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The most comprehensive comparison of Texas solar buyback plans on the web. 10 REPs, every rate type, monthly updates, and an interactive calculator to find exactly how much your exported solar is worth.
Texas is the only major solar state without mandatory net metering. Unlike California, New York, or Massachusetts, Texas does not require utilities to credit rooftop solar exports at retail rates. Instead, the state’s deregulated ERCOT market lets Retail Electric Providers (REPs) voluntarily create “solar buyback” plans that credit your exported solar at rates they set competitively.
This means your choice of REP has a massive financial impact. A homeowner with a 10 kW system exporting 5,000 kWh/year could earn $550 annually with the best REP or $150 with the worst — a $400/year difference that compounds to $10,000+ over a 25-year system life.
The ERCOT deregulated market covers approximately 85% of Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth (Oncor territory), Houston (CenterPoint), and most of south and west Texas (AEP Texas, TNMP). Municipal utilities like Austin Energy and CPS Energy in San Antonio operate outside ERCOT with their own solar credit programs.
TXU, Chariot, Green Mountain, Rhythm, Reliant, MP2, Gexa, Frontier
Your exported solar earns a set rate per kWh, regardless of what ERCOT wholesale prices are doing. The rate is locked for the contract term (typically 12-24 months). Predictable and easy to budget.
Current range: $0.05-0.11/kWh
Best for: Homeowners who want predictable, reliable credits
Octopus Energy
Your export credits are tied to the ERCOT real-time or day-ahead wholesale price. During peak summer demand, prices can spike to $0.20-$1.00+/kWh. During mild weather, rates drop to $0.02-0.04/kWh. High reward, high variance.
Current range: $0.03-0.15/kWh (seasonal)
Best for: Risk-tolerant homeowners; battery owners who can time exports
Tesla Electric
Combines wholesale index pricing with Virtual Power Plant credits. When ERCOT issues a grid emergency, your Powerwall dispatches stored energy and earns premium VPP credits on top of the wholesale rate. Requires a Tesla Powerwall battery.
Current range: $0.04-0.12/kWh + VPP bonuses
Best for: Tesla Powerwall owners who want maximum grid income
Some Reliant, Direct Energy plans
Some REPs use a tiered structure where the buyback rate varies based on how much you export. The first 500 kWh might earn $0.07/kWh, while kWh above that earn $0.04/kWh. These are generally the worst value for high-production solar systems.
Current range: $0.03-0.07/kWh (blended)
Best for: Low-production systems only. Avoid for >8 kW systems.
Updated monthly. Rates are representative ranges based on publicly available plan documents and PowerToChoose.org listings. Confirm rates directly with each REP before enrolling.
| REP | Plan Name | Buyback Rate | Type | Contract | Min System | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TXU EnergyTop Pick | Solar Buyback 12/24 | ~$0.09-0.11/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 or 24 mo | None | Largest REP in TX. Oncor territory only. |
| Chariot Energy | Solar 24 | ~$0.08-0.10/kWh | Fixed credit | 24 mo | None | 100% solar. All TDU territories. |
| Green Mountain Energy | Pollution Free Solar Buyback | ~$0.07-0.09/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | None | 100% renewable. Annual true-up. |
| Rhythm Energy | Solar Buyback | ~$0.06-0.08/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | None | App-based. Low base rates. |
| Reliant Energy | Solar Sellback | ~$0.05-0.07/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | None | NRG subsidiary. Tiered structure. |
| Octopus Energy | Intelligent Octopus Solar | Index-based | Wholesale index | Month-to-month | Smart meter | UK-based. Fluctuates with ERCOT wholesale. |
| Tesla Electric | Tesla Electric | Index + VPP | Wholesale + VPP | Month-to-month | Powerwall req. | VPP dispatch credits for Powerwall owners. |
| MP2 Energy | Solar Buyback | ~$0.06-0.08/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | None | Shell subsidiary. |
| Gexa Energy | Gexa Saver's Edge Solar | ~$0.05-0.07/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | None | NextEra subsidiary. |
| Frontier Utilities | Solar Buyback | ~$0.05-0.07/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | None | Budget-friendly base rates. |
Rates shown are representative ranges as of April 2026. Actual rates depend on specific plan variant, enrollment date, and TDU territory. Always check the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) before enrolling. The federal Section 25D residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025.
