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For Texas homes that already have solar
Add a battery to the solar panels you already have
You have solar, but you still get an electric bill. That's usually not a panel problem. It's a timing problem: your panels make the most power in the afternoon, and your home uses the most at night. A battery moves your own solar from the afternoon to the evening.
Why solar homes in Texas still get a bill
Texas has no statewide net metering law. Your electricity provider decides what it pays for the extra solar you send to the grid, and many plans now pay only a few cents per kWh. At night you buy power back at the full rate.
| Time of day | What happens without a battery | With a battery |
|---|---|---|
| Afternoon | Extra solar goes to the grid for a few cents | Extra solar charges the battery |
| Evening and night | You buy grid power at the full rate | Your home runs on the stored solar |
| Outage | Most grid-tied solar shuts off for safety | The battery keeps your home running |
Rates vary by provider and plan. Your bill or Electricity Facts Label shows your real buyback and purchase rates.
Your options, side by side
| Option | Upfront cost | Fixes the night bill? |
|---|---|---|
| Add more panels | A bigger loan | No. More panels make more daytime power, and daytime is when you already have extra. |
| Switch to a better buyback plan | $0 | Partly. It raises what you earn for exports, but you still buy at night. |
| Buy a battery | Often $20,000 to $40,000 for this much storage | Yes. You own it and pay for it; check the warranty length and who services it. |
| Solrite battery program | $0 upfront, $0 installation fee | Yes. Up to 60 kWh of Duracell batteries for $20 a month. Solrite owns and services them for the 20-year term. |
Will a battery work with my system?
Most grid-tied home solar systems can add a battery. Michael checks three things before anything moves forward:
- Your utility. Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas or TNMP homes qualify. Co-ops and city-owned utilities (like Austin Energy) don't.
- Your solar ownership. Panels paid in cash or with a loan qualify. Leased and PPA systems don't yet.
- Your home. The solar setup, electrical panel and where the batteries can go.
You don't replace your panels or your solar loan. The battery is added to what you already have.
What the Solrite program costs
$0 upfront, $0 installation fee, and a $20 monthly program fee. You also enroll with a Solrite-approved electricity provider: about 14¢ per kWh including delivery on average (about 13–15¢ on the EFL), plus a $9.95 monthly base charge. It's a 20-year agreement, and leaving the electricity provider early carries a penalty. Full program details →
Common questions
Is a solar battery worth it in Texas?
It depends on how much solar you send to the grid for a few cents and how much power you buy back at night. Your bill shows both. Upload it for an instant estimate and you'll see the numbers for your home.
Do I need more panels instead?
Usually not. If you already make extra power during the day, more panels make even more daytime power. The costly part of the bill happens at night.
Will my solar keep working in an outage?
Without a battery, most grid-tied systems shut off when the grid goes down. With a battery, your home can keep running on stored energy. Backup time depends on your usage and system design.
Does the battery replace my solar loan?
No. You keep paying your solar loan. The battery is meant to shrink the electric bill that comes on top of it.
See your numbers
Upload a photo of your electric bill. In about a minute you'll see what the battery could change. Or call or text Michael at 469-855-0499.
Illustrative information only. Rates, fees, eligibility and program terms must be verified for your home; the current EFL and agreement control. Actual savings and backup duration vary. Watt Hero is an Authorized Solrite Dealer.