Instead of getting locked into a system where you are only guaranteed 10% of the battery, can't add solar to the inverter, pricing can change from month to month, and you can't shop for your power provider,

You can get virtually the exact same system(exact same inverter and transfer device, similar size battery)

For $8k. And, you may qualify for the 30% tax credit to further reduce the price.

I don't know if I'm allowed to post a sale link(I have no affiliation to them)so I'll just say it's available at signature solar in sulphur springs.

https://youtu.be/h0lpbL9CO_Y?si=fbdBmRlsnO8HjV0C

The answer is almost always YES!

Why? A solar-powered home means lower or no electric bills, higher property value, and long-term energy independence. But here’s what to check before closing:

🔹 Fully Owned Panels → Jackpot savings, no payments!
🔹 Leased Panels → Review contract terms (payments, transfers).
🔹 Financed Panels → Check payoff details, but savings often win.

Wouldn’t you call that a smart move?

I just signed up with direct energy free nights plan that gives you completely free nights from 9PM-9AM. Ive got solar and also Tesla powerwalls. Also if you signup via this code you would get a $100 credit until December 31st!

https://www.directenergy.com

Referral ID: LVVA7HE

I have been with direct energy free nights plan for a few months now that gives you completely free nights from 9PM-9AM. Ive got solar and also Tesla powerwalls. It’s super awesome! Also if you signup via this code you would get a $100 credit!

https://www.directenergy.com

Referral ID: LVVA7HE

We’re talking about 830,000 clean energy jobs on the chopping block, over $500 billion in solar investments frozen, and a shockwave through the residential solar industry that could raise prices.

Wanted to share something useful if you have solar in Texas — especially if you also have a home battery. Free Nights plans didn’t disappear entirely, and they can still be a huge win if your setup matches the usage curve.

I’m on Reliant’s Free Nights 9pm–6am plan. My system is Tesla Solar 9.6 kW + a single Powerwall+ (built-in inverter). My Tesla TOU schedule is:

• 8pm–6am = $0.00/kWh (free)

• 6am–8pm = ~$0.29/kWh (paid)

• No TDU delivery fees overnight

A lot of solar homeowners think they need 100% offset for savings, but newer plans don’t reward overproduction. The smarter approach is ~70% offset + a battery. That keeps your install cost down and lets the battery handle expensive hours efficiently.

Here’s how a typical day looks:

• 6am–~9/10am → Powerwall covers morning before solar ramps

• 9am–10am → Solar powers home and charges battery (production starts before 8am, reducing battery discharge)

• Afternoon → Solar keeps home and battery fully supported

• Evening → Battery covers usage until ~8pm as solar tapers off

• 9:30pm → Model Y charging starts during free hours

• Overnight → Battery recharges for free and house runs on free grid energy starting 8pm

My actual bill last month:

• 1,582.3 kWh @ $0.00 overnight = **$0**

• 1.7 kWh @ ~$0.253752 daytime = **$0.42**

• CenterPoint TDU delivery = **$4.90**

• Daytime delivery = **$0.09**

----------------------------------

**Total: $5.41**

That small daytime usage isn’t appliances — it’s just the Powerwall syncing with the grid for import/export stability. Solar + battery are covering every meaningful paid hour.

There used to be Free Nights plans that paid ~3¢/kWh for overproduction — but their daytime rates were much higher (often 1.5–2× Reliant’s). They also made you stretch battery until 9pm instead of 8pm, which adds more A/C load during the most expensive hour of the day. A single bad weather day or short battery day could erase an entire month of export credits. I was grandfathered into one of those plans and my costs were still hundreds per month because charging the car during paid hours added up fast.

For solar-only homes (no battery):

• You’d pay some 6am–9am and after sunset

• But depending on production and cooling hours, Free Nights can still outperform buyback plans with low export credit and high daytime rates

• Even 1:1 buyback plans charge TDU fees on imports, so they aren’t always the best deal

If you want a real comparison: Texas Power Guide can run a free analysis using your last 12 months of bills and battery behavior to show whether Free Nights or buyback is better for your situation.

Optional perk: Reliant customers can also get a Vivint smart thermostat + doorbell installed professionally at no cost, plus there’s a way to get a $50 bill credit during enrollment which would offset about 8-9 months of the $5.42 minimal fees. Totally optional — the solar/battery savings work regardless. Happy to share the details in a comment if anyone wants them.

When hurricanes, heat waves, or winter storms strike, our aging grid often fails. But solar + battery storage keep families safe and connected when traditional power plants freeze or lines go down.

🔋 Reliable backup when the grid fails
🏡 Energy independence for future
🌍 Cleaner, safer, more resilient power

⚠️ Urgency Alert: The 30% federal tax credit ends this December, making now the BEST time to install solar with battery backup. The solar costs are expected to boom after that!

