Use this guide
Choose the questions relevant to your situation. Expand each answer, save the checklist and request written clarification where evidence is missing.
Questions homeowners ask
Does Oncor set my solar buyback agreement?
Oncor directs customers to their Retail Electric Provider (REP) for buyback plans, credits and billing questions. Buyback participation is not required. Keep the REP’s actual agreement.
Source: Oncor: residential and small-commercial solar process and REP responsibilities. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Which operating milestone should I retain?
Oncor describes a signed interconnection agreement followed by a Permission To Operate letter sent to the customer and installer. Retain the actual authorization, not just an application reference.
Source: Oncor: residential and small-commercial solar process and REP responsibilities. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What do Oncor’s 001 and 057 meter channels represent?
The FAQ identifies 001 as grid inflow and 057 as surplus outflow. Preserve both readings and their dates.
Source: Oncor: solar FAQ, meter channels, surplus data and ownership transfer. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Why does inverter production differ from the utility meter?
Oncor’s meter measures grid supply and surplus sent to the grid, not total system generation. The quantities answer different questions.
Source: Oncor: solar FAQ, meter channels, surplus data and ownership transfer. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Is a displayed 057 reading my monthly export total?
No. Oncor describes a cumulative value. Retain period-boundary readings; one displayed number is not the period total.
Source: Oncor: solar FAQ, meter channels, surplus data and ownership transfer. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What should I check if a buyback credit is missing?
Oncor’s FAQ says to confirm meter reprogramming and whether the REP receives surplus data. If the REP reports missing data, ask it to contact Oncor.
Source: Oncor: solar FAQ, meter channels, surplus data and ownership transfer. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What changes when I buy a home with an existing system?
Oncor’s FAQ directs ownership-transfer requests to its distributed-generation team, followed by a new tariff application and agreement. Confirm REP arrangements separately.
Source: Oncor: solar FAQ, meter channels, surplus data and ownership transfer. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Does a parallel backup battery need interconnection review?
Oncor’s installer guidance requires an interconnection agreement when a battery operates in parallel with the utility for any length of time. Ask Oncor about the proposed configuration.
Source: Oncor: installer guidance and parallel-battery interconnection. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
How do I compare a solar buyback offer with my records?
Put the REP agreement beside its effective dates, import price terms, export calculation, limits and settlement provisions. Compare the same billing period with the actual meter records and bill. Ask for written clarification of every missing term. A buyback label alone does not establish the value of exports, eliminate delivery charges or guarantee a lower total cost.
Where does Solar Survey AI help with these questions?
Our homeowner education and evidence methodology help organize missing site inputs and proposal assumptions. Confirm available survey scope, exclusions and compensation conflicts before booking. The REP and Oncor control their respective account processes; our assessment does not set prices or authorize operation. Homeowner provider connections and planned free remote diagnosis remain coming soon.
Your decision checklist
- Identify Oncor delivery service and the actual REP.
- Retain the signed agreement and PTO letter.
- Confirm meter programming and data availability.
- Keep dated 001 inflow and 057 outflow records.
- Separate cumulative readings from interval totals.
- Separate inverter production from utility meter energy.
- Retain the effective REP buyback contract and bill.
- Confirm transfer or battery changes with responsible parties.
Save or print this guide from your browser. Keep completed records privately.
Continue your research
Match Oncor meter records to the REP contract
| Record | Evidence to retain | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible parties | Oncor service identity, REP and installer | Who confirms the account, billing term or equipment issue? |
| Operating approval | Executed agreement and actual PTO letter | What remains open before authorized operation? |
| Grid measurements | Dated 001 and 057 readings or interval exports | Does this cover the same period as the bill? |
| Data handoff | Meter programming and REP receipt confirmation | Is missing data distinguished from no measured exports? |
| Buyback terms | Effective contract, calculation, limits and settlement | Which provision explains the billed credit? |
| Ownership or equipment change | Transfer records or proposed battery configuration | What new agreement or account action is required? |
Illustrative arithmetic: two cumulative export readings at the matching period boundaries are 1,200 kWh and 1,360 kWh. Their difference is 160 kWh. These invented readings demonstrate a record comparison, not an actual export amount or credit. Preserve the timestamps and original records; confirm any reset, replacement or missing interval before applying the arithmetic to your account.
Example: the inverter reports generation, but the REP bill shows no buyback credit. Keep the generation record, grid-export data and contract separately. Ask whether the REP received the applicable export data and which contract provision determines the credit. Do not convert all inverter generation into an assumed bill credit or record missing utility data as zero exports.
This guide is specific to Oncor-served residential record questions, not every Texas utility or retail plan. Oncor’s overview describes a first full billing cycle of 30–60 days after PTO; its detailed FAQ also describes load-profile timing from meter reprogramming. Confirm the actual milestones and account status rather than promising a credit date. No current REP price, universal rollover rule or savings result is asserted here. Obtain readings through safe authorized records; do not open enclosures, modify equipment or change operation to complete the worksheet. Our worksheet and examples are editorial advice. Continue with bill measurement checks, solar home transfer records and permit and utility milestones. Explore Solar Survey AI’s evidence methodology and confirm available survey scope.
About these guides
Published by Solar Survey AI, a commercial survey-services company. Our original decision checklists are recommendations; linked authorities support the referenced facts. We may benefit if you purchase our services. This is not independent certification of our company, a project-specific engineering decision or personal tax/legal advice. Local rules, contracts and site evidence control individual decisions. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
For available survey or inspection services, confirm your project scope and availability with our team. Our planned free homeowner remote diagnosis remains coming soon.
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