Texas Net Metering Rates 2026
Texas solar exports are credited under avoided-cost buyback, worth roughly ~25–50% of retailof the retail electricity rate. Here's exactly how it works, which utilities offer it, and what it means for your payback.
How Net Metering Works in Texas
When your panels produce more electricity than your home is using, the surplus flows back onto the grid and your meter records the export. Texas utilities credit those exported kilowatt-hours at the utility's wholesale avoided-cost rate, well below retail. You draw that credit back down at night or on cloudy days, so you only pay for your net consumption across the billing cycle.
Because Texas lacks a full retail-rate mandate, the value you capture depends heavily on your utility's specific buyback tariff — read your rate schedule carefully before sizing a system.
What It's Worth: ~25–50% of retail of Retail
The single biggest driver of solar payback is how much your utility pays for exported energy. Texas's avoided-cost crediting pays well below retail, which lengthens payback and makes self-consumption (and batteries) more important.
The average TX homeowner reaches payback in 8.3 years and nets $38,600 over 25 years with these rules in effect.
Texas Utilities Offering Net Metering
The major utilities operating in Texas are Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas. Net metering terms — true-up dates, monthly fees, and credit carryover — vary by provider, so confirm the current tariff with your specific utility before signing an installation contract.
Texas Net Metering FAQ
What will net metering save you in Texas?
Our calculator factors Texas's avoided-cost buyback into your payback and 25-year savings — using your actual electric bill.