As the push for sustainable energy solutions gains momentum, Texas homeowners increasingly look to solar power as a viable and cost-effective option for their energy needs. In recent years, the state has seen a significant uptick in residential solar installations, with over 500,000 homes now harnessing the power of the sun.1
This surge can be attributed to the decreasing costs of solar panels, which have dropped by more than 80% over the last decade, and the abundance of sunlight Texas receives—averaging around 204 sunny days per year.2
Entergy Texas, Inc. (ETI) serves over 460,000 customers across 27 counties in southeast Texas. They offer a robust solar buyback program that helps expedite the ROI of your solar PV system. Installation costs are lower than ever, and regional and nationwide incentives are making solar more accessible than ever in Texas. Here is what you need to know about going solar with Entergy Texas.3
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Does Entergy Have a Solar Program?
Entergy Texas offers several programs aimed at promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency, but it does not currently have a specific solar program for residential customers. They do, however, host a distributed generation (net meter) program for customers.4
Distributed Generation (Net Metering) with Entergy
With Entergy Texas’ distributed generation program, when you generate solar power at home, the energy goes to where it’s needed most in your house. If your house doesn’t use all the energy, the extra power goes back to the utility company, and you get a credit on your bill. When your solar panels aren’t producing energy, you’ll use electricity from the grid, like normal.5
What Are the Entergy Energy Buyback Program’s Rates
Entergy Texas doesn’t give a 1-to-1 payback for extra energy. Instead, you get credit at a lower rate for any extra power your system sends to the utility grid. When your system sends extra power to the grid, the utility company distributes it to other customers, and you get a credit on your bill. ETI credits the account at the ‘avoided cost’ estimate for all surplus kWh exported to the grid.
If you still see a bill from Entergy Texas after installing solar panels, it means you used electricity from the grid when your system wasn’t producing enough. You pay regular rates for this grid-supplied electricity, and any credit for extra solar energy won’t cover certain mandatory charges on your bill.
What is Avoided Cost?
According to Entergy, “An avoided cost (also known as net-metering) is the minimum amount an electric utility is required to pay an independent power producer, under the PURPA regulations of 1978, equal to the costs the utility estimates it avoids in not having to produce that power.”
Who Qualifies for Entergy Texas Net Metering?
To qualify for Entergy Texas’ Distributed Generation or net metering program:
- You must be a residential or commercial customer in the Entergy Texas service area.
- The solar PV system must comply with all relevant safety and technical standards as outlined by Entergy Texas.
- A certified professional must perform the solar installation, ensuring that the system operates efficiently and safely.
- You must have a bidirectional meter.
- An application must be submitted with details about the solar system’s specifications, intended installation date, and compliance with local codes and standards.
Interconnection for Net Metering
After Entergy Texas approves the application, they will update the current meter to a bi-directional meter. This will separately register the amount of electricity purchased from the utility and the amount supplied to the utility.
The homeowner will then be billed for all energy (kWh) supplied by the utility and will be credited for any energy (kWh) supplied to the grid. A credit for all energy (kWh) supplied to the grid will be applied during the billing cycle based on Entergy Texas’ standard rates for purchases at Avoided Cost.6
Below are the 2024 avoided cost buyback rates:
- 2024 Summer Rate $0.028215 cents per kWh
- 2024 Winter Rate $0.031135 cents per kWh
Is Going Solar with Entergy Worth It?
Yes, while the avoided cost buyback rates for net metering are not as robust as other net metering programs, they will still help you save on utility bills and see a faster ROI on your solar installation. You can take advantage of net metering at any time, providing a steady reduction in your electricity expenses by offsetting the energy you consume with the energy your system produces.
Even though the financial incentives might be less generous than those provided by other utility companies, the long-term benefits of reduced energy costs, increased property value, and contributing to a greener environment make going solar with Entergy a wise decision.
Finding a Texas Solar Installer
The best solar companies in Texas know how to work with regional permitting and solar program requirements. This will help you to get on board with Texas solar incentives that will help you get the most out of your clean energy investment.
Freedom Solar works for you to get power into your Texas home. The entire process is handled by the people most capable of doing it the right way. We’ve helped thousands of customers get clean, affordable, reliable energy from the sun.
Book your free consultation today!
Resources:
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gamechange-solar-hits-milestone-of-3-gw-in-texas-powering-nearly-500-000-texan-homes-301535907.html
- https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pv-global-supply-chains/executive-summary
- https://www.entergy-texas.com/
- https://www.entergy-texas.com/your_home/save_money/ee/home-energy-efficient/
- https://www.entergy-texas.com/net-metering/
- https://cdn.entergy-texas.com/userfiles/content/net_metering/FAQ.pdf