Texas Solar Buyback Plans Explained: How Export Credits, Caps & TDU Charges Work
Texas does not have a statewide mandatory 1:1 net-metering law in competitive ERCOT territories. Instead, rooftop solar owners must choose a Retail Electric Provider (REP) that offers a voluntary Solar Buyback Plan, which requires an interconnection agreement with your TDU and a bi-directional smart meter registering both import (Inflow) and export (Outflow) channels.
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1. The Three Types of Solar Export Credit Structures in ERCOT
| Solar Buyback Structure | How Exported kWh Are Credited | TDU Delivery Charge Rule | Best Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 Supply Energy Match (With Cap) | Exports earn the same ¢/kWh as the REP’s supply energy charge, usually capped at monthly imported kWh or supply dollars. | You still pay TDU delivery (5.6¢–7.8¢/kWh) on all grid imports. | Appropriately sized solar arrays without battery storage that export midday and import at night. |
| Fixed Export Rate (e.g., 7¢–11¢/kWh) | Exports earn a fixed published ¢/kWh credit defined on the EFL, often with month-to-month credit rollover. | TDU delivery applies to all imported kWh; rollover credits may offset future supply charges. | Predictable year-round accounting across spring overproduction and summer AC peaks. |
| Real-Time Wholesale (RTW) Export | Exports are credited at the 15-minute ERCOT wholesale settlement price (capped by plan terms). | TDU delivery applies to all grid imports. | Homes with solar + battery storage that can hold energy midday (when solar wholesale prices dip) and export during 5 PM–8 PM scarcity peaks. |
Run your home’s exact consumption, production, and self-consumption numbers in our Texas Solar Buyback Calculator or explore live solar options at Texas Solar Buyback Hub.
2. Why TDU Delivery Fees Still Appear on Every Texas Solar Bill
When your panels export 500 kWh during sunny afternoons and your home imports 500 kWh overnight, your net energy consumption is zero—but you used the TDU’s poles and wires to import 500 kWh. Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, and TNMP assess their regulated per-kWh delivery fee on 100% of gross grid imports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get paid cash at the end of the year for excess solar credits in Texas?
Most Texas solar buyback plans today roll excess bill credits forward to offset future monthly bills rather than issuing cash checks, and many cap credits at your monthly supply charge or forfeit unused credits when you terminate service. Always verify the exact rollover and cash-out clause on the plan's Terms of Service.
Which Texas electricity providers offer solar buyback plans?
Providers offering residential solar buyback programs in ERCOT (availability varies by TDU and interconnection status) include Chariot Energy, Rhythm Energy, Octopus Energy, Green Mountain Energy, TXU Energy, Reliant Energy, Gexa Energy, and Amigo/Just Energy.
Related Tools, Provider Profiles & Guides
- Explore Texas Solar Buyback Options
- Run the Solar Buyback Net-Bill Calculator
- Chariot Energy Profile & Solar Plans
- Rhythm Energy Profile & Solar Plans
All rate examples and TDU delivery tariffs verified November 4, 2026 from official PUCT filings and Electricity Facts Labels.