Is Solar Worth It in Texas in 2026? The News about Solar Energy

Fabian Wells
Jan 15
2 min read

Why the Real Value of Solar Is Keeping Your Energy, Not Selling It Back

For years, solar was marketed as a way to sell excess power back to the grid and lower your electric bill.

In 2026, that model is outdated and in Texas, it was never reliable to begin with.

Today, the true value of solar is not exporting energy.

It’s retaining, controlling, and using your own power when you need it most.

The Old Solar Promise Is Fading

Historically, homeowners were told:

“Generate extra solar and sell it back to the utility.”

Heres the News about Texas:

Texas has no statewide net metering
Buyback programs change constantly
Credits are often reduced, capped, or eliminated
Utilities benefit more than homeowners

Selling power back to the grid was never guaranteed and in 2026, it’s no longer the smart strategy.

The New Solar Reality: Self-Consumption

Modern solar is about self-consumption, not export.

That means:

You generate energy during the day
You store it
You use it at night, during outages, or during peak rates
You rely less on utilities altogether

Solar’s value is highest behind the meter, not on the utility’s side.

Why Selling Power Back No Longer Makes Sense for 2026

❌ Utility Rules Can Change Overnight

Buyback rates, caps, and program eligibility can be modified or canceled without notice.

❌ Credits Rarely Match Retail Rates

Utilities often pay less for your energy than they charge you to buy it back later.

❌ Grid Stress Penalizes Export

As more homes add solar, utilities increasingly discourage export to protect their infrastructure.

In short: You lose control when your solar depends on the grid.

Why Retaining Your Energy Is the Real Win

🔋 Battery Storage Changes Everything

When solar is paired with batteries:

Excess daytime production is stored
Nighttime power comes from your system not the grid
Outages no longer mean darkness
Peak-rate utility power is avoided

You’re no longer a power producer for the utility you’re your own power provider.

Solar Without Batteries vs Solar With Storage

Feature	Solar Only	Solar + Battery
Keeps power during outages	❌ No	✅ Yes
Uses solar at night	❌ No	✅ Yes
Depends on utility rules	✅ Yes	❌ No
Energy independence	❌ Low	✅ High
Long-term value	⚠️ Declining	✅ Strong

In 2026, solar without storage is incomplete.

Texas Makes Energy Retention Even More Important

Texas homeowners face:

ERCOT grid instability
Extreme heat-driven demand
Peak pricing during evenings
Weather-related outages
Limited consumer protection
A.I/ DATA CENTERS

Battery-backed solar systems:

Reduces grid dependence
Protect against outages
Stabilize energy costs
Provide predictable power

In Texas, energy reliability is as valuable as energy savings.

Solar Is No Longer a Financial Game. It’s an Infrastructure Upgrade

Without heavy incentives or guaranteed buyback programs, solar should be viewed as:

A home energy asset
A resilience upgrade
A reliability system
A hedge against grid failure

Just like insulation, roofing, or HVAC. Solar adds value by reducing risk, not by speculation.

The Sundown Solar Philosophy

At Sundown Solar, we don’t design systems around selling power back to the grid.

We design systems around:

Energy retention
Battery-first architecture
Self-consumption
Outage performance
Long-term ownership

Because the grid is unreliable but your system doesn’t have to be.