Solar buyback plans are popular because they are cost-effective and energy efficient. So, opting for one will help generate clean energy and allow you to get credit for the excess energy produced. Different companies are providing these plans to their customers with interesting offers. If you are a Texas resident considering such a program, this guide highlights the best solar buyback plans in Texas, along with their most favorable rates.
What is a Solar Buyback Program in Texas?
A solar buyback program enables you to resell excess solar electricity to your utility company. Sometimes, this is also referred to as net metering. When your solar panels generate more electricity than you can consume throughout the day, you can export it to the grid. The quantity of electricity you send back will then be credited to you by your utility company.
Best Solar Buyback Plans in Texas
In Texas, you can choose both your electricity provider (REP) and the electricity plan that suits you best. Your choice depends on your budget, electricity consumption, and solar energy generation if you have a solar array. Let us learn about the energy companies in Texas that offer the best solar buyback plans.
1. CPS Energy
CPS Energy has a unique solar buyback plan that credits your solar energy generation at the same rate you pay for all solar energy, up to your usage level. The surplus electricity that you contribute to the grid is typically recognized and compensated at a reduced rate, often equivalent to the wholesale price of electricity.
2. Rhythm Energy
Among the best solar buyback plans in Texas, Rhythm Energy has a solar buyback plan that provides unlimited credit rollover to its users. They offer solar buyback plus and solar buyback select plans, both for a duration of 12 months. There is no credit sweep and the electricity is 100% renewable. The customer gets solar buyback credits at a lower export rate compared to the energy rate.
Also See: Understanding Rhythm Energy’s Buyback Plans: How they Work?
3. Champion Energy
Champion Energy offers four solar buyback programs to its customers, which are Champ Saver (12 and 24), Champ Silver 24, Green Energy 12, and Free Weekends 24. If the credits are unused by the customer, they roll over to the next month. However, there is no cash payment option for the surplus production of electricity. Moreover, based on the plan chosen by the customer, they are eligible to receive a $50 LED bulb rebate and a $50 smart thermostat rebate.
4. Chariot Energy
Chariot Energy offers the Rise plan and Shine plan for 12, 24, and 36 months. Rise plans have the same rates as retail kWh price (without TDU charges), while Shine plans vary based on real-time wholesale market price. For these Chariot Energy buyback programs, there is no solar buyback limit and unused credits are rolled over to the next month.
5. Gexa Energy
Gexa Energy offers the Gexa Solar Buyback 12 plan that costs around 9.95 ¢/ kWh + TDU. It also has other plans. The monthly energy usage from the grid is the maximum credit available for surplus solar generation for this plan. However, the credits in this plan cannot be rolled over.
Also Read: Exploring Gexa Energy: A Complete Analysis of Its Rates and Plans
6. Green Mountain Energy
Green Mountain Energy provide the best solar buyback plans in Texas to their customers: Renewable Rewards Solar Credit 12, Renewable Rewards Essential 12, and Renewable Rewards 36. Here, the maximum solar credit is based on your monthly usage of energy from the grid. The credits cannot be rolled over in this plan. For Solar Credit 12, there is no solar buyback limit, and unused credits from this are rolled over to the next month.
7. Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy offers Octo 12 whose prices are real-time wholesale market prices, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The solar buyback credit in these plans is rolled over to the next month.
Also See: How to Cancel Octopus Energy
8. Reliant Energy
Reliant Energy offers a Solar Payback Plus plan to its customers. This plan is applicable to solar power systems of up to 50 kW. There is no solar buyback limit, and the credits not used by you are rolled over to the next month.
9. TXU Energy
TXU Energy provides its customers with a range of Home Solar Buyback plans, including options for 12, 24, and 36 months. However, for Solar Buyback 36, the price is the same as the retail price, without TDU charges. The monthly energy usage by the customer from the grid is the maximum credit available for surplus solar generation. The credits cannot be rolled over.
10. MP2
Customers of MP2 Oncor Electric Delivery and CenterPoint Energy can take advantage of a highly advantageous solar net metering program. Their buyback rates are the same as their retail rates. MP2 allows for the rollover of credits, but after December, the accumulated credits will be nullified.
With this, you know the best solar buy back programs in Texas. However, if you want to know Texas’s best solar buyback rates, read the next pointer.
Also Read: 20 Best Energy Companies in Houston
Best Solar Buy Back Rates in Texas
Here are some of the best solar buy back rates in Texas offered by energy companies.
Retailer | Plan and Term | ETF (Early Termination Fee) | Import kWh | Export kWh |
Almika | 12-Mo Buyback | $150 | 14.9¢ +TDU | 4.9¢ |
Amigo | Nights Free – 12 | $175 | 24.1¢ | 3.0¢ |
Champion | Champ Saver – 12 | $150 | 9.7¢ +TDU | Real-Time Wholesale prices (RTW) |
David | Solar Seller | $10 /month | 7.8¢ +TDU | 90% RTW |
Energy TX | Come & Take It + SBB – 12 | $250 | 9.5¢ +TDU | RTW≤9.5¢ |
Gexa | Solar Buyback – 12 | $150 | 12.7¢ +TDU | 12.7¢ |
Green Mountain | RR Solar Credit – 12 | $150 | 11.4¢ +TDU | 6.4¢ |
Just Energy | Nights Free – 12 | $175 | 24.1¢ | 3.0¢ |
MP2 | Solar Buyback – 12 | $149 | $0.1230 + TDU | Wholesale price |
Octopus | Octo 12 | $100 | 9.0¢ +TDU | RTW |
Reliant | Solar Payback Plus – 12 | $150 | – | – |
Rhythm | Solar Buyback Select – 12 | $10/mo | 10.1¢ +TDU | 2.5¢ |
Shell | TPG Solar Buyback – 12 | $149 | 10.5¢ +TDU | RTW |
TXU | Home Solar Buyback – 12 | $150 | 12.5¢ +TDU | 9.5¢ |
Chariot | Rise – 36 | $15 /mo | 9.9¢ +TDU | 9.9¢ |
With this comprehensive guide, you know about the best solar buyback plans in Texas and the best rates you can get. However, based on the areas, the plans’ availability and rate might change. Hence, it is always a good idea to confirm with the energy provider first and opt for something that best suits you!
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1 Comment
This is an oversimplification of what’s available and a little misleading. Many of the plans presented have a monthly fee to be on a solar plan, plus they cap the total earnings to math your consumption. For people who are net generators (minimal consumption & maximum production), they would not earn credits for all the excess generation. Plus, they are paying a fee to be enrolled that plan that may negate any credits earned.