Of course if trees are cut down for solar panels then the increased demand on the air-conditioning in summertime might use more energy than the solar panels make.
So consider a hardwood tree for the front yard. The hardwood tree will shade the house in summer but allow light through in winter. Also, a hardwood tree is fire resistant compared to evergreen trees. And most hardwood trees are drought tolerant but not for desert climates.
Now here's an interesting tip. The Encore Azaleas seem to be more drought tolerant and more winter tolerant than the regular Azaleas. They come in three different size categories. Use them for specimens or plant them in a diamond pattern to cover the ground but favor sunlight locations.
Shore Junipter is too thick of a ground cover but Blue Star Juniper can make small specimen plantings of ground cover.
Out in the yard and away from the house, a Blue Point Juniper can locate the corners of the lot or frame the driveway. A Blue Point Juniper is taller than a person but much shorter than a Leland Cypress. The new growth of a Blue Point Juniper starts out soft and flexible but turns into something that like short prickly pine needles. The Leland Cypress is so big that it is usually a mistake.