Dallas–Fort Worth (Oncor) Solar & Battery Math: Free Nights Arbitrage vs. REP Buyback Traps
Cities Covered: Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Arlington, Frisco, McKinney, Irving, Denton, Garland
In the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, Oncor charges a non-bypassable ~5.1¢/kWh TDU delivery fee on every kWh imported from the grid, and most Texas Retail Electric Providers (REPs) now cap exports at Real-Time Wholesale (~2.5¢/kWh). Pairing solar with a 14.3kWh LFP battery on a 'Free Nights' plan eliminates your electric bill AND protects against ERCOT grid emergencies.
Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Solar & Battery Payback Comparison (2026)
| Configuration | Upfront Net Cost | Year-1 Savings | Payback | 2026 Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Only (No Battery) | $24,200 | $1,805 / yr | 13.4 Years | 🔴 Eroded by ~5.1¢/kWh Oncor TDU fee & RTW export caps |
| Turnkey Installer Solar + Battery | $38,000 | $3,720 / yr | 10.2 Years | 🟡 High DFW sales commission & lender fee markup |
| Solar + Direct Battery (Save $10k+ w/ EG4 / EcoFlow) | $15,400 (Hardware + Local Elec.) | $3,350 / yr | ⚡ 4.6 Years | 🟢 Near-$0 Bill on Free Nights + ERCOT Blackout Shield |
⚡ 2026 TARIFFS📊 Full 2026 Oncor Electric Delivery (ERCOT Deregulated REPs) Rate Schedule, TOU Windows & Fixed ChargesDeregulated REP Buyback / RTW / Free Nights + Oncor TDU · Peak: $0.16 – $0.28 / kWh · Off-Peak: $0.00 / kWh (9pm–7am on Free Nights Plans) or ~$0.14/kWh
Without a battery in Oncor territory, you export midday solar for 2.5¢–9¢/kWh and buy back evening power for 16¢–21¢/kWh (including Oncor's 5.1¢/kWh TDU fee). With a 14.3kWh–28.6kWh battery + hybrid inverter on a Texas 'Free Nights' plan (9:00 PM – 7:00 AM free electricity), solar + battery runs your DFW home 100% off-grid from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and you recharge both your battery bank and EV for $0.00 every night!
| Primary Solar Rate Schedule | Deregulated REP Buyback / RTW / Free Nights + Oncor TDU |
|---|---|
| 2026 On-Peak Tariff Rate | $0.16 – $0.28 / kWh |
| Part-Peak / Shoulder Rate | $0.15 – $0.18 / kWh (Standard Fixed REP + ~5.1¢/kWh Oncor TDU) |
| Off-Peak / Super Off-Peak Rate | $0.00 / kWh (9pm–7am on Free Nights Plans) or ~$0.14/kWh |
| Fixed Monthly Customer Charge | $4.23 / mo Oncor TDU Base + $9.95–$14.95/mo REP Base Charge |
| 2026 Grid Export Credit Rule | No 1:1 TDU credit: exported kWh lose ~5.1¢/kWh Oncor delivery fee or get paid ~2.5¢/kWh RTW wholesale |
🔴 RED FLAG🚨 Consumer Fraud Alert: Local Installer Markups & Door-to-Door Traps in Dallas–Fort Worth MetroplexHow local solar reps inflate loans by 30% or push 25-year escalator leases
DFW leads Texas in predatory 25-year solar loan complaints where canvassers promise 'zero electric bill with 1-to-1 net metering' while hiding a $12,000 GoodLeap dealer fee. Always check your DFW quote in our Dealer Fee Unmasker.
💡 PRO SAVINGS🔧 Optimal 2026 Engineering Spec & Local Utility Rebates for Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex9.5 kW Solar + EG4 18kPV + 14.3kWh–28.6kWh PowerPro WallMount (Free Nights Mode)
Recommended System Architecture: 9.5 kW Solar + EG4 18kPV + 14.3kWh–28.6kWh PowerPro WallMount (Free Nights Mode)
Local Rebate & Incentive Stacking: 1) 100% Texas Property Tax Exemption for Solar & Battery Storage (Tex. Tax Code § 11.27); 2) Select Oncor Solar & Battery Energy Efficiency Rebates (subject to annual funding window).
FAQ❓ Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex (Oncor Electric Delivery (ERCOT Deregulated REPs)) Solar & Battery FAQsAnswers on local TOU windows, export credits, and battery payback
How does the 'Free Nights + Battery' strategy work in Oncor DFW territory?
Several Texas REPs (such as Just Energy, Direct Energy, Amigo, and Chariot) offer plans with $0.00/kWh electricity from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM (including $0 TDU fees on select plans) in exchange for higher daytime rates (~26–30¢/kWh). By running your house on solar + a 14.3kWh–28.6kWh battery during the day and topping up the battery for free after 9:00 PM, your net monthly bill drops to almost zero.
Where is Signature Solar (EG4 Electronics) located relative to DFW?
Signature Solar and EG4 Electronics are headquartered right outside the DFW Metroplex in Sulphur Springs, Texas—meaning Dallas–Fort Worth homeowners can pick up EG4 18kPV inverters and 14.3kWh WallMount batteries locally with zero freight cost!
Recommended Battery & Hybrid Inverter Kits for Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex
Turnkey solar salespeople routinely charge $3.60–$4.80/W by bundling 30% loan dealer fees and $12,000+ battery margins. Buying Tier-1 UL9540 hardware directly—either DIY or hiring a local licensed electrician ($1,500–$2,500)—cuts total cost by 50–65%.
EG4 18kPV Inverter + 14.3kWh PowerPro WallMount
The gold-standard UL9540 all-in-one hybrid system. Pair an 18kW PV input hybrid inverter (200A pass-through) with an indoor/outdoor IP65 14.3kWh LiFePO4 WallMount battery—saving $12,000+ vs turnkey quotes.
- 18kW PV Input / 12kW Continuous AC Output (200A Pass-Through)
- 14.3kWh LiFePO4 (8,000+ cycles @ 80% DoD)
- UL9540 & UL1741-SB Certified for Permit Approval
EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra (6kWh–30kWh Modular)
Skip the $30,000 contractor quote and 6-month utility interconnection wait. Delivers 7.2kW–21.6kW continuous 120V/240V split-phase output and 5.6kW Solar Input right out of the box—expandable up to 90kWh.
- 7,200W–21,600W 120V/240V Split-Phase Output
- 6.1kWh LFP Stackable Battery (scales to 30kWh–90kWh)
- 5,600W Solar Input — Zero Roof Permit Required for Portable PV
Renogy 48V Off-Grid & Hybrid LFP Solar Kit
Complete modular 48V architecture combining high-efficiency N-type bifacial panels, a 48V 3,500W–5,000W MPPT inverter-charger, and smart modular LiFePO4 storage at ~$1.15/W hardware cost.
- 48V High-Efficiency Bus (75% lower copper wire loss)
- Modular 48V 50Ah / 100Ah Smart LiFePO4 Battery Bank
- Complete Plug-and-Play MPPT All-in-One Controller
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