Solar

A solar power system may or may not be for you. While it may potentially lower your home energy usage and lead to eventual financial savings on electric bills, it may also take years to see those benefits, including a significant initial investment.

Going solar?

Whether you are ready to commit or just fact-finding, Tri-County Electric Cooperative’s team of energy advisors are ready to take your solar questions.

For more information, please contact us at distributedgeneration@tcectexas.com or (817) 752-8119.

Already solar?

Current TCEC members whose solar power systems were installed before March 1, 2024 will remain on the “grandfathered” plan, unless major changes are made to their systems.

This “grandfather” status was recently extended an additional 10 years to expire March 1, 2044.

Apply for a New Installation Apply for Additional Equipment

Application Process

There is a $500 fee for each solar application submitted. If significant changes (including the addition, changing, or alteration of components) are made to the submitted system design after review and approval, a new application and fee may be required.

An additional $100 fee may be assessed if there are two failed reviews of the distributed generation application.

Additionally, there is a $12 distributed generation fee applied to your monthly bill to offset operation and maintenance expenses related to solar.

Billing & Metering

2026

Month	PCRF/kWH	Avoided Cost/kWh
December 2026	-0.00 cents	10.5 cents
November 2026	-0.00 cents	10.5 cents
October 2026	-0.00 cents	10.5 cents
September 2026	-0.50 cents	10 cents
August 2026	-0.50 cents	10 cents
July 2026	-0.50 cents	10 cents
June 2026	-0.50 cents	10 cents
May 2026	-0.25 cents	10.25 cents
April 2026	-0.25 cents	10.25 cents
March 2026	-0.25 cents	10.25 cents
February 2026	-0.25 cents	10.25 cents
January 2026	-0.50 cents	10 cents

2025

Month	PCRF/kWH	Avoided Cost/kWh
December 2025	-1.00 cent	9.5 cents
November 2025	-1.00 cent	9.5 cents
October 2025	-1.00 cent	9.5 cents
September 2025	-2.00 cents	8.5 cents
August 2025	-2.00 cents	8.5 cents
July 2025	-2.00 cents	8.5 cents
June 2025	-2.00 cents	8.5 cents
May 2025	-0.50 cents	10 cents
April 2025	-0.50 cents	10 cents
March 2025	-2.00 cents	10 cents
February 2025	-2.25 cents	9.75 cents
January 2025	-2.25 cents	9.75 cents

2024

Month	PCRF/kWH	Avoided Cost/kWh
December 2024	-2.00 cents	10 cents
November 2024	-2.25 cents	9.75 cents
October 2024	-2.75 cents	9.25 cents
September 2024	-3.5 cents	8.5 cents
August 2024	-3.5 cents	8.5 cents
July 2024	-3.5 cents	8.5 cents
June 2024	-3.5 cents	8.5 cents
May 2024	-2.25 cents	9.75 cents
April 2024	-2.25 cents	9.75 cents
March 2024	-2.25 cents	9.75 cents
February 2024	-2.25 cents	9.75 cents
January 2024	-2.25 cents	9.75 cents

2023

Month	PCRF/kWH	Avoided Cost/kWh
December 2023	-2.25 cents	9.75 cents
November 2023	-2.25 cents	9.75 cents
October 2023	-2 cents	10 cents
September 2023	-2 cents	10 cents
August 2023	-2 cents	10 cents
July 2023	-2 cents	10 cents

How to Read Your Buy-Back Solar Bill

1. Contact Information: Tri-County Electric Cooperative phone number and website.

2. Total Amount Due: Summarizes the total amount due on this statement including the due date. Auto Pay will be indicated if you participate in automatic debit/credit card or bank draft.

3. Your Account Information: Your account number and bill date for the current bill.

4. Account Message Center: Important messages about capital credit allocations, credit card expiration dates, or past due amounts.

5. Monthly Usage Comparison: A quick snapshot of your current billing period usage and how it compares to past usage.

6. Daily Usage: Average energy used per day for the current billing period, along with average daily cost.

7. Tri-County Message Center: Read important messages about services, notices and events.

8. Payment Stub: Detach and include this portion of the bill if you're paying by mail, in-person, or using one of our drop-boxes.

9. Purchased Power Meter Information: Meter number, days of service, reading dates, meter readings, total kWh energy purchased in the current billing period, and peak demand for the billing cycle.

10. Exported Power Meter Information: Meter number, days of service, reading dates, meter readings, and total kWh energy exported to Tri-County in the current billing period.

11. Account Information: Account number, main phone number, service description, board district, and rate.

12. Energy Comparison Graph: Past 12-month usage trends, along with the average monthly high and low temperatures.

13. Previous Billing Information: A summary of the previous month's billing information.

14. Minimum Monthly Bill Charge: Monthly charge that consists of a $18 customer charge and a $12 distributed generation charge.

15. Purchased Energy: A detailed breakdown of energy purchased from Tri-County, which consists of the Energy Charge, PCRF, and Brazos Financing Rider.

16. Exported Energy: Detailed information about the total energy supplied to Tri-County at the current avoided cost rate in addition to any banked credits.

How to Read Your Grandfather Solar Bill