Oncor Texas Solar Buyback Plans: Net Metering Traps in Deregulated Texas
Door-to-door solar reps in Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Austin suburbs, and Waco love claiming Texas has “1-to-1 net metering.” In reality, Texas has no statewide net metering mandate, and Oncor's non-bypassable ~5.1¢/kWh TDU delivery fee silently eats 30%–40% of solar-only savings.
1. Comparison of Oncor Texas Solar Buyback Structures (2026)
| Texas REP Plan Type | All-In Import Rate (w/ Oncor TDU) | Solar Export Credit Paid | Hidden Catch / Best Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| “1:1 Energy-Only” Buyback | ~16.5¢ – 19.5¢ / kWh | ~11.0¢ – 14.0¢ / kWh | You still lose ~5.1¢/kWh Oncor TDU fee on every exported kWh |
| Real-Time Wholesale (RTW) | ~15.2¢ – 18.0¢ / kWh | ~2.0¢ – 3.5¢ midday (spikes in Aug) | Requires a 14.3kWh+ LFP battery to avoid midday dumping |
| Free Nights + Hybrid Battery | $0.00/kWh (9 PM – 7 AM) · ~26¢ Day | N/A (100% Self-Consumed) | Solar + 14.3kWh battery runs daytime; free grid recharges at night |
Model your Texas ZIP code and Oncor / CenterPoint rates: Open the Texas Solar & Buyback Calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't a '1-to-1 solar buyback plan' in Oncor Texas wipe out my whole bill?
In deregulated Texas (ERCOT), your bill has two parts: the Retail Electric Provider (REP) energy charge (~9–12¢/kWh) and the Oncor TDU (Transmission & Distribution Utility) delivery fee (~5.1¢/kWh + $4.23/mo). Most '1-to-1' REP solar plans only credit the energy portion when you export—meaning every kWh you export during the day and buy back at night still costs you ~5.1¢/kWh in non-bypassable Oncor delivery charges.
What is a Real-Time Wholesale (RTW) solar buyback plan in Texas?
Under RTW plans (offered by several Texas REPs), your daytime solar exports are credited at the live ERCOT wholesale settlement price—which frequently drops to 1.5–3.0¢/kWh at midday—while your evening imports are billed at 15–19¢/kWh retail plus Oncor TDU fees.
How do Texas homeowners use a 14.3kWh battery with 'Free Nights' or RTW plans?
With an EG4 18kPV + 14.3kWh WallMount battery or EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra, you store your daytime solar instead of exporting it, avoiding the 5.1¢/kWh Oncor TDU penalty on every kWh consumed after sunset—and on Free Nights plans, you can even top up your battery bank for $0.00/kWh overnight.
Skip the $14,000 Installer Markup: Direct-Purchase Hardware & Vetted Quotes
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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