Enter your system size, estimated monthly solar production, and monthly electricity consumption. The calculator estimates your monthly export credits, net bill, and annual savings with each REP.
Compare every REP's buyback plan for your system size and usage
Sorted by: Best Buyback Rate | Last updated: April 2026
| REP | Plan | Buyback Rate | Type | Contract | Mo. Credit | Mo. Net Bill | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TXU EnergyBest Value | Solar Buyback 12/24 | 9.0-11.0 c/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | $42 | $45 | $1,814 |
Chariot EnergyGreen | Solar 24 | 8.0-10.0 c/kWh | Fixed credit | 24 mo | $38 | $49 | $1,764 |
Octopus EnergyMost FlexibleGreen | Intelligent Octopus Solar | 3.0-15.0 c/kWh | Wholesale index | M-to-M | $38 | $49 | $1,764 |
Green Mountain EnergyGreen | Pollution Free Solar Buyback | 7.0-9.0 c/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | $34 | $53 | $1,714 |
Tesla Electric | Tesla Electric | 4.0-12.0 c/kWh | Wholesale + VPP | M-to-M | $34 | $53 | $1,714 |
Rhythm Energy | Solar Buyback | 6.0-8.0 c/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | $29 | $57 | $1,663 |
MP2 Energy | Solar Buyback | 6.0-8.0 c/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | $29 | $57 | $1,663 |
Reliant Energy | Solar Sellback | 5.0-7.0 c/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | $25 | $62 | $1,613 |
Gexa Energy | Gexa Saver's Edge Solar | 5.0-7.0 c/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | $25 | $62 | $1,613 |
Frontier Utilities | Solar Buyback | 5.0-7.0 c/kWh | Fixed credit | 12 mo | $25 | $62 | $1,613 |
9.0-11.0 cents/kWh
Fixed credit
12 months
None
Oncor
Largest REP in TX. 12- or 24-month contract options. Oncor only. Established brand with reliable billing.
8.0-10.0 cents/kWh
Fixed credit
24 months
None
Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, TNMP
100% solar-powered REP. Available in all four TDU territories. Competitive base rates with strong customer service.
3.0-15.0 cents/kWh
Wholesale index
Month-to-month
Smart meter
Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, TNMP
UK-based REP. Index-based rate fluctuates with ERCOT wholesale. High upside in summer peaks, low in off-peak. Smart meter required.
7.0-9.0 cents/kWh
Fixed credit
12 months
None
Oncor, CenterPoint
Leading green energy brand. 100% renewable. Annual true-up pays out excess credits. Oncor and CenterPoint.
4.0-12.0 cents/kWh
Wholesale + VPP
Month-to-month
Powerwall required
Oncor, CenterPoint
Wholesale index plus VPP credits for Powerwall dispatch. Best for battery owners. Rates vary by grid demand.
6.0-8.0 cents/kWh
Fixed credit
12 months
None
Oncor, CenterPoint
App-based REP with real-time usage tracking. Low base rates offset slightly lower buyback. No hidden fees.
6.0-8.0 cents/kWh
Fixed credit
12 months
None
Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP
Shell subsidiary. Straightforward fixed buyback. Available in most ERCOT territories.
5.0-7.0 cents/kWh
Fixed credit
12 months
None
Oncor, CenterPoint
NRG subsidiary. Wide availability. Tiered export structure. Lower buyback offset by well-known brand stability.
5.0-7.0 cents/kWh
Fixed credit
12 months
None
Oncor, CenterPoint
NextEra subsidiary. Lower buyback but competitive base rates. Good for low-export systems.
5.0-7.0 cents/kWh
Fixed credit
12 months
None
Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, TNMP
Budget-friendly REP. Lower buyback rates but often among the cheapest base rates available.
