The Stakes: Expectations vs Reality
Many homeowners expect near-zero electricity bills after going solar. When they still receive $200-300 monthly bills due to a poor buyback plan choice, they're shocked and disappointed. The wrong plan can reduce their expected annual savings, leaving them short of what they were promised.
⚠️ The #1 Mistake: One Plan Fits All
Too many installers recommend the same buyback plan to every customer—often whatever plan they personally use or heard about from another installer. This approach ignores critical differences in usage patterns, system size, and lifestyle that can cost their customers $1,000+ per year.
Real Customer Reviews About Buyback Plan Guidance:
Mark Grubbs
Dara Fetsch
Mark Lien
Notice how customers specifically mention personalized plan guidance—not generic recommendations. This customized approach sets you apart.
Understanding Solar Energy Flow
Before categorizing homes, you need to understand three key metrics:
- Imports: Energy bought FROM the grid (when usage exceeds solar production)
- Exports: Excess solar energy sold TO the grid (when production exceeds usage)
- Night Import %: Percentage of imports occurring 9pm-7am (critical for free nights compatibility)
These three numbers determine which buyback plan category fits each home—and why the same plan won't work for everyone. But here's the challenge: for new solar installations, you don't know these numbers yet.
That's why we recommend using the free Texas Power Guide analysis. It pulls the customer's 15-minute interval data and includes a solar simulation—just input the system size to get estimated import/export ratios and personalized plan recommendations before the panels are even installed.
The 3 Types of Solar Homes (And Their Perfect Plans)
Category 1: High Export Homes
Profile: Exporting at least 60% of what they import. These are larger solar systems or homes that are empty during peak solar hours, resulting in significant grid exports. Example: 1,000 kWh imported / 600+ kWh exported monthly.
Best Plan Type: 1:1 plans with export rates matching import rates. These homes benefit most from plans that give full credit for every kWh exported.
Top Plans for High Export Homes
 | Match 12 month term | Import: 15.8¢ per kWh Export: 15.8¢ per kWh Base Fee: $14.5 per month Cancel Fee: $150 |
Total Solar Buyback 12 month term | Import: 16.8¢ per kWh Export: 16.8¢ per kWh Base Fee: $14.95 per month Cancel Fee: $199 |
*Based on ONCOR utility area. Prices last updated Jun 27, 2025 (3 days ago)
Category 2: Low Export Homes
Profile: Exporting less than 60% of imports. Whether due to smaller system size or heavy daytime usage (pool, home office, stay-at-home family), most solar production is consumed immediately. Example: 1,000 kWh imported / 400 kWh exported monthly.
Best Plan Type: Low Import Rate Plans with reasonable export rates. Since they export little, focus on minimizing import costs rather than maximizing export value.
Top Plans for Low Export Homes
 | Champ Saver 12 month term | Import: 9.1¢ per kWh Export: Real Time Base Fee: None Cancel Fee: $150 |
 | Sun Confidence 12 month term | Import: 8.8¢ per kWh Export: 3¢ per kWh Base Fee: $9.95 per month Cancel Fee: $150 |
*Based on ONCOR utility area. Prices last updated Jun 27, 2025 (3 days ago)
Category 3: Night Usage Homes
Profile: Importing 65%+ of their power between 9pm-7am. This is common for homes with batteries—the battery powers the home after sunset, delaying grid imports until after 9pm when free nights begin. Also includes families who shift usage to evenings—running dishwashers, laundry, and charging EVs overnight.
Best Plan Type: Free Nights Plans (if 65%+ night usage) or Battery Virtual Power Plant (VPP) plans.
Top Plans for Night Usage Homes
 | Nights Free 12 month term | Import: 32.8¢ per kWh Export: 3¢ per kWh Base Fee: $4.95 per month Cancel Fee: $175 |
 | Nights Free 12 month term | Import: 34.3¢ per kWh Export: 3¢ per kWh Base Fee: $4.95 per month Cancel Fee: $175 |
*Based on ONCOR utility area. Prices last updated Jun 27, 2025 (3 days ago)
Quick Decision Framework
- Calculate export ratio: Will they export at least 60% of what they import?
- Yes → High Export Home
- No → Low Export Home
- Check night usage: Are 65% of their imports between 9pm-7am?
- Yes → Consider Free Nights plans
- No → Stick with standard buyback plans
Not Sure Which Category Your Customer Falls Into?
When the export ratio is borderline (50-70%) or usage patterns are complex, get a professional analysis that factors in seasonal variations, time-of-use patterns, and actual billing impacts:
Get Detailed Plan Analysis →