Yea, as my meter gets re-programmed I will be able to get a better idea how it would work. The rates have gone up in the two weeks I have been looking. It could have gotten an 8.3 flat rate, but now most are getting to be over 11 cents for 500 kWh, like you said.
I'm currently month to month with GM at 9.5 for 500 kWh. That was supposed to be a Solar Buy Back plan and to have started August 1st. But they slammed me, taking me off my 8 cent plan ahead of time. I better not get an early cancellation fee. And guess what, no solar included in the solar plan. As you might have guessed, I already have a dislike for Green Mountain.
If I could get back on an 8 cent flat rate plan, I might just skip the Surplus Power Purchase Agreements all together and just settle for offsetting my useage.
Sorry, I think I may have repeated myself some.
-
Its up to you, I know we had 8.3 cents before we signed up and lost that but wanted the credits. Most of the providers in my area now are around .10 now. Just look at the break down of the prices most advertise the 8 cents but that if you use more then 2000kw a month. My Greenenrgy goes down to 10 if i use more then 2000kw in a month also. I am on month to month so can change at any time.
Just look and see if at any point you think you will be feeding the grid at any point.
BioTechLeave a comment:
-
BioTech, it is great talking to someone in my area that has experience. I will not be getting credits, and I will not be producing as much power as you. Do you think it will be worth it for me to sign up for the Green Mountain Renewable Rewards solar plan? The 11.2 cents is sticker shock because I have been paying an 8 cent flat rate.Leave a comment:
-
A little confusing, but I got it. Thank you for explaining it to me.
So in the fall, when your solar drops off, your A/C does also. How does that work out for you? Or maybe you have not seen a fall yet. When was your system installed?Leave a comment:
-
I have Oncor (they give good rebates plus you get federal on top) as my power distribution company and Green Mountain as the REP (who I pay). Under Oncor you have a meter that has two readings in-flow(from the grid) and out-flow(excess power back to the grid). Those readings are read once a month when they generating my bill.
Lets say During July my Solar System will produce about 1600 KW of power for the entire month. When my system is producing power I use some of that or all of it at any given time it is producing. The excess I don't use is put back onto the grid in the form of credits to the out-flow meter part. I have only put back during the entire month 600 kw of power but used 1000kw of that power my self. The 1000kw i did use of my solar I am not charged at all its free (minus what i paid for the solar system). Any excess I did put back is calculated on my bill but not credited till the next month in the form of a credit. So for the 600 kw that rolled over to August i will see it as two credits due to the two rates of credits. The first 500 kw will be at full price for the power rate of July .112 per kw. Then anything over 500kw i am credited at 50%. So the other 100kw I get full credit for only 50Kw due to the rate scheme of Green Mountain. I get credit for what I did not use but the first 500 at 100% and the rest above 500kw at 50%. Now thats only the solar, the in-flow from the grid I use at night and when my solar is under performing I get a bill for that in July. So this month that will be about 650kw total for the month. So in the End for July I will only pay .112 cents per kw for the 650 (in-flow) and then next month I pay for Aug lets say 650kw and then get credit for 500kw at full price and 100kw at reduced by 50%. so my Aug bill is very low just he meters cost and such at around 17.70$. This keeps going through the year some months i pay nothing due to credits from some months that are paid in full and have excess still on them. Some months in summer are very small about 10-25$ it depend.
Hopes this helps but may be hard to follow with out taking in person.
BioTechLeave a comment:
-
BioTech, you have a large system. I will have 7560 Watts when I get the rest of my system put together. It got too hot on the roof to finish, so I will have a fall project. I have (14) of (27) 280 watt panels installed.
So, how does it work. You collect credits in the summer to use the rest of the year. I don't expect to produce much more than I use on a daily basis. I will still be purchasing the larger part of my electric needs. So, I'm sensitive to the price I will be paying. I have been on an 8 cent flat rate. Now I'm looking at 11 + cents with my PV system. I hate to pay 35 percent more for my power so that I can save 20 percent with my solar system. So, I'm hoping someone will be able to give me some ideas.Leave a comment:
-
Texas does not have Net Meterin glaws thus utilities are not required to do anything thank God. That is one reason why we have dirt cheap electric rates.Leave a comment:
-
Under 1000KW used a month its .112 but they buy back at the same rate up to 500kw each month. Anything i put back over the 500kw is at halt that price. I use most of my power i Produce during during the day. I average in the summer to put back to the grid about 600-700 kw each month (depends if i work from home or not). I have a 10.2 KW system, 42 panels.
BioTechLeave a comment:
-
Hey BioTech,
Thank you for the reply. What rates are you getting from Green Mountain?
Thanks,
ScottLeave a comment:
-
I am in Texas also and those three are the only providers in Texas that will buy back excess power. I use Green Mountain and have not had a problem with them at all. You can use this site to find out who does buy power in texas and the rates.
BioTechLeave a comment:
-
A reasonable Solar Retail Plan in Texas?
I live in a Dallas suburb, and I'm looking for an energy retailer that offers a reasonable Surplus Power Purchase buy back program. At this current time, Green Mountain's Renewal Rewards solar program is only available with a high price retail plan; 11.2 cents at 500 kWh, 10.9 at 1000 kWh, and 10.8 cents for 2000 kWh. No Bueno!
In my area, Green Mountain, TXU and Reliant seem to be the only retailers offering to purchase surplus PV power. I have now told all of them to go pound sand because of their high rates. I would rather pay 8 cents and give away my excess power.
I now have to switch back to my 8 cent retailer because Green Mountain slammed me. My contract with my current provider (Summer Energy) was up on 7/31. I told Green Mountain to start my service on August 1st, thinking I had time to cancel them if I found a better deal. Long story shortened, I originally signed up for a GM solar plan with a high of 9.5 cents per kWh. However I just found out that they switched me on the 22nd. I see in some reviews that this is their MO. I will be so pissed if I get an early termination fee because of GM. I knew to avoid GM because of their unscrupulous business practices, but I'm getting desperate to find a decent surplus power buy back plan in Texas.
Does anyone know a retailer that is offering a decent PV plan? I don't expect to get any money back, but I would like to bank my excess for later use.
Leave a comment: