How does the program work?
Who is SolarCity?
Who is eligible to participate in the TXU Energy Solar Program?
What other programs does TXU Energy offer for customers who participate in the TXU Energy Solar Program?
Does the program utilize tax credits and solar incentives?
How do the financial incentives work?
How long will it take to install my system after I sign up?

How Solar Works

Will solar work on my home?
Will I need to adapt my home to run on solar power?
What size solar system do I need?
What maintenance is required?
Do I need a battery back-up system?
What happens at night, or when the weather turns cloudy?
Do I need to change the way I consume electricity?
What happens if there is a black out?
How long will a solar system last?

Installation Process

Is it difficult to switch over to solar power?
What kinds of permits are needed to meet local building codes?
What if my roof needs repairs after I've installed solar panels?

SolarLease

What are my options at the end of the SolarLease?
What if I move to a new home before the end of the SolarLease?
A SolarLease includes full service. What is included?
How does the Performance Guarantee work?

About TXU Energy Solar Program

How does the program work?
The TXU Energy Solar Program allows North Texas homeowners to install a home solar system in two ways: 1. Purchase the system directly from our trusted provider, SolarCity, 2. Lease the system from SolarCity with a SolarLease.

If you enroll in the SolarLease, SolarCity will design your system, install it, and provide all necessary maintenance and installation services over the life of the lease. You can monitor the system’s performance online using the SolarGuard monitoring system.

If you purchase a system, SolarCity will design the system to meet your needs and install it for you. They will also provide you with SolarGuard monitoring service, so they can alert you if the system ever fails to perform. Purchased systems come with 5 years monitoring service and a 10 year extended warranty and repair service with the option to extend all services beyond the term for a nominal fee.

The SolarLease program is only available in Texas through TXU Energy. The lease or purchase of a solar system through the TXU Energy Solar Program is independent from the customer's TXU Energy electricity plan. SolarLease and solar services are provided and administered by SolarCity Corporation.

Back to Top

Who is SolarCity?
After thoroughly evaluating the solar market, TXU Energy has chosen to partner with SolarCity to offer solar systems to Texas consumers. SolarCity has over ,10,000 solar customers and currently serves more than 1,500 communities in Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Maryland and Oregon. SolarCity is a national leader in solar power system design, financing, installation, monitoring and related services. SolarCity was founded with the mission to help millions of homeowners and businesses adopt solar power, protect themselves from rising electricity costs and utilize a renewable energy resource to help protect the environment.

Who is eligible to participate in the TXU Energy Solar Program?
In order to be eligible for either a SolarLease or solar system purchase, homeowners must reside in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area in the area served by Oncor. They must own a free-standing single-family residence, and the home must have sufficient south-facing roof space in good condition to support a solar system. In addition, to be eligible for the SolarLease, customers must have a broadband Internet connection to support the associated SolarGuard monitoring system.

What other programs does TXU Energy offer for customers who participate in the TXU Energy Solar Program?
There are many advantages to being a TXU Energy customer on this solar program. TXU Energy has attractive solar friendly offerings that will help customers maximize the benefits of their system. These include:
Attractive rates to buy surplus power produced by the residential solar generation system that is not consumed in the home (rates are currently 7.5¢/kwh );
Security of fixed rate pricing and predictability from our no variable rate plans policy; o TXU Energy energy-efficiency programs, like the Brighten iThermostatSM, that can enhance the savings a customer can achieve through solar.
For those who have a new advanced meter from Oncor, the opportunity to obtain time-of-use pricing from TXU Energy to complement their solar system.

Does the program utilize tax credits and solar incentives?
Absolutely. If you participate in the SolarLease program, you will benefit from available tax credits and solar incentives by paying a lower rate for your system. The lower payment is possible because SolarCity can receive federal tax credits and pass along the savings to customers. The SolarLease program allows homeowners to take advantage of the available solar incentives with no administrative burden. This program can be offered only as long as tax credits or rebates are available.

