I received a letter from BTU today saying they were changing from net metering (we have significant investment in solar generation at our home) to consumption billing (retail rates) and generation credit (tied strictly to the Power Cost Recovery Charge (PCRC) component of the electric rate), and this change started on June 1. Not even a heads up. I'm guessing I have no recourse. Any thoughts?
Net metering going away with BTU
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Last: 6 days ago by KidDoc
Well bummer, there goes my biggest argument for pushing CSU to step up and offer net-metering. I did a lot of research into this last year and net-metering is disappearing nation-wide, it's an ongoing trend. I was surprised that BTU was still doing it to be honest.
Did they simply update the signed generation agreement and send you a notice? Curious if this constituted a contract.
FWIW CSU is currently:
Sell to consumer: $0.1356
Buy back: $0.0568
(buy-back top of page 48) https://opendoc.cstx.gov/WeblinkPublic/DocView.aspx?id=6577851&dbid=0&repo=DOCUMENT-SERVER&cr=1
Edit: It looks like Bryan City Council approved the removal of net-metering (rather, approved new rate schedules including Distributed Generation Systems) back in May:
https://wtaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BryCoun050526BTUbkgd.pdf
https://wtaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BryCoun050526btuOrd.pdf
Did they simply update the signed generation agreement and send you a notice? Curious if this constituted a contract.
FWIW CSU is currently:
Sell to consumer: $0.1356
Buy back: $0.0568
(buy-back top of page 48) https://opendoc.cstx.gov/WeblinkPublic/DocView.aspx?id=6577851&dbid=0&repo=DOCUMENT-SERVER&cr=1
Edit: It looks like Bryan City Council approved the removal of net-metering (rather, approved new rate schedules including Distributed Generation Systems) back in May:
Quote:
These terms and conditions supersede all prior agreements, representations, or understandings related to Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement.
https://wtaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BryCoun050526BTUbkgd.pdf
https://wtaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BryCoun050526btuOrd.pdf
No one in media picked up on what that meant I guess. Not surprised that KBTX probably didn't even go to the meeting. A little surprised WTAW didn't get it.
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harrierdoc said:
I received a letter from BTU today saying they were changing from net metering (we have significant investment in solar generation at our home) to consumption billing (retail rates) and generation credit (tied strictly to the Power Cost Recovery Charge (PCRC) component of the electric rate), and this change started on June 1. Not even a heads up. I'm guessing I have no recourse. Any thoughts?
I'm not deep into solar lingo.
Does this mean they bill you one rate (which is higher) when you use BTU electricity in excess of what your solar can produce AND then when you are producing more than you use (and feed back into the grid), you are paid a lower rate?
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Yes, essentially you are paying them retail price, but they only pay you wholesale price.
Maybe I misread it, but it seemed to me like they charged you retail for whatever you used regardless of the source and paid you wholesale on what you produced regardless of if you were using it or not.
That would have made solar a no-go for me when I bought it.
That would have made solar a no-go for me when I bought it.
plant science guy said:
Maybe I misread it, but it seemed to me like they charged you retail for whatever you used regardless of the source and paid you wholesale on what you produced regardless of if you were using it or not.
That would have made solar a no-go for me when I bought it.
no, at first, they just took the difference between what we used and produced, and either charged us retail for any extra we consumed, or paid us wholesale for any extra production we had. This is different.
I am really pissed about this, had no idea it was going away and just completed a large solar install that factored this into the ROI.
It's frustrating.
A policy-proof approach would be using a battery with Self-Consumption mode enabled, so you use your own generated electricity first, only tapping into the grid when you run out, and selling off any surplus.
A policy-proof approach would be using a battery with Self-Consumption mode enabled, so you use your own generated electricity first, only tapping into the grid when you run out, and selling off any surplus.
Stucco said:
A policy-proof approach would be using a battery with Self-Consumption mode enabled, so you use your own generated electricity first, only tapping into the grid when you run out, and selling off any surplus.
This was my plan all along. I guess that removes the grid-tie-only option from my options.
