Texas Solar Buyback Plans | Earn Credits for Excess Energy

Solar buyback plans are designed for homes with solar panels that may produce more electricity than the household needs at a given time. If you live in a deregulated area of Texas, you have the power to choose an electricity provider that rewards you for your renewable energy contribution.

Here's the step-by-step process of how your home solar system interacts with the Texas grid and how you earn credits.

Your solar panels generate electricity. When the sun shines on your roof, your system produces electricity for your home. The amount of electricity generated depends on the size of your system, the weather and the time of day.

Your home uses solar energy first. When your panels are producing energy, your home uses that electricity before drawing any additional energy from the grid. This direct usage is the primary way your solar panels help you save money on monthly expenses. Every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you generate and consume is one you don't have to purchase.

Excess solar energy can power your home, charge a battery, or be sent to the grid. During peak sunlight hours, your panels may produce more energy than your home uses. If you have a battery, that extra energy may be stored for later use, depending on your system settings and available battery capacity. Any remaining excess electricity can be sent through your bi-directional meter to the Texas grid for others to use.

You earn automatic Buyback Credits. This is where a solar buyback program steps in. TXU Energy automatically applies Buyback Credits to your bill after receiving the applicable meter read from your Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) detailing your excess energy.¹ If you have a new solar installation, your first meter read may take up to three full billing cycles.

Eligible unused credits can roll over on certain plans. On some solar buyback plans, if you don't use all your eligible Buyback Credits in one month, you don't lose them. They can be banked and automatically applied to future eligible Energy Charges subject to the terms in the plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL).2

Compare TXU Energy Solar Buyback Plans

Every home uses electricity differently. Some homes boast massive solar arrays that consistently overproduce while others have smaller systems that only offset a portion of their daily usage. Because of these distinct differences, TXU Energy offers solar electricity plans tailored for customers who value flexibility, a higher buyback rate or a lower rate for electricity used from the grid.

Solar Buyback System Flex

This is an incredibly strong option if you value ultimate flexibility and want our best buyback rate. The Solar Buyback System Flex plan is a variable-rate plan featuring no long-term contract. You earn automatic bill credits for your excess energy without feeling tied down.

Solar Buyback Plus

If your rooftop solar panels frequently produce excess energy, the Solar Buyback Plus plan is designed for you. This plan pays a high buyback rate for your excess electricity while offering the peace of mind that comes with price protection all year long. Knowing your rates are protected helps create predictable billing so you can budget with confidence.

Solar Buyback Saver

Not every solar panel system covers 100% of a home's electricity needs. If your family typically needs more electricity from the grid—perhaps due to a smaller solar array, heavy air conditioning use in the summer or increased usage at night—the Solar Buyback Saver plan is an excellent fit. You enjoy a lower rate for the electricity you need from the grid while still earning automatic bill credits for excess solar energy.

Our Best Buyback Rate

Solar Buyback System Flex

Earn automatic bill credits for your excess energy with no long-term contract.

  • Our best buyback rate
  • Variable plan with no long-term contract
  • Rollover credits that don’t expire while enrolled on an eligible plan2
  • A strong option if you want solar buyback flexibility

Earn More in Bill Credits

Solar Buyback Plus

Get paid a high buyback rate for your excess energy and earn automatic bill credits.

  • High buyback rate
  • Price protection all year long
  • Rollover credits that don’t expire while enrolled on an eligible plan2
  • A strong option if your solar panels often produce excess energy

Lower Energy Rate

Solar Buyback Saver

Enjoy a lower rate for the electricity you need from the grid while earning automatic bill credits for excess solar energy.

  • Lower energy rate
  • Price protection all year long
  • Rollover credits that don’t expire while enrolled on an eligible plan2
  • A strong option if you typically need more electricity from the grid

What Your Solar Buyback Credits Can Cover

A common question among new solar owners is why their electricity bill is still high after installing panels. Understanding exactly how buyback credits are applied is the key to managing your expectations and your budget

Buyback Credits can offset up to 100% of your monthly energy charges.¹ The energy charge is the portion of your bill that covers the actual electricity you consumed from the grid. However, solar buyback credits do not necessarily eliminate your entire electricity bill.

Even with a robust solar energy system, you may still see charges on your monthly statement for:

  • Your plan’s monthly base charge
  • TDU delivery charges for using poles and wires to receive electricity from the grid
  • Applicable taxes
  • Miscellaneous fees

TDU delivery charges are mandated by your local utility company (such as Oncor or CenterPoint) to maintain the physical grid infrastructure. Because your home remains connected to the grid to draw power at night or during cloudy days, these delivery charges still apply to the electricity you import.

To ensure complete transparency, your Electricity Facts Label (EFL) explains the specific terms, limits and charges for your chosen solar buyback plan.

