Texas Solar Buyback Plans:

A Comprehensive Guide

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August 16, 2023

If you're a homeowner in Texas who's considering going solar, you're probably wondering about solar buyback plans. Solar buyback plans allow you to sell the excess electricity that your solar panels generate back to your utility company. This can help you to offset the cost of your electricity bills and save money in the long run.

What is a solar buyback plan?

A solar buyback plan is a contract between a homeowner and their utility company that allows the homeowner to sell the excess electricity that their solar panels generate back to the utility company. The utility company will typically pay the homeowner a credit for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity that they generate and sell back.

Benefits of solar buyback plans

There are several benefits to having a solar buyback plan, including:

  • Reduced electricity bills: Solar buyback plans can help you to reduce your electricity bills by offsetting the cost of the electricity that you purchase from your utility company.
  • Increased savings: If you generate more electricity than you use, you can sell the excess electricity back to your utility company and earn credits. These credits can be used to offset future electricity bills or can even be cashed in.
  • Environmental benefits: Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy. By going solar, you can help to reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment.

Types of solar buyback plans in Texas

There are two main types of solar buyback plans in Texas:

  • Net metering: Net metering is a billing arrangement that allows you to sell the excess electricity that your solar panels generate back to your utility company at the retail electricity rate. This means that you will receive a credit for each kWh of electricity that you generate and sell back.
  • Wholesale buyback: Wholesale buyback plans allow you to sell the excess electricity that your solar panels generate back to your utility company at the wholesale electricity rate. This is typically lower than the retail electricity rate, but it can still be a good way to offset the cost of your electricity bills.

How to choose the best solar buyback plan for you

When choosing a solar buyback plan, it's important to consider your energy usage patterns and your budget. If you have a high energy bill, you may want to choose a solar buyback plan with a high buyback rate. If you have a lower energy bill, you may be able to save money by choosing a solar buyback plan with a lower buyback rate.

It's also important to note that not all utility companies in Texas offer solar buyback plans. If you're considering going solar, be sure to contact your utility company to see if they offer solar buyback plans and what their rates are.

Here are some of the best solar buyback plans in Texas:

  • Chariot Energy Rise Solar: Chariot Energy Rise Solar offers a solar buyback plan that pays you at the retail electricity rate for the excess electricity that you generate and sell back.
  • Champion Energy: Champion Energy offers several solar buyback plans that pay you at the retail electricity rate for the excess electricity that you generate and sell back.
  • Pulse Power: Pulse Power offers a solar buyback plan that pays you at the wholesale electricity rate for the excess electricity that you generate and sell back.

Solar buyback plans can be a great way to save money on your electricity bills and help to protect the environment. If you're considering going solar in Texas, be sure to compare solar buyback plans from different utility companies to choose the best plan for your needs.