Best solar buyback plans in Texas (2026)
In deregulated Texas, the retail plan you pick — not how sunny it is — is the biggest lever on your solar payback. Here's how TXU, Chariot, Gexa and net-billing plans really compare, and how to choose one that pays you fairly.
For most Dallas–Fort Worth homeowners, a retail-match (≈1:1) buyback plan such as TXU Solar Buyback delivers the most value — it credits exported solar at roughly the same rate you pay for power, with no monthly credit cap. Chariot Energy and Gexa offer competitive 1:1 options too. Avoid low net-billing plans unless you have a battery and export very little: the gap between the best and worst plan is about $400–$600 a year, or $10,000+ over the system's life.
What is a solar buyback plan?
A solar buyback plan (sometimes called a solar billing or net-metering plan) is a retail electricity plan that pays or credits you for the surplus solar power your home sends back to the grid. When your panels make more than you're using — midday, when no one's home — that extra power flows out to the grid, and your buyback plan decides what it's worth.
Here's what makes Texas different: there is no statewide net-metering law. Because the market is deregulated, your transmission utility (in DFW that's Oncor) delivers the power, but you choose your retail electricity provider and plan. Each provider sets its own export credit — and they vary wildly. That single choice quietly determines a huge share of your lifetime solar savings.
This guide is for Oncor / DFW
Buyback plans and rates vary by utility territory. The plans below apply to Oncor (Dallas–Fort Worth and much of North Texas). CenterPoint (Houston) and AEP (Corpus, Abilene) have their own provider line-ups.
The three types of buyback plan
Strip away the marketing names and nearly every Texas solar plan falls into one of three buckets. Knowing which is which is 80% of the decision.
Retail match (≈1:1)
Credits exports at essentially the same rate you pay for electricity. The gold standard — your surplus is worth full price. Best for most homeowners.
Standard buyback
Credits exports at a fixed rate that's lower than what you pay — often 6–10¢/kWh. Workable, but you lose value on every exported kWh.
Net billing / avoided cost
Credits exports at a low wholesale-style rate (often 3–5¢/kWh). Only makes sense if a battery lets you self-consume almost everything.
TXU vs. Chariot vs. Gexa: side by side
These are the buyback providers DFW homeowners ask about most. Rates move with the market, so treat the figures below as representative 2026 ranges and always confirm the current Electricity Facts Label (EFL) before you sign.
| Provider & plan | Type | Export credit | Credit cap | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TXU Solar BuybackHome Solar Buyback | Retail match | ≈ 1:1 | No monthly cap | Most DFW homeowners |
| Chariot EnergyRise / GridEdge | Retail match | ≈ 1:1 | Up to monthly usage | Green-focused buyers |
| Gexa EnergyGexa Solar | Retail match | ≈ 1:1 | Up to monthly usage | Competitive base rates |
| Rhythm / othersVarious solar plans | Standard | 6–10¢/kWh | Varies | Lower base energy rate |
| Bare avoided-costNet-billing style | Net billing | 3–5¢/kWh | n/a | Battery owners only |
Representative 2026 terms for Oncor territory. "1:1" means exported kWh are credited at roughly your all-in energy rate. Confirm the current EFL — caps, base rates, and minimum-usage fees change frequently.
The $500-a-year difference, in real numbers
Picture a typical DFW home with a 9 kW system producing about 13,000 kWh a year and exporting roughly 45% of it — about 5,850 kWh sent to the grid. Here's what that surplus is worth under each plan type:
Over 25 years, that's $10,000–$15,000
The same panels, the same sun, the same roof — but the wrong plan can erase a decade of savings. This is why we treat buyback choice as the most important decision after picking a reputable installer.
The catches to watch for
"1:1 buyback" on a landing page doesn't always mean what you'd hope. Before you switch providers, read the EFL for these five traps:
- Monthly net cap. Some plans only credit exports up to what you consume that month — extra summer production simply vanishes.
- Higher base energy rate. A few 1:1 plans charge a premium per kWh you buy, which can wipe out the export benefit if you don't export much.
- Credits expire. Banked credits may zero out monthly or annually instead of rolling forward to cover winter.
- Minimum-usage fees. Solar homes use little grid power, so plans with minimum-usage charges can quietly penalize you.
- Short intro terms. A great rate for 12 months can roll to a poor month-to-month rate — set a reminder to re-shop.
How to choose your buyback plan
- Estimate your export share. No battery and away during the day? You'll export a lot — prioritize a true retail-match plan.
- Match plan type to your setup. Battery owners who self-consume most production can tolerate a lower export rate in exchange for a cheaper base energy rate.
- Read the EFL, not the ad. Confirm the export credit, any cap, the base rate, and whether credits roll over.
- Model it on your real usage. A good installer will plug your actual production and consumption into each plan — make them show the math.
- Re-shop at renewal. Texas plans expire; set a calendar reminder so you don't roll onto a bad month-to-month rate.
Let an installer model it for you
The DFW installers we feature will analyze your actual energy bill and show how each buyback plan changes your payback — before you commit. Upload a recent bill with your quote request for an accurate comparison.
Buyback plan FAQ
What is a solar buyback plan?
Is TXU Solar Buyback really the best?
Do I need a specific plan to qualify for solar?
Can I switch buyback plans later?
See which buyback plan fits your home
Upload a recent energy bill and the DFW installers we feature will model your real export value across plans — and quote your system accurately.
Call (214) 555-0142