Estimates are for illustration only. Actual buyback rates vary by plan tier, enrollment date, and market conditions. Self-consumption is estimated at 65% of production for a typical Texas home. Wholesale/index plans show historical ranges and may be higher or lower. Visit powertochoose.org or each REP's website for current rates. Last updated April 2026. The federal Section 25D residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025.
The Texas PUC’s official plan comparison site (powertochoose.org) is the starting point for finding solar buyback plans, but it has significant limitations that trip up solar homeowners. Here is what to look for and what to watch out for.
Use the “Plan Type” filter and select plans that include “solar,” “buyback,” or “renewable” in the name. Not all REPs tag their plans consistently, so also search by REP name if you know which providers offer buyback (see our table above).
Every plan on PowerToChoose has a linked EFL document. Open it and search for “distributed generation,” “solar export,” or “buyback.” The EFL is legally binding — whatever rate is listed there is what you will receive. If the EFL does not mention a solar export rate, the plan does not have one.
The most important number is not the buyback rate in isolation — it is the spread between what you pay for grid electricity and what you receive for exports. A plan charging $0.14/kWh with a $0.09/kWh buyback (5-cent spread) is better than one charging $0.12/kWh with a $0.04/kWh buyback (8-cent spread). The tighter the spread, the closer you are to true 1:1 net metering.
Some plans advertise very low consumption rates ($0.08-0.10/kWh) but have buyback rates of $0.02-0.04/kWh or no buyback at all. For solar homeowners, a low consumption rate with no buyback is worse than a moderate consumption rate with a strong buyback. Always calculate your total cost of ownership including both import costs and export credits.
Choosing between fixed and index-based buyback plans is one of the most debated decisions among Texas solar homeowners. The right answer depends on your risk tolerance, battery ownership, and consumption patterns.
Over the past two years, a homeowner exporting 5,000 kWh/year would have earned:
Best Fixed (TXU/Chariot)
$450-$550
per year (consistent)
Index (Octopus)
$350-$700
per year (variable)
VPP (Tesla Electric)
$400-$800
per year (Powerwall req.)
Understanding how buyback rates have changed helps predict where they are going. The trend is clear: fixed rates are slowly declining while the gap between best and worst REPs is widening.
| Period | Avg Fixed Rate | Avg Index Rate | Trend | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H1 2024 | $0.10-0.13 | $0.04-0.08 | Stable | Mild winter/spring. Wholesale relatively low. |
| H2 2024 | $0.08-0.11 | $0.06-0.15 | Index spikes | Record summer heat drove ERCOT spikes. Index plans saw $0.15+ briefly. |
| H1 2025 | $0.08-0.10 | $0.03-0.07 | Fixed declining | REP competition pushed fixed buyback rates down. Solar adoption grew 34%. |
| H2 2025 | $0.07-0.09 | $0.05-0.12 | Mixed | Summer spikes benefited index. Fixed rates continued slow decline. |
| H1 2026 | $0.06-0.10 | $0.03-0.11 | Diverging | Spread widening between best and worst REPs. Premium plans hold value. |
As solar adoption grows in Texas (up 34% in 2025), more exported solar energy on the grid puts downward pressure on buyback rates. REPs that paid $0.10-0.13/kWh in 2024 now offer $0.07-0.10/kWh. This makes locking in a high fixed rate today more valuable than waiting, and makes battery storage increasingly attractive for maximizing self-consumption.
A home battery changes the solar buyback game entirely. Instead of exporting at whatever your REP pays, you can store energy and choose when (or whether) to send it to the grid. Here are four strategies Texas solar homeowners use to maximize value.
Charge battery from solar during peak production (10am-2pm), discharge during evening peak (4-8pm). Maximizes self-consumption and avoids exporting at low buyback rates.
Best for: Low buyback rate plans (Reliant, Gexa, Frontier)
On index plans (Octopus, Tesla), battery exports during ERCOT price spikes can earn $0.20-$1.00+/kWh. Store solar and release when wholesale prices peak.
Best for: Octopus Energy, Tesla Electric
Use battery to consume 90%+ of your solar production instead of exporting. When buyback rates are low, keeping every kWh at home saves more than selling.