Your Buyback Bank: Maximizing Unused Credits

Depending on the season, your solar panel system might generate significantly more excess energy than usual. During mild Texas spring and fall months when your air conditioner gets a break, you might accumulate a surplus of credits.

Each month, you'll receive a personalized summary showing the buyback credits you earned and how much of your eligible banked credits were applied to your bill.

Your Buyback Bank is the balance of eligible unused buyback credits that can be carried forward and applied automatically to future eligible energy charges.² Your EFL explains the maximum amount of credits that may be banked depending on your specific plan.

It's important to understand a few straightforward rules about your banked credits:

  • They are automatically applied to future eligible energy charges
  • They may be retained while you're enrolled in an eligible TXU Energy solar buyback plan
  • They have no cash, credit or other redemption value
  • They're non-transferable

How to Choose the Best Electricity Plan for Solar Panels

Deciding which solar energy plan fits your home involves a quick review of your household habits and system capabilities. A TXU Energy solar buyback plan may be a perfect fit if your home has solar panels and your system sometimes produces more energy than your home uses.

When comparing the best solar buyback plans in Texas, consider the following to find your ideal match:

Evaluate your typical excess energy. Look at your system monitoring app to see how much electricity you export to the grid on an average day. If you export a massive amount of excess generation, prioritizing a plan with a higher buyback rate makes the most financial sense.

Calculate your grid dependency. Consider how much electricity your home still needs from the grid. If you consume a lot of energy at night or have a smaller rooftop system, you'll pull heavily from the grid. Finding a plan with a lower energy rate for imported electricity will likely offer better overall value than chasing a high buyback rate.

Decide on contract preferences. Determine whether you prefer a variable plan with no long-term contract or whether you want price protection throughout the year. Variable plans offer flexibility and the freedom to change, while fixed-rate plans offer stability and predictability.

Review the fine print. Always read your plan’s EFL. This document ensures you understand exactly how your credits are calculated and applied.

Go Solar for as Little as $0 Down

If you’re researching solar electricity plans but haven’t installed panels, going solar may be easier than you think. Producing your own renewable energy at home reduces your reliance on the grid and opens up incredible potential savings. We can help you explore options to produce your own energy at home. Get a free solar quote today and take the first step toward energy independence.

Start Earning Credits for Your Excess Solar Energy

You deserve an electricity provider that makes managing your home energy effortless and rewarding. Explore TXU Energy solar buyback plans and choose an option that works for your home and rooftop solar system.

Or call 844-436-6428 to speak directly with a friendly solar buyback specialist who can help you find the perfect fit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Buyback Plans

  • Do TXU Energy’s solar buyback plans allow me to roll over unused credits?
    Yes. Eligible unused buyback credits may be banked and automatically applied to future eligible energy charges up to the limit described in your Electricity Facts Label.2
  • Do my banked credits expire?
    Banked credits can be retained while you remain enrolled in an eligible TXU Energy solar buyback plan. Review your Electricity Facts Label for the applicable plan terms and credit limits.2
  • Will I earn a buyback credit for 100% of the energy my solar panels produce? 
    Your home uses the energy your solar panels produce first. Buyback credits apply to eligible excess energy sent to the grid rather than all energy your system generates.
  • How do you determine how much excess energy my system generated?

    TXU Energy applies buyback credits after receiving a meter read from your TDU for your excess energy. Your monthly electricity bill includes a personalized summary of the credits earned and any eligible banked credits applied.

  • Will I have an electricity bill after I install solar panels?
    Yes, you may still receive an electricity bill. Buyback credits can offset up to 100% of your monthly energy charges, but your bill may also include your plan’s monthly base charge, TDU delivery charges, taxes and other applicable fees.1
  • When will Buyback Credits appear on my bill?
    Buyback Credits are automatically applied when TXU Energy receives a meter read from your TDU for your excess energy. For a new solar installation, the first meter read may take up to three full billing cycles.1
  • Can solar buyback credits be redeemed for cash?
    No. Banked credits have no cash, credit or other redemption value and are non-transferable.2
  • How can I compare solar buyback plans in Texas?
    Compare the plan’s buyback credit terms, energy charges, contract structure, monthly base charge, rollover provisions and other details listed in the Electricity Facts Label. Choose a plan that matches your home’s solar production and how much electricity you expect to use from the grid.

1 Buyback Credits can offset up to 100% of your Energy Charges each month, excluding base charge, TDU charges, and all other taxes and fees. Buyback Credits will be automatically applied to your monthly bill when TXU Energy receives a meter read from your TDU for your Excess Energy. For a new installation, the first meter read may take up to three full billing cycles.

2 Unused credits will be banked, up to a certain amount as described in your Electricity Facts Label, and automatically applied to future bills to offset any remaining Energy Charges. You may keep your banked credits while enrolled on an eligible TXU Energy solar buyback plan. Banked credits have no cash, credit, or other redemption value and are non-transferable.