What is a Clean Energy Credit?
It’s a credit applied to your bill for the excess renewable energy your home produces that flows back out to the grid. It can offset up to 100% of your monthly energy charges (excluding base charge, TDU charges, and all other taxes and fees).
Who is eligible to earn Clean Energy Credits?
Customers with renewable generation systems like solar panels or wind turbines installed on their property to power their homes. For example, gas powered generators are not eligible since they are not renewable energy sources.
How can I start receiving Clean Energy Credits on my monthly bill?
Enroll on TXU Energy Home Solar Buyback at txu.com/buyback or by calling 844-436-6428. You’ll also need to sign an Interconnection Agreement with your local Transmission & Distribution Utility (TDU). The TDU will inspect your system and update your meter to track the excess energy that flows back out to the grid. Once the TDU gives you permission to operate your system, it may take up to three full billing cycles before you’ll start earning a Clean Energy Credit on your bill for excess energy generated and sent back out to the grid. In the meantime, enjoy using 100% renewable energy.
What is an Interconnection Agreement? How do I get one?
It’s a document created by your TDU that informs them you’re installing or have solar panels or wind turbines at your home and want to connect to the electricity grid. Your TDU will inspect your system and update your smart meter to track the excess energy that flows back out to the grid.
If you’re not sure how to contact your TDU, you can visit txu.com/help-center/power-outage to find your TDU’s contact information. Here are links to their Interconnection Agreements:
Oncor ׀ CenterPoint ׀ AEP North and AEP Central ׀ TNMP
How much will TXU Energy pay for the excess energy I generate and send back out to the grid? Do you cap the credits?
Check your TXU Energy Home Solar Buyback Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for specific Clean Energy Credit pricing and terms and conditions. With our TXU Energy Home Solar Buyback plans, your Clean Energy Credit can offset up to 100% of your energy charge each month (excluding base charge, TDU charges and all other taxes and fees).
What happens if I generate enough excess energy to offset more than 100% of my monthly Energy Charge?
Any excess energy (energy you produce but don’t need) you generated over the 100% cap is ineligible for earning a Clean Energy Credit and will not carry over to the next billing cycle.
I have a renewable energy system at my home. Why am I not getting credits for the excess energy I’m putting back on the grid?
Here are some common reasons this might occur:
- You may not have completed the enrollment steps. To do this, sign up on TXU Energy Home Solar Buyback and reach out to your local TDU to verify two things: Completion of your Interconnection Agreement and that they’ve updated your meter to measure the excess energy that flows back out to the grid
- Once you’re eligible, it can take up to three full billing cycles for your bill to reflect the Clean Energy Credit you earned that month.
- It’s also possible that your home consumed 100% of the energy your system produced during the month. Therefore, you did not have any excess energy eligible for a Clean Energy Credit.
- There could be a technical issue in which case you can contact your TDU and solar installer to have your equipment checked for proper working conditions.
How do you determine how much excess energy my system’s generated?
Your excess renewable energy is sent back out to the grid and is tracked by your electricity meter as outflow. Your electricity meter tracks both inflow (energy you need from the grid) and outflow. Your TDU sends us your monthly readings from your electricity meter, and that is what we use to bill you.
Does my new electricity meter measure all power generated by my renewable energy system?
No, these meters only measure the electricity you consume from the grid and the excess energy that flows back out to the grid. Your solar panel monitoring systems track all power produced by your solar panels – these are separate from your electricity meter.
Will I earn a Clean Energy Credit for 100% of the energy I produce?
No, the energy you produce first flows into your home reducing your need for electricity from the grid and lowering your TXU Energy electricity bill. If you don’t have home battery storage installed, any energy you produced that your home doesn’t use will flow back out to the grid as excess energy. You earn a Clean Energy Credit on your monthly bill for the excess energy you sent back out to the grid, offsetting up to 100% of your energy charges (excluding base charge, TDU charges, and all other taxes and fees).
Where does my excess energy that I send back out to the grid go?
Your excess energy that flows back out to the grid will be used by a nearby home or business. In doing so, you’re helping to power your neighborhood with clean energy.
Can I have this plan if I do not have solar panels or wind turbines on my home?
Yes. Although this plan is designed specifically to reward customers who generate excess renewable energy that flows back out to the grid, anyone is eligible to enroll. You will just not be eligible to receive a Clean Energy Credit on your bill if you don’t have solar panels or wind turbines installed at your home.