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I don't have an easily accessible copy of my distributed generation contract, but their online copy of the old agreement, dated 10/2020 says the following:
Billing. a. BTU shall measure the electricity flow at one metering point, the billing meter. The billing meter shall measure the electricity consumed by Customer from BTU's electric system and the electricity delivered into BTU's electric system. The metering equipment shall be installed and owned by BTU, and BTU shall read the meter in accordance with its normal meter reading schedule and procedures. b. For each billing period, BTU shall compute a bill on the net electrical usage or output. If, for the billing period, electrical output into BTU's electric system exceeds Customer's electric usage such that Customer is a net producer of electricity, BTU shall credit the Customer for the net electrical output of the DG System at the then current Power Supply Adjustment (PSA) rate. If, for the billing period, Customer's electric usage exceeds the electrical output into BTU's electric system, such that Customer is a net purchaser of Page 4 of 7 Initials ______ AGREEMENT FOR INTERCONNECTION AND PARALLEL OPERATION OF COGENERATION OR SMALL POWER PRODUCTION INSTALLATION 50KW OR LESS electricity from BTU, Customer shall pay for such net electricity consumption at the appropriate BTU ordinance rate in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the BTU Electric Service Agreement. Any credit that accrues on the customer's account due to excess generation sold to the grid will remain on the account until the customer requests those funds be returned in the form of a check. The credit must be a minimum of $150 before a check will be issued, and the customer may request a check no more than twice in any 12 month period. If, upon termination of this Agreement, a credit balance exists on Customer's electric utility account, BTU shall pay Customer the amount of such credit balance within thirty (30) days after termination.
AND...
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and can be amended only by agreement between the parties in writing. In the event any provision of this Agreement, or any part or portion thereof, shall be held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, such unenforceable provision shall have no effect on the remaining provisions of this Agreement. 16. The failure of either Party to insist upon strict performance of any provision of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, or to take advantage of any of its rights hereunder, shall not be construed as a waiver of any such provision or the relinquishment of any such right or any other right hereunder. 17. This Agreement and all disputes arising hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Venue for all such disputes shall be proper and lie exclusively in Brazos County, Texas
I'm no lawyer, but if I don't agree to the change in contract terms, how can the back out of it if I've upheld my end of the agreement?
Billing. a. BTU shall measure the electricity flow at one metering point, the billing meter. The billing meter shall measure the electricity consumed by Customer from BTU's electric system and the electricity delivered into BTU's electric system. The metering equipment shall be installed and owned by BTU, and BTU shall read the meter in accordance with its normal meter reading schedule and procedures. b. For each billing period, BTU shall compute a bill on the net electrical usage or output. If, for the billing period, electrical output into BTU's electric system exceeds Customer's electric usage such that Customer is a net producer of electricity, BTU shall credit the Customer for the net electrical output of the DG System at the then current Power Supply Adjustment (PSA) rate. If, for the billing period, Customer's electric usage exceeds the electrical output into BTU's electric system, such that Customer is a net purchaser of Page 4 of 7 Initials ______ AGREEMENT FOR INTERCONNECTION AND PARALLEL OPERATION OF COGENERATION OR SMALL POWER PRODUCTION INSTALLATION 50KW OR LESS electricity from BTU, Customer shall pay for such net electricity consumption at the appropriate BTU ordinance rate in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the BTU Electric Service Agreement. Any credit that accrues on the customer's account due to excess generation sold to the grid will remain on the account until the customer requests those funds be returned in the form of a check. The credit must be a minimum of $150 before a check will be issued, and the customer may request a check no more than twice in any 12 month period. If, upon termination of this Agreement, a credit balance exists on Customer's electric utility account, BTU shall pay Customer the amount of such credit balance within thirty (30) days after termination.
AND...
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and can be amended only by agreement between the parties in writing. In the event any provision of this Agreement, or any part or portion thereof, shall be held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, such unenforceable provision shall have no effect on the remaining provisions of this Agreement. 16. The failure of either Party to insist upon strict performance of any provision of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, or to take advantage of any of its rights hereunder, shall not be construed as a waiver of any such provision or the relinquishment of any such right or any other right hereunder. 17. This Agreement and all disputes arising hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Venue for all such disputes shall be proper and lie exclusively in Brazos County, Texas
I'm no lawyer, but if I don't agree to the change in contract terms, how can the back out of it if I've upheld my end of the agreement?
harrierdoc said:plant science guy said:
Maybe I misread it, but it seemed to me like they charged you retail for whatever you used regardless of the source and paid you wholesale on what you produced regardless of if you were using it or not.
That would have made solar a no-go for me when I bought it.
no, at first, they just took the difference between what we used and produced, and either charged us retail for any extra we consumed, or paid us wholesale for any extra production we had. This is different.
Aren't these statements the same?
Rexter said:harrierdoc said:plant science guy said:
Maybe I misread it, but it seemed to me like they charged you retail for whatever you used regardless of the source and paid you wholesale on what you produced regardless of if you were using it or not.
That would have made solar a no-go for me when I bought it.
no, at first, they just took the difference between what we used and produced, and either charged us retail for any extra we consumed, or paid us wholesale for any extra production we had. This is different.
Aren't these statements the same?
No. Consider:
Produced 1000 kWh for month (inexcess of what was used by me) and returned to grid
Consumed 1000 kWh when I needed some.
