Going Solar with CenterPoint
CenterPoint serves the greater Houston metro. If you’re installing rooftop solar here, this guide covers what you’ll pay for power, how you get credited for the energy you export, the interconnection process, and the fees to expect.
See what solar would actually save you on a CenterPoint bill — run a free estimate (no signup required).
Rates & getting paid for solar
Approx. energy rate (your REP)
11.5¢/kWh
Approx. solar export credit
4.0¢/kWh
CenterPoint is your delivery utility (TDU) — it moves power and owns the meter, but doesn’t sell you energy or buy your solar directly. You choose a retail electric provider (REP), and to get paid for exported energy you’ll want a REP that offers a solar buyback plan. Rates shown are approximate.
Rate figures are best-guess estimates from 2025 data and are not a quote.
Interconnection & permit fees
Small certified residential systems generally avoid CenterPoint’s DER study fee, and they reprogram your existing meter. Note CenterPoint doesn’t pay for exported energy itself — your retail provider (REP) does, through a solar buyback plan.
Fees are approximate — verify against CenterPoint’s current fee schedule and your local building department.
How to connect: step by step
Pull your local permits
Get a building & electrical permit from your city or county building department (your AHJ). Requirements vary locally; homeowners can often pull their own electrical permit as an owner-builder, though some jurisdictions require a licensed electrician for the interconnection wiring. See a local example: Houston solar permit guide.
Check with your HOA
Texas’s Solar Rights Act means an HOA can’t ban rooftop solar, but it can require written approval and basic appearance standards — submit your plans first. Property Code §202.010
Request interconnection from CenterPoint
File a distributed generation interconnection application with CenterPoint. They sign an interconnection agreement, set your bi-directional meter, and issue Permission to Operate (PTO). Because CenterPoint only delivers power, also line up a REP with a solar buyback plan to get paid for exported energy. CenterPoint interconnection page
Submit your interconnection request
These utility portals are built for registered installers — as a DIY homeowner you’ll typically register as your own “installer of record” to file.
Pass inspection, then get switched on
Your city inspects the work and CenterPoint commissions the meter. Once you receive Permission to Operate, you can legally turn the system on and start earning credits.
For a neutral overview of going solar in Texas, see the Public Utility Commission’s guide: Thinking About Solar Panels for Your Home? Or read the full Texas solar guide.