant during peak season. LSA is excellent for established contractors with Google Business Profiles in good standing and a clear marketing budget to manage.
PermitDrop
PermitDrop offers exclusive $3 leads in Austin and Chicago, with Dallas described as “coming soon” on their site. For an Austin-focused solo installer, this is an interesting channel at that price point. Coverage is narrow and the model depends on how they source and classify permits. Worth testing for Austin-specific work; not a solution if you operate across multiple Texas metros.
The Permit-First Math for Solar
Here is the number that reframes the entire conversation.
A Texas solar installation averages $8,000–$15,000 in revenue. One closed job at $10,000 is 50 months of PermitVector Starter at $199/mo — more than four years of leads for one deal. Or put differently: if you close one additional solar job per month from permit signals that you would not have found otherwise, the ROI is roughly 50:1.
The Starter plan covers 1 trade vertical (solar) in 1 metro for up to 500 leads/month. The Pro plan at $399/mo opens 3 verticals and all 10 Texas markets — which is where the 1,900/month solar signal volume becomes accessible. Full pricing details at /pricing.
What Permit Signals Look Like in Practice
PermitVector pulls from county permit databases across its 10 live Texas markets — Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Arlington, Sugar Land, Pearland, San Marcos, Midland, El Paso, and unincorporated Harris County. Important note: Dallas city proper and Houston city proper are not currently in coverage due to data access limitations (login walls, no open feed). If your primary market is Dallas or Houston city, you will want to factor that gap into your evaluation.
For markets we do cover, each morning by 6 AM CT, you receive a classified list of newly filed roofing permits with the property address, permit type, and contact information where available. You call a homeowner whose roof was just replaced. No other solar company has that list. You are not responding to an ad. You are not competing on a marketplace form. You are the first call.
See a real example of the data at /sample and methodology details at /methodology. The solar trade feed is documented at /trades/solar.
When a Competitor Is the Better Pick
Be honest with yourself about fit:
- Choose EnergySage if you want validated, high-intent buyers and can afford to compete on price and reviews. It works well for established solar companies with strong close rates.
- Choose Google LSA if you have an established local presence, solid reviews, and the budget to manage bidding. Inbound exclusivity is hard to beat.
- Choose PermitVector if you are operating in one of our 10 Texas markets and want to reach homeowners before they start shopping. The earlier in the buying cycle you appear, the easier the conversation.
If you want to compare PermitVector against other permit data tools, read our comparison with Shovels.ai.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many solar leads can I expect per month?
Across all 10 PermitVector markets, the trailing-30-day solar signal volume (roofing permits classified as solar-adjacent) is approximately 1,900. A single-metro Starter plan will see a subset of that. See /trades/solar for per-market breakdowns.
Is this the same data Angi or Modernize uses?
No. Angi and Modernize generate leads from homeowners who fill out quote forms. PermitVector generates signals from public county permit records — filed by the homeowner’s contractor, not by the homeowner. The homeowner has not yet engaged any solar company. That is the difference.
What if I want to try it before committing?
PermitVector offers a 14-day free trial, no credit card required. You can cancel in one click if it is not the right fit. See /pricing for plan details.
The Bottom Line
For Texas solar contractors in 2026, the best lead source is whichever one gets you in front of a homeowner first. Shared marketplaces put you in a queue. Permit signals put you at the front of the line — before the queue forms.