Compare the whole bill, not the buyback rate alone
There is no single best solar buyback plan for every Texas home. The right comparison combines your grid-import price, export-credit method, monthly charges, credit cap, rollover rules, and actual import and export pattern.
Imports, self-use, and exports are not equal
Grid imports
Electricity your home buys when panels are not covering demand. You pay the plan's energy price plus applicable delivery and fixed charges.
Solar used at home
Power used as it is produced can avoid a grid purchase. This is often more valuable per kWh than exporting at a lower credit rate.
Solar exports
Surplus power sent to the grid. Its value follows the provider's buyback agreement, including any cap, rollover, or expiration rule.
How Texas solar buyback plans differ
These examples show the major structures a Texas solar owner may encounter. Retail plans are available only where electricity choice exists and can vary by address. CoServ is a cooperative program for members in its territory.
| Provider or utility | How exports are valued | Credit treatment | Read before enrolling |
|---|---|---|---|
| TXU EnergyRetail plan | Eligible plans credit excess generation after interconnection and bidirectional metering. The current Electricity Facts Label and buyback terms set the rate. | Some eligible plans use a Buyback Bank. Unused dollars may bank, but have no cash value and do not transfer. | Official TXU FAQs |
| ReliantRetail plan | Solar Payback Match uses the ERCOT real-time settlement price for the home's load zone in each 15-minute interval. | Reliant says credits are unlimited, applied to the monthly bill, and excess credits roll forward. | Official Reliant plan |
| Green Mountain EnergyRetail plan | Solar Max uses the ERCOT real-time price. Perfect Match credits exports up to electricity imported from the grid. | The plan version changes whether exports are uncapped or limited by imported usage. Current plan documents control. | Official Renewable Rewards |
| RhythmRetail plan | Eligible customers receive the contracted Solar Buyback Credit Rate for surplus generation. | Credits can roll forward and have no cash value. Rhythm says they may offset energy, TDU charges, and taxes, subject to its terms. | Official Rhythm FAQs |
| Chariot EnergyRetail plan | Chariot lists market-indexed and fixed-credit choices. Its current page shows Shine, PowerBank, and GreenVolt structures. | The selected plan controls the export rate and limits. Chariot's terms say solar credits have no cash value. | Official Chariot comparison |
| CoServElectric cooperative | CoServ buys excess energy received from eligible members at its avoided wholesale cost, which can change monthly. | The export credit reduces the cost of delivered energy. This is a CoServ territory rate, not a retail plan for all deregulated areas. | Official CoServ calculation |
How we checked this comparison
We reviewed current official provider and utility pages, then summarized the program structure without ranking a company or using affiliate compensation. This is not an exhaustive offer list. Availability and pricing depend on the address, and the current Electricity Facts Label, Terms of Service, and buyback agreement control.
See why the import rate and export rate both matter
Use a recent bill or monitoring-app totals. This teaching estimate keeps charges separate so a high buyback headline cannot hide the rest of the bill.
At the example import rate, using 400 kWh of solar at home instead could avoid up to $64.00 of import energy cost before other plan rules.
Not a bill quote. This simplified estimate does not model time-of-use prices, taxes, minimum-usage rules, negative market intervals, credit caps, expiration, battery losses, or every TDU charge. Enter the energy and export rates from the current plan documents.
“1:1 buyback” is incomplete
Ask: one-for-one with which charge? A plan can match the energy charge while excluding delivery charges and fixed fees. Another may credit a wholesale market price. A third may cap credited exports at imported usage. The label sounds simple, but the contract details decide the result.
Still possible: delivery charges + base charge + taxes
Eight buyback terms to compare
Export rate Is it fixed, market-indexed, or variable?
Eligible charges Can credits offset delivery charges and taxes?
Credit cap Is it monthly, annual, or tied to imported usage?
Rollover Do unused credits roll, expire, or pay out?
Monthly costs Is there a base charge or solar-specific fee?
Contract What are the term, cancellation fee, and renewal rules?
Battery exports Are they treated like direct solar exports?
Eligibility Is interconnection complete with the right meter?
Interconnection comes first
Your TDU, municipal utility, or electric cooperative must approve grid interconnection. A retail buyback enrollment does not replace utility permission to operate. Ask the installer who submits the application, when the bidirectional meter is ready, and when exports may begin.
A battery changes the math
A battery can shift solar into the evening, increase self-use, and provide configured backup power. Its bill value depends on the gap between the import and export rates, efficiency losses, usable capacity, warranty limits, and installed price.
Find electricity plans for your solar home.
Enter your Texas ZIP code to open the marketplace, then use the checklist above to confirm how any plan treats your imports and exports.
Use official documents for the final decision
Provider pages are useful for finding programs, but the current Electricity Facts Label, Terms of Service, and solar buyback agreement control the price and credit rules for your address. We do not rank providers based on who pays us.
Frequently asked questions
Does Texas have statewide net metering?
Texas does not impose one uniform retail net-metering offer in competitive areas. Export compensation depends on the retail electric provider and plan, while municipal utilities and electric cooperatives set their own programs.
Can I choose one company for electricity and another to buy my excess solar?
In a deregulated area, the Public Utility Commission's guidance says excess distributed renewable generation is sold to the retail electric provider that serves the home. Check that provider's specific plan and agreement.
Why can I still receive an electric bill after producing more than I used?
Imports and exports can be valued differently, and fixed charges, delivery charges, non-bypassable fees, credit caps, or credit expiration can remain even when annual generation is high.
Do I need an interconnection agreement?
Yes. A grid-connected system must follow the applicable utility interconnection process before it can safely operate and export power.
How does TXU Energy's solar buyback program work?
TXU Energy offers retail electricity plans that credit eligible customers for excess solar sent to the grid. The home must meet the delivery utility's interconnection requirements, and the current plan documents control credit rates, rollover, caps, and remaining bill charges.
Does CoServ offer solar buyback?
CoServ says it credits eligible members for excess solar at its avoided wholesale cost. CoServ is a member-owned utility, so this is a utility rate for CoServ territory rather than a retail plan that customers across deregulated Texas can select.
This is general consumer information, not tax, legal, engineering, or financial advice. Verify current program rules and final contract terms before spending money.