Solar for Oncor Customers: Net Metering and Export Credits
How your utility credits the solar power you send back to the grid has a big effect on what solar is worth to you. Here's what official sources say for Oncor customers. Rules change, so confirm current terms with the utility before you sign.
About Oncor
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's Form EIA-861 data for 2024 lists 3,477,215 residential customers for Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Texas), ranking #5 among U.S. utilities in our tally of bundled plus delivery-only residential customers. Source: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
How Oncor credits home solar
- Oncor delivers power; your retail electric provider (REP) handles buyback. Oncor says it's your responsibility to talk with your REP about buy-back plans or credits for surplus energy, and that you aren't required to join a buy-back program. Source: https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/us/en/home/smart-energy/renewables-solar-and-more/residential-small-commercial-thinking-about-solar.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
- After Oncor grants Permission to Operate, it programs your meter to measure surplus generation, and that data goes to your REP within 30 to 60 days. Oncor says that in general there are no pre-interconnection study fees for small inverter-based systems. Source: https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/us/en/home/smart-energy/renewables-solar-and-more/residential-small-commercial-thinking-about-solar.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
- The PUCT notes that in areas where you can shop for electricity, you can choose a retail plan with a buyback rate. Source: https://www.puc.texas.gov/consumer-help/electricity/solar/Default.aspx (accessed 2026-10-20)
A note on the federal tax credit
The federal residential clean energy credit (25D) doesn't apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025. The IRS treats an expenditure as made when installation is completed. Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb (accessed 2026-10-20). This page isn't tax advice.
What this means for your quote
Savings depend on how much of your solar you use on site versus export, your rate plan, and your system size. We can't give a typical savings figure; it varies, and your quote should show the assumptions behind any estimate.
Questions for your installer
- Which retail plan and buyback rate does your estimate assume?
- Will you submit the Oncor interconnection application for me?
- Will you handle the Oncor interconnection application?
Sources
- https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/us/en/home/smart-energy/renewables-solar-and-more/residential-small-commercial-thinking-about-solar.html (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
- https://www.puc.texas.gov/consumer-help/electricity/solar/Default.aspx (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861 (2024 data) — https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/ (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
- IRS, "FAQs for modification of sections 25C, 25D, 25E, 30C, 30D, 45L, 45W, and 179D under Public Law 119-21 (OBBB)" — https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
SolarMatchup is a free service: you submit one request and we match you with one installer. Their proposal is an estimate, not a guarantee — use this guide to read it carefully and ask questions before you sign. Savings, if any, depend on your usage, utility rates, and local rules.
Last reviewed 2026-10-20.
More for Texas homeowners: state guide with utility rules, prices and city pages.
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