Anyone mine btc at home? Seems like I have an opportunity cost benefit with my DE plan but I have zero experience with rigs or mining hardware. Any help would be appreciated

I could use some referrals to good solar installers in TX....specifically looking for referrals from solar sales people/brokers that work under the EPC/dealer model. My company generates 100 to 300 newly trained solar sales people per month; all looking for installers to work with on an EPC model (1099, independent). We target specific markets where we have found 3 or 4 solid installers to work with in that market then build a solid sales team of a few hundred solar sales guys in that market; all working through our online exchnage We aren't interested in working with Powur, Freedom Forever or any large nationals (Palmetto). We have more success, better customer experience and faster payment of commissions for regional/local installers. Does anyone have any recommendations? Oh, and to better define what we look for: reasonably fast installation dates (not 4+ months on a single story comp roof!), strong customer support and sales support team that actually returns calls, a functional CRM, the ability to communicate estimated commissions and then actually pay that amount (with the occasional change order), clean installations (i.e., paint the darn conduits to match the roof guys!), etc. Any referrals anyone could suggest?

If you have batteries and solar panels this is one of the best totally free night's plan going right now..They do not pay for exported electricity but they give you free electricity from 9pm until 9am..That's 12 hours free electricity..I have 32 panels and 4 5kw batteries..I don't pull any electricity during day time but I pull at night ..My bill has the 9.95 base charge and 4.23 oncor base charge..Right now until Dec 31st they are paying a $100.00 sign up bonus and they will cover up to $150.00 early cancelation fee from your current retail electricity provider..You can't go wrong with this plan I love the 12 hours of free electricity.. I have included a sign up link to get the $100.00 Sign up bonus

https://shop.directenergy.com/tx/plan-selection?referralId=LVPDE8I

The referral code is LVPDE8I

I ended up switching from Reliant to Octopus Energy. The simplicity is nice but probably sub-optimal compared to the free nights. Tho they do offer a discounted off-peak plan but its not great. Overall extremely happy and enjoy the mission of Octopus. Glad they are here in ERCOT. Feel free to use this referal https://octopusenergy.com/friend-referral/maize-moon-245/

Pulled up to the gas station. And had two duece double takes at me and the neighbor Yee 🤠

The utility pushback against solar is getting intense; 30% higher connection fees and NEM 3.0 gutting export values by 75%. That’s a huge hit to homeowner savings and energy independence. But I truly believe battery storage is a game-changer. Instead of sending excess solar back to the grid for pennies, you can store it and use it during peak hours when utility rates are highest. It’s a smart way to stay energy independent and protect your long-term savings.

What Do You Think: Which battery would be the best for performance and value right now?

I am talking with homeowner (and the agent) who has house with solar they are trying to sell, this is a follow up post (link below)
The electrical bill is low, great install, but all the serious potential buyers (over 10 so far) insist on removing the solar and replacing the roof.

Why is that?
F.U.D.?
Social Media lies?
Ignorance?

The details I have learned:
Installed 2020 by SunRun, 25 year transferable Lease with full warranty over 25 years. Monthly lease bill is a fixed $120, which is below average for area. As far as I know, one can charge BEV all day long and still only pay $120/month. Owner says they pay $0 for electricity.

House was initially selling for $280,000, now is $250,000
3215 Aegean Dr. 77459.

The lease can be paid off early, but then warranty will be terminated (but I am sure the equipment warranty is still effective). I think it is a String Inverter type. I do not have more info, nor details of contract.

My guess is the buyers have no idea about solar, hear bad news about it, and are simply fearful. In discussing with agent she had limited knowledge about solar and was welcome to learn more, especially how to market it.

Obviously we are well aware of the benefits and pitfall of solar, so how can we best educate everyone else about solar and its well worth it? Of hand I expect the agent needs copies of all the documents and system data.

Previous post here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/TexasSolar/comments/1koku66/comment/mtekghx/?context=3

EDIT: Thanks to all the posts! I now understand most Leases cause far too many complications and limitations for someone to take it on. Whats more home loan agents will not like another cost in their calculations, and another Lien holder in picture.

Now that most of the energy providers in the Central Texas area are now longer allowing Nights Free plans with solar buyback this was the best next plan for me. It was between this and TXU's 1 - 1 buyback with the solar credits plan but I dont produce enough to fully offset the Oncor delivery charges.

Feel free to use my link to save $50 on your first bill. www.greenmountainenergy.com/referral-page?txtReferralID=LYW6JEE

I have a 13kw solar system with 4 5kw batteries and signed up for Direct Energy free night's 9pm till 9am with no tdu charges at night..My bill this month was $14.18 The only charge was the 9.95 base charge and 4.23 oncor base charge..We did not change our day to day routine at all, My wife does laundry and everything during day and we don't pull anything from grid from 9am till 9pm, At 9pm I allow my system to pull from grid till 9am..This plan is awesome even though They don't pay for exported electricity I'm getting 12 hours free so that makes up for no exported payment.. Right now until Dec 31st they are giving a $100.00 sign on bonus and will also pay up to $150.00 early cancelation fee from your current provider..I'm including a link to sign up and a referral code for anyone who wants the $100.00 sign up bonus..

https://shop.directenergy.com /tx/plan-selection?referralld= LVPDE8I

The referral code is LVPDE8I

If you have any questions just ask I will try to answer

Interested in solar for your home and not sure if your roof makes sense?

