All 53 utilities / Austin Energy
Austin Energy solar interconnection: what it requires before you energize
How does Austin Energy detect unpermitted backfeed?
A dedicated production meter records 100% of your generation by design documented
What happens if they catch you?
Being verified being verified
Small and DIY interconnection requirements
Municipal utility, so the deregulated REP buyback landscape doesn't apply. Interconnection agreement plus City of Austin inspection, and the tariff requires approval before you energize or interconnect. Typical process 4 to 6 weeks, extra review above 25 kW. documented
No net metering here: it's buy-all, credit-all. You pay retail for everything you consume and all production is credited at the Value of Solar rate, 9.91c/kWh residential, recalculated every three years with the next update Nov 2026. documented
Credits roll over monthly but are non-transferable, have no cash value, and are forfeited when the account closes. Size to annual usage. documented
The $2,500 rebate requires an approved contractor and their solar course, so a pure DIY install interconnects fine but forfeits the rebate. documented
sources: Austin Energy Value of Solar rate · Austin Energy home solar guide
Related: Oncor (TX) · CenterPoint Energy (TX (Houston)) · WE Energies (WI)
Planning a zero-export or plug-in setup here? See the zero-export reality check and equipment notes.
Every claim above is evidence-graded: documented means it traces to the tariff or the utility's own filings, reported means a dated community report. The full table covers 53 utilities: see all of Gridrules.