Texas solar buyback plans: compare what you pay and what you earn

What can the credits actually pay for?

Gexa Solar Buyback 12: the reviewed EFL lists a fixed export credit. Gexa's Solar Net Metering terms say a credit exceeding the energy charge carries to the next bill, and unused credits are forfeited when you leave. They have no cash value and cannot transfer to another account. Do not assume a 3¢ credit offsets every part of your bill.

Gexa credit-formula conflict: the EFL describes credits for real-time outflow, while one TOS sentence says credits are based on exports exceeding grid consumption in a billing period. Those formulas can produce different credits. Our calculator shows both interpretations separately and does not claim a final bill. Confirm the applicable formula with Gexa.

The Gexa EFL's advertised average price includes an assumed 475 kWh of monthly exports. Your own export total may differ substantially. Use the separate energy, base and delivery charges above rather than treating that advertised average as an import-only electricity rate.

Chariot Shine 36: its EFL uses the real-time settlement point price at the time of export, subject to a 25¢/kWh cap. That cap is not a fixed payment or an expected average. The linked TOS allows solar credits toward energy charges, TDU charges and taxes, with rollover and no cash value. However, its net-exporter suspension clause conflicts with the EFL's stated eligibility; see the clarification below.

Green Mountain and Rhythm: Solar Credit has fixed export credits; Solar Max uses 15-minute load-zone market prices with a zero floor. Remaining buyback credits are refunded within 90 days after termination after paying outstanding amounts. Interconnection and an eligible meter are required; the program is intended for systems up to 50 kW. Do not assume credits eliminate delivery or taxes. Credits offset only the monthly energy charge, have no cash value and roll forward while you remain on an eligible plan. TDU charges and taxes remain payable. Rhythm may suspend buyback if exports exceed imports over six consecutive months, with at least 30 days' notice. Interval meter data is needed to compare costs.

A 1:1 energy credit is also different from cancelling the whole bill: base fees, delivery charges, taxes and credit restrictions can remain. Read both the EFL and the product-specific TOS.

Why the highest buyback rate may cost more

Consider two fictional plans, each with a $10 monthly base charge and the same delivery fees. Plan A charges 9¢ per imported kWh and credits 3¢ per exported kWh. Plan B charges 12¢ and credits 7¢. Assume credits fully offset these example energy charges, without caps or rollover.

The extra 4¢ export credit in Plan B must recover its extra 3¢ import charge. With equal base and delivery fees, it breaks even when exports equal 75% of imports: 3¢ ÷ 4¢. Real credit limits, battery programs and time-of-use prices can change that result.

For a real-time buyback plan, monthly exported kWh alone cannot tell you the credit. You need the export timing and the matching settlement prices. A simple monthly calculator cannot reliably rank that plan against a fixed-credit offer.

Why some monitored plans are not ranked

Chariot GreenVolt 24 and 36: the reviewed EFL tables list 7¢/kWh buyback, while the accompanying explanation describes multiplying exports by the contracted energy-only rate. Those values differ. We exclude these plans from calculated comparisons until the conflict is clarified. The EFL also says net exporters do not qualify.

Chariot Shine 36: the EFL says net exporters qualify, but its linked TOS reserves the right to suspend buyback credits for net exporters. The table reports documented pricing components, not an endorsement or an assurance of eligibility. Ask the provider to resolve that conflict in the documents applying to your account.

Gexa Battery Benefits 12: a battery participation credit comes with additional equipment and remote-control requirements. We do not subtract that credit from an ordinary solar customer's estimated bill.

Champion: public Champ Saver quotes mention indexed buyback, but the EFL says it may be available and the public addendum is only an example. We have not verified the applicable solar agreement and enrollment conditions, so Champion is not in the price table.

Reliant and TXU: they are not in our verified comparison. An accessible old PDF or a general program page is insufficient to confirm a currently offered plan for the checked ZIP. This does not mean those providers have no buyback plans.

Check your delivery area and your own meter data

Oncor and CenterPoint are delivery companies; the retail provider sets the buyback offer. Our two ZIP checks do not establish availability throughout Texas or at every address in either delivery area.

Programs outside these competitive retail territories can work differently. For example, Austin Energy's Value of Solar program credits solar production under its own rules. Do not apply an Oncor retail plan comparison to an Austin Energy account.

Before comparing contracts, collect a year of imported and exported kWh, your interconnection/PTO status, and the size of your solar installation. For free-night or real-time plans, use interval data. Panel production includes solar used inside the home; it is not the same as metered exports.

Continue with Texas electricity rates, Gexa's provider page, Chariot's provider page, or our free nights and weekends guide. The standard electricity bill calculator does not model solar export credits.