If you purchase a solar system from SolarCity, you can become eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% off the price you paid for the system. And TXU Energy customers also can benefit from TXU Energy’s distributed renewable generation (DRG) program. TXU Energy will purchase any surplus electricity generated by your solar system.

How do the financial incentives work?
The program makes use of federal tax credits which reduce the cost of the solar system to the homeowner – either through a lower lease payment or lower purchased cost to the homeowner.

If you participate in the SolarLease program, you will benefit from available tax credits and solar incentives by paying a lower rate for your system. The lower payment is possible because SolarCity can receive federal tax credits and pass along the savings to customers.

Homeowners who purchase a solar system can obtain the federal tax credit directly.

How long will it take to install my solar system?
The first step is to request a free solar consultation and quote. Once you decide to install a system, SolarCity will conduct a site audit, design your system, and request a building permit. Once the building permit is received, SolarCity will install the solar system. A typical home solar system takes only 2 – 5 days to actually install.

Once the system is installed, it must be inspected by local building authorities and by your transmission and distribution service provider. Each step in the process takes several weeks, and the entire process may take up to about four months.

How Solar Works

Will solar work on my home?
We hope so! The two biggest factors are the amount of sunlight you get throughout the day and the amount of open roof space. SolarCity can give you a quick assessment by looking at satellite photos of your property.

If your roof looks good, SolarCity will schedule a follow-up free solar consultation where one of our experts will survey your site to evaluate if a solar power system will fit with your architecture and meet your energy needs.

Will I need to adapt my home to run on solar power?
No. Solar power electric systems fit seamlessly into your home. You won't have to buy new appliances or change your electrical outlets; everything will work just the same as it did before. You should experience no practical changes except for one: you won't have to pay a big electrical bill every month!

What size solar system do I need?
Every home is different, so the size of your system will depend on your energy needs, roof space and solar goals. Residential solar systems are typically 3-10 kW, and larger systems can offset a greater portion of your current electricity usage. TXU Energy’s solar provider, SolarCity, will custom design a system to fit your home and meet your specific needs.

What maintenance is required?
Your solar energy system requires very little maintenance, largely because it has no moving parts. All your system requires is minimal shade, occasional cleaning and inspection. We suggest that you keep an eye on trees that may shade your system and keep them trimmed.

Using SolarGuard—the SolarCity service team proactively monitors your system output to ensure that your system is performing as promised. In the unlikely event that your system underperforms, SolarCity will alert you and help to remedy the situation. If you have a SolarLease, SolarCity will provide all necessary repairs and maintenance required to keep the system performing as designed, and SolarCity even guarantees the system performance.

Do I need a battery back-up system?
No. Battery systems are expensive and are not recommended. All SolarCity solar systems are connected to the electricity grid so you always have access to a power source 24 hours a day. You never have to worry about “running out” of power.

What happens at night, or when the weather turns cloudy?
Since the amount of power your solar system generates is a direct result of sunlight, it will produce slightly less energy when the weather is cloudy. It will continue to produce electricity during cloudy conditions. Your system will not produce any energy at night. Your SolarCity power system will be interconnected to your local electricity grid, so that you can automatically begin to draw power from the grid whenever you need it. You won't experience any power interruptions—the switch between solar system power and the electricity grid happens seamlessly, with no effort on your part.

Do I need to change the way that I consume electricity?
No. You can continue to use all the same electrical appliances and equipment that you use today. If your total energy consumption is greater than the amount produced from the solar system, your home will draw electricity from both the solar system and the electricity grid. You will have no interruptions in power, and there is no need to alter how electricity is used at your home.

TXU Energy recommends you continue to do all you can to use electricity wisely and efficiently. Since a solar system will rarely supply all your electricity needs, it will still save you money to conserve electricity when you can.

What happens if there is a black out?
In the event of a black out, your system is designed to turn off. This is a safety requirement by the transmission and distribution service provider so their technicians can safely repair downed electrical lines.