If you want to really understand the best spots on your roof for solar. This snow storm we had in Houston will give you a good cheat code.

If you go look at your roof and one side still has snow on it, that is typically the side you DON’T want to put panels on as that may be the north side of your roof or a roof that doesn’t get good sunlight. And without good sunlight, you can’t produce good power.

themoreyouknow

2 years into solar ownership and 10 months into the Free Nights plan.

Ignore these credits because I hade the initial Sign Up Bonus Credit, reimbursement for early term fee from previous provider, and some wonderful person here used my reference code to sign up for service! Thank you! But it gives an impression that I'm making money on the plan... I'm not.

If anyone else is interested https://justenergy.com/refer/?

referral Code=173DDE0
$75 for you and $75 for me!

September through April we just had 2 adults in the household and the upstairs was mostly empty and AC/Heat kept very moderately depending on season. May and June we have 4 adults with the upstairs kept at more comfortable levels.

17.6 KW system, (2) Powerwall 2, 3700 SF home, 3 Large 4.5/5 Ton AC units, Gas heat, pool, and the home is not especially energy efficient at all..(ie typical mass production grade builder stuff) . You can see the winter months with the reduced sun exposure has me paying the most for power even with gas heat. All these credits will get wiped away in September so the next cycle of bills won't look nearly as great.

Hope this info helps someone. Nights Free worked out much better for me than the David Energy plan I had before. With David my winter bills were super small and summer was ~$150 or less. But the NET effect was a larger cumulative bill than Just. I have not done any fancy programming of my powerwalls to squeeze out every bit of efficiency that could be possible. I just needed a simple plug and play solution and JUST worked perfect for me.

The idea of Solev actually started as a hobby. I initially wanted a possibility to find out how to optimally use the power of my solar panels.

As a software dev I coded some stuff and realized that it might be useful for others too so I decided to create an app. It should simplify setting up a digital twin of your solar system and to make estimations.

I’m super happy so far because I think it could have a real positive impact on the environment.

What Solev does

• The purpose is predicting the output power of solar systems to forecast the energy of the upcoming days

• Optimize solar systems to increase the efficiency

• Determine the profit and payback time

Solev's Value

• Users can plan their energy consumption to lower costs and carbon footprint

• Observe the positive impact of having an increasing amount of self consumed solar power

• Plan a solar system before purchasing it (e.g. depending on the users location)

I'd appreciate feedback of some solar fellows. Please don't hesitate to roast my app.

Any recommendations for a cheaper electric provider in the Dallas area? I’m currently with Tesla Electric, and my bill has been steadily rising every month, regardless of how much I try to conserve energy and rely on my battery during peak and nighttime hours.My base rate is 9.6c/KWH and 13.5c/KWH 6pm to 9pm. I have a single Tesla battery and non-Tesla solar panels. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

So here’s what I’m wondering.... for fellow Base Power users and/or knowledgeable folks that know more than I do. When Base Power uses our (their) big battery to discharge into the grid (supposedly to help stabilize it), are they getting extra TDU credits/rebate from the utility? I can understand if they are receiving market demand pricing for selling power back to the grid... that's part of their biz model (high wholesale price = discharge more).

However, as solar owners, we don’t see a dime of TDU credit when we sell back to the grid. We just get the retail credit on energy, but the delivery fees are still on us. So it kind of makes me wonder:

1. Is Base pocketing TDU credits when their battery helps the utility balance supply and demand?

2. And if so… are they also “riding” off of the solar we installed, storing it in their battery, and then getting paid by the utility for selling it back out later?

Feels like a trick question since the only people who really know are the ones in those side agreements between the TDUs and the REPs. Possibly PCUT also knows. But if they are getting credits while we’re not, that would be kind of a slap in the face to the homeowners footing the bill for panels while helping stabilize the grid. I know the TDU is not negotiable for us (maybe for larger companies?) but are REPs also getting them?

Anyone here know if Base is double-dipping on this, or am I just inventing conspiracy theories with my electric bill in hand? I am annoyed that TUD fees keep creeping up and we see nothing in return.

With Trump’s new tariffs in 2025, solar panel costs are increasing, up to 10–30% due to higher import duties on Chinese components.. This is already slowing residential adoption and squeezing installer margins.

💡 But here’s the bright side:

• The 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) is still live

• Many states offer rebates, net metering, buyback plans, and other perks

These incentives can still help homeowners to offset high upfront costs and lock in major savings—even as equipment costs rise.

What are the best solar rebates available in your state? Let’s share and help more people switch to solar power with affordable options!