How much electