Utilities
Going Solar with CenterPoint Energy
What CenterPoint Energy customers need to know about solar interconnection, buyback credit, and system sizing in Greater Houston and the upper Gulf Coast.
CenterPoint Energy is a transmission and distribution utility serving Greater Houston and the upper Gulf Coast. CenterPoint handles delivery and metering; buyback credit comes from your REP.
How CenterPoint Energy handles rooftop solar
CenterPoint handles delivery and metering; buyback credit comes from your REP.
Interconnection is the step that determines when your system can legally export power. Your installer files the application, the utility reviews the one-line diagram and equipment certifications, and after a passed local inspection you receive permission to operate.
- Serves roughly 2.9 million metered customers
- Coastal wind loading affects racking engineering
- Several Houston REPs offer competitive solar buyback plans
Sizing a system in this territory
Because export credit varies, size the array to your actual annual kWh usage rather than to available roof space. Covering 80% to 100% of usage is the common target when buyback is weaker than the retail rate.
Use the Texas Solar Calculator with your city selected to see how the local rate and sun hours change the payback period.
What to ask before you sign
Any installer working in this territory should be able to answer these in writing.
- How many interconnections have you completed here in the past year?
- What is the expected timeline from contract to permission to operate?
- What export credit am I actually receiving, in cents per kWh?
- Who files the interconnection application and pays the fee?