Best for: Any plan with buyback rate below $0.08/kWh
Tesla Electric and some REPs offer Virtual Power Plant credits for battery dispatch during grid emergencies. Earn $50-$200/year in VPP credits on top of buyback.
Best for: Tesla Electric, Octopus Energy
Texas deregulation means you can switch your REP at any time without losing power. Your TDU maintains the physical infrastructure regardless of which REP you choose. Here is the step-by-step process.
Never switch before your solar system has PTO from your TDU (Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, or TNMP). Without PTO, you pay solar-plan rates with zero export credits. Typical PTO timeline: 4-10 weeks after installation.
Review your existing REP contract for early termination fees (ETF). Most ETFs are $150-$200. If your contract expires within 60 days, wait for natural expiration to avoid the fee.
Filter for solar buyback or renewable plans on the Texas PUC official site. Compare using the 1,000 kWh and 2,000 kWh scenarios. Then visit each REP website to confirm the specific solar export rate.
Sign up online or by phone. You need your ESI ID (Electric Service Identifier) from your current bill. The switch processes in 1-2 billing cycles. Your electricity is never interrupted during the switch.
After 1-2 billing cycles, check that (1) export credits appear on your bill, (2) the buyback rate matches the advertised rate, and (3) there are no surprise fees. If something is wrong, contact your new REP immediately.
Most buyback contracts are 12-24 months. When they expire, REPs often auto-renew at a worse rate. Set a calendar reminder 45-60 days before expiration to shop for the best current buyback plan. The 5 minutes of comparison shopping can save $200-$400/year in export credit value.
NuWatt Energy is a licensed solar installer serving the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio metro areas. We design, permit, and install your solar panel system. Once your system receives Permission to Operate (PTO), you choose the REP solar buyback plan that best fits your usage and financial goals.
Site assessment, system design, permitting, installation, and TDU interconnection. Typical timeline: 6-10 weeks from contract to PTO.
We help you understand your production profile and recommend REP plans that maximize your export credits for your specific system and TDU territory.
The right REP adds $300-$500/year in export credit value to your solar investment. Over 25 years, that is $7,500-$12,500 in additional value.
If you live in Austin or San Antonio, you are served by a municipal utility outside the ERCOT deregulated market. You cannot choose a REP. Your solar export rates are set by the utility, not by competitive market forces.
Program: Value of Solar Tariff (VOS)
Export rate: ~$0.097/kWh (set annually by commission)
Structure: Monthly credits applied to bill, annual true-up
Key detail:Not 1:1 net metering. The VOS rate represents the calculated value solar provides to Austin’s grid, which is lower than the retail rate ($0.11-0.13/kWh). Still the best municipal solar program in Texas.
Program: Solar Net Metering
Export rate: Full retail rate (true 1:1 net metering)
Max system size: 25 kW residential
Key detail: One of the best solar credit programs in all of Texas. True 1:1 monthly net metering for systems up to 25 kW. Excess credits paid out at avoided cost rate at annual true-up. No REP shopping needed.
When Texas buyback rates drop to $0.03–0.07/kWh, the smart play is maximizing self-consumption rather than exporting. Propel financing makes solar affordable with $0 down — a third-party owner installs FEOC-compliant Silfab 440W panels and claims the 40% Section 48E ITC, passing savings to you as a fixed monthly payment. An 8 kW system at $2.90/W ($23,200) becomes ~$13,920 effective cost at ~$117/month. 8.99% APR, 25-year term, 660 FICO minimum. The §48E begin-construction window closed July 4, 2026; new starts are placed in service by Dec 31, 2027.
See Propel Financing DetailsComplete guide to how buyback works in ERCOT Texas
In-depth REP reviews with pros, cons, and ratings
How deregulation affects solar in every TDU territory
VPP model, Powerwall economics, and Tesla Electric plan
Battery comparison for buyback optimization
Custom system design for your home and TDU territory
We design and install your system for maximum production, then help you choose the REP plan that turns every exported kWh into the highest possible credit. The right REP adds $300–$500/year to your solar investment.