Net Metering in Texas: Axia + Chariot Energy
Unlike California and many other states, Texas does not have a net metering policy on the state level, but residents still have options for deriving value from surplus energy generation. Many utility providers in the state credit solar-owning customers for producing energy with their solar panels. With net metering, solar-energized homes in Texas can earn credits toward their utility bill that may offset up to 100% of their electricity expenses each month. In other words, the utility provider buys back excess energy to help you maximize your savings.
The solar PV systems we sell in Texas’s deregulated energy market are all grid-tied, which means Texas residents who generate more energy than they consume can sell it back to companies like our partner, Chariot Energy, and when the sun isn’t shining, they can then draw power from the grid. Excess energy is then carried over to the next month and applied as a credit. Chariot customers will not pay utility charges on the energy their panels produce.
Chariot’s solar buyback plans are some of the best for Texas rooftop solar customers because:
- They offer a simple three-step enrollment process
- You can lock in a low rate up to 90 days in advance
- The credits you accrue can apply to the entire bill for the next month, including energy charges, utility charges, and tax.
How You Are Credited
Utility providers evaluate the energy your home uses from the grid and compare it to the amount your solar panels send to the grid. They use this information to value your credits at the energy cost rate. According to Texas energy data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average residential rate of electricity is around 14.77 cents per kilowatt hour as of January 2023. During peak periods of demand, this can be more depending on where you live. Your energy credit may be able to roll over to the next month if it is worth more than your total energy charges.