Understanding Net Metering in Texas

One of the biggest misconceptions about solar in Texas is that every utility company automatically pays you for your extra energy. In reality, Texas has a deregulated energy market, which means you have options — but you also have to choose carefully.

What is Net Metering?

Net metering, or "solar buyback," is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. Use more power than you produce? You pay the utility. Produce more than you use? Potentially, the utility pays you.

The Deregulated Market Difference

In many states, net metering is mandated by law. In most of Texas (Oncor, CenterPoint service areas), Retail Electric Providers (REPs) are not required to offer buyback plans. This has led to a variety of plan structures:

• 1-to-1 Buyback: Credits you at the same rate you pay for electricity. (Rare but valuable.)
• Real-Time Wholesale Rate: Credits you based on the fluctuating wholesale cost of power.
• Capped Credits: Credits roll over month-to-month but cannot be cashed out.

Choosing the Right Plan

If you have a battery, you might prioritize a plan with free nights to charge your battery from the grid. If you have a large system, you want uncapped credits. We help you navigate these choices so your solar investment works as hard as possible.

Key Questions to Ask Your REP

• Do you offer a solar buyback or net metering plan?
• What rate do you pay for excess energy sent to the grid?
• Are credits capped or can they roll over indefinitely?
• Is there a monthly fee for having a bi-directional meter?

Net Metering for Wise County, Parker County, Jack County, and Montague County

Homeowners throughout North Texas — including Decatur, Bridgeport, Weatherford, Springtown, Bowie, Jacksboro, and surrounding rural communities — are mostly served by Oncor's distribution network. That means your physical meter upgrade is handled by Oncor, but your solar buyback credits are set entirely by your Retail Electric Provider.

This is where working with a knowledgeable local solar company makes a real financial difference. N-Tech Energy Solutions reviews the buyback plans available in your specific zip code as part of every free consultation. We compare credit rates, monthly base charges, rollover policies, and contract terms so you can make an informed decision before you sign anything with either a solar company or an electricity provider.

The difference between a strong buyback plan and a weak one can easily be $300–$500 per year on a typical North Texas solar system. Over a 25-year panel life, that adds up to $7,500 or more in missed savings. Getting this right from the start is one of the most important steps in your solar journey — and it costs you nothing to talk through it with us. Reach out at (214) 267-9372 or customerexperience@n-tech-es.com to get started.

Common Mistakes North Texas Homeowners Make with Net Metering

• Signing a new electricity contract without checking if it includes a solar buyback plan.
• Choosing a plan with monthly credit caps that limit savings during peak summer production months.
• Failing to switch providers before the solar system goes live, missing the best buyback window.
• Not realizing that a plan's advertised rate per kWh may not apply to exported energy — the buyback rate is often different and lower.