How long will a solar system last?
Most of the parts on your solar system, such as solar panels, carry manufacturer's warranties of 25 years; other parts, such as inverters, carry 10-year warranties.

If you have a SolarLease, then SolarCity will pay to replace any worn out or defective components to ensure that your system is always performing as designed. SolarCity will monitor your system using the SolarGuard monitoring system to ensure it is performing properly. If it is not, they will contact you to let you know they need to service the system.

Purchased systems come with 5 years monitoring service and a 10 year extended warranty and repair service.

Installation Process

Is it difficult to switch over to solar power?
No. SolarCity makes it easy to switch to solar. They will get your solar system up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible so you can start saving money and using clean energy. You won't experience any changes inside your home.

What kind of permits are needed to meet local building codes?
As part of SolarCity’s comprehensive service, SolarCity will obtain all building permits and design your system to meet your local building codes. They will arrange the electrical, building, and transmission and distribution service provider inspections and be on-site to make sure that everything is up to code. SolarCity takes care of your project every step of the way.

We suggest you check with your homeowner’s association for requirements.

What if my roof needs repairs after I've installed solar panels?
Ideally, you should install solar panels on a roof that is in good condition. When a SolarCity site auditor comes out to inspect your building prior to installation, he or she will check to make sure that your roof is suitable for a solar installation.

Once the solar panels are installed, they actually help to protect your roof from the elements. If you should ever need to make repairs on the roof, the solar panels will need to be removed and re-installed. SolarCity offers this service for a reasonable fee. If the solar panels themselves are damaged for any reason (other than gross negligence or intentional damage on your part) and you have a SolarLease, then SolarCity’s insurance will cover any necessary repairs or replacement. If you purchased your system instead of enrolling in a SolarLease, then you are responsible for providing any insurance for loss or damage.

SolarLease

What are my options at the end of the SolarLease?
A SolarLease is a very flexible way to go solar. When your solar lease ends, you have several good options to choose from:
You can upgrade to a new system with the latest solar technology under a new lease.
You can also extend your existing lease in five year increments.
You can ask SolarCity to remove your system at no cost to you.

What if I move to a new home before the end my SolarLease?
The great thing solar homes is that they typically have a higher resale value, because of the attractiveness of solar and the lower electricity costs. Since the lease is paid upfront, you can transfer the lease to the new homeowners, and adjust your home’s asking price to account for the benefits of using the solar system.

A SolarLease includes full service. What is included?
Your free SolarGuard monitoring service will alert you and SolarCity of any changes in performance. If SolarCity sees a problem, they will give you a call to help diagnose the problem and dispatch a repair team to fix it if needed.
Every SolarLease includes an extended warranty on workmanship and hardware through the end of your lease.
SolarCity will repair or replace broken components at no cost to you. For instance, your inverter will likely need to be replaced around year 12.
SolarCity’s system coverage protects against damage or theft. Solar performance is guaranteed. If your system doesn't produce as much electricity as SolarCity promises they will pay you back.

How does the Performance Guarantee work?
SolarCity offers a performance guarantee that your system will produce as much electricity as they promise, or they will pay you back. This takes into account normal weather variation and solar panel performance over time. The amount of electricity SolarCity promises to deliver is stated in your contract. We track your system performance through our SolarGuard monitoring service.

*A solar power station is customized for your home, so savings and lease terms vary based on system size, government rebates, the rate you pay for retail electricity and the rate you receive from your retail electric provider for any surplus generation. 20-year prepaid lease term applies, payment due after delivery of materials. No security deposit required. This is a limited time offer. SolarLease is not available in all areas, may require local permits or approvals and is subject to change or cancellation without notice prior to customer acceptance. Additional eligibility requirements, terms and conditions apply. Services provided by SolarCity Corporation. TX TDLR 27006. © SolarCity. All rights reserved. The lease or purchase of a solar system through the TXU Energy solar program is independent from the customer's TXU Energy electricity plan. REP #10004.