Currently, I would receive no electric charge, and just pay a $12.00 fee (1000 - 1000 =0 net kWh used)
With new way, I'd be billed retail for 1000 kWh = about $115 and they would subtract the excess production at wholesale rate for the 1000 kWh = about $35. My bill would be $80+any fees.
harrierdoc said:
I don't have an easily accessible copy of my distributed generation contract, but their online copy of the old agreement, dated 10/2020 says the following:
Billing. a. BTU shall measure the electricity flow at one metering point, the billing meter. The billing meter shall measure the electricity consumed by Customer from BTU's electric system and the electricity delivered into BTU's electric system. The metering equipment shall be installed and owned by BTU, and BTU shall read the meter in accordance with its normal meter reading schedule and procedures. b. For each billing period, BTU shall compute a bill on the net electrical usage or output. If, for the billing period, electrical output into BTU's electric system exceeds Customer's electric usage such that Customer is a net producer of electricity, BTU shall credit the Customer for the net electrical output of the DG System at the then current Power Supply Adjustment (PSA) rate. If, for the billing period, Customer's electric usage exceeds the electrical output into BTU's electric system, such that Customer is a net purchaser of Page 4 of 7 Initials ______ AGREEMENT FOR INTERCONNECTION AND PARALLEL OPERATION OF COGENERATION OR SMALL POWER PRODUCTION INSTALLATION 50KW OR LESS electricity from BTU, Customer shall pay for such net electricity consumption at the appropriate BTU ordinance rate in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the BTU Electric Service Agreement. Any credit that accrues on the customer's account due to excess generation sold to the grid will remain on the account until the customer requests those funds be returned in the form of a check. The credit must be a minimum of $150 before a check will be issued, and the customer may request a check no more than twice in any 12 month period. If, upon termination of this Agreement, a credit balance exists on Customer's electric utility account, BTU shall pay Customer the amount of such credit balance within thirty (30) days after termination.
AND...
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and can be amended only by agreement between the parties in writing. In the event any provision of this Agreement, or any part or portion thereof, shall be held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, such unenforceable provision shall have no effect on the remaining provisions of this Agreement. 16. The failure of either Party to insist upon strict performance of any provision of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, or to take advantage of any of its rights hereunder, shall not be construed as a waiver of any such provision or the relinquishment of any such right or any other right hereunder. 17. This Agreement and all disputes arising hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Venue for all such disputes shall be proper and lie exclusively in Brazos County, Texas
I'm no lawyer, but if I don't agree to the change in contract terms, how can the back out of it if I've upheld my end of the agreement?
Not an attorney but what does it say about modifications, termination, notices, etc.
I thought the last part addressed that?
There may be terms in another document referenced elsewhere, etc.
I just received my official agreement with them. This is also in the agreement:
either party may terminate by giving the
other party at least sixty days' written notice that the other party is in default of any of the material
terms and conditions of the Agreement, so long as the notice specifies the basis for termination and
there is reasonable opportunity to cure the default; or (d) BTU may terminate by giving Customer at
Page 2 of 7 Initials r AGREEMENT FOR INTERCONNECTION AND PARALLEL OPERATION OF COGENERATION OR SMALL POWER
PRODUCTION INSTALLATION S0KW OR LESS
least sixty days' written notice if possible in the event that there is a material change in an applicable
rule or statute that necessitates termination of this Agreement.
Looks like we are without a leg to stand on unfortunately. It would have been nice to have been grandfathered.
either party may terminate by giving the
other party at least sixty days' written notice that the other party is in default of any of the material
terms and conditions of the Agreement, so long as the notice specifies the basis for termination and
there is reasonable opportunity to cure the default; or (d) BTU may terminate by giving Customer at
Page 2 of 7 Initials r AGREEMENT FOR INTERCONNECTION AND PARALLEL OPERATION OF COGENERATION OR SMALL POWER
PRODUCTION INSTALLATION S0KW OR LESS
least sixty days' written notice if possible in the event that there is a material change in an applicable
rule or statute that necessitates termination of this Agreement.
Looks like we are without a leg to stand on unfortunately. It would have been nice to have been grandfathered.
ERCOT summer demand peaks in late afternoon when solar output is rapidly decreasing.
Price follows that rapid demand.
The screenshots from ERCOT below show price spiking in late afternoon.
A 1000 Kw of rooftop solar (or any other electrical generation) in the day is worth $28.
A 1000 Kw in the summer evening from the grid is worth $60.
So it makes economic sense why BTU revised contract terms.
-
FWIW, late afternoon summer is a vulnerable time for the grid. AC demand is high, solar generation is rapidly falling off.
Especially if a high pressure system is stagnant over mid Texas and there is no wind for inland wind farms.
Price follows that rapid demand.
The screenshots from ERCOT below show price spiking in late afternoon.
A 1000 Kw of rooftop solar (or any other electrical generation) in the day is worth $28.
A 1000 Kw in the summer evening from the grid is worth $60.
So it makes economic sense why BTU revised contract terms.
-
FWIW, late afternoon summer is a vulnerable time for the grid. AC demand is high, solar generation is rapidly falling off.
Especially if a high pressure system is stagnant over mid Texas and there is no wind for inland wind farms.
Great stuff!
I wasn't aware of that get together. I don't know if I could have attended or spoken, give we don't live in Bryan. Anyway, if those folks get us grandfathered in, the rest of us owe them a big thank you.
If I were you, I'd look into buying a powerwall or similar. Use your own power first, then only buy from them when absolutely necessary,
This is 100% why I did not invest in solar for our place. CSU follows this model, and without the federal subsidies, it just didn't pencil out.
Now, a big consumer of power at our place is the pool pump, and I'm looking into getting a dual solar / electric one next time mine bites the dust.
This is 100% why I did not invest in solar for our place. CSU follows this model, and without the federal subsidies, it just didn't pencil out.
Now, a big consumer of power at our place is the pool pump, and I'm looking into getting a dual solar / electric one next time mine bites the dust.
I understand their desire to change, but they shouldn't have the ability to change the rules on us that have taken advantage of the prior agreement. If they want to change the rules going forward, so be it, but those of us with a current old contract should be grandfathered and allowed to keep our original contractual agreement.
I agree with you.
Tough to fight City Hall, even more when you're not a resident.
Tough to fight City Hall, even more when you're not a resident.
Does anyone have an update on the status?
We need to sign a new agreement with BTU, but they say that doesn't opt you out of being grandfathered if the city decides that's what they want to do.
We need to sign a new agreement with BTU, but they say that doesn't opt you out of being grandfathered if the city decides that's what they want to do.
All a Bobby G James E thing. BTU leadership just saying what they are told. Some mad deep pockets. Expect a lawsuit. Could have been handled better - moratorium on new installs and a 10 yr run out. That would have made it work for many if not all.
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Quote:
To soften the blow for those who invested thousands in solar technology, the council approved a "step-down" transition model. Instead of an immediate cut, customers will receive a grace period based on when they installed their panels:
- 2026 Installers: 6 years under old rules
- 2025: 5 years
- 2024: 4 years
- 2023: 3 years
- 2022: 2 years
- 2021 & Earlier: 1 year
aneisch said:Quote:
To soften the blow for those who invested thousands in solar technology, the council approved a "step-down" transition model. Instead of an immediate cut, customers will receive a grace period based on when they installed their panels:
- 2026 Installers: 6 years under old rules
- 2025: 5 years
- 2024: 4 years
- 2023: 3 years
- 2022: 2 years
- 2021 & Earlier: 1 year
is this official?
Yes
https://www.kbtx.com/2026/07/15/bryan-city-council-approves-solar-rate-transition-early-budget-outlook-shows-fiscal-strength/
https://go.boarddocs.com/tx/cobtx/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DVHLAF559C4F
https://go.boarddocs.com/tx/cobtx/Board.nsf/files/DVRT4N759166/$file/Ordinance%20Amending%20BTU%20Electric%20Rate%20Schedules%20(002)_071426.pdf
https://www.kbtx.com/2026/07/15/bryan-city-council-approves-solar-rate-transition-early-budget-outlook-shows-fiscal-strength/
https://go.boarddocs.com/tx/cobtx/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DVHLAF559C4F
https://go.boarddocs.com/tx/cobtx/Board.nsf/files/DVRT4N759166/$file/Ordinance%20Amending%20BTU%20Electric%20Rate%20Schedules%20(002)_071426.pdf
Thank you so much
Those homeowners made significant investments based on the current rules and the city just changed the rules and screwed them all. The plan they came up with was terrible. Should have been grandfathered for as long as the current owner owned the property. That was a New York City move.
I'm one of those owners and completely agree. A real screw job
It's poor PR for BTU. An unforced error. Just make the change going forward for new installs or replacements. It's easy enough to do and not a significant budget issue. BTU is a community success story - and there is no reason for them to push the agenda to the point they get sued….. which will happen.
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woodometer said:
Those homeowners made significant investments based on the current rules and the city just changed the rules and screwed them all. The plan they came up with was terrible. Should have been grandfathered for as long as the current owner owned the property. That was a New York City move.
The Mayor blew it off with a quick "99% of BTU customers subsidizing 1%..." (WTAW interview)
"Let them eat cake!"
-BobbyG, probably
-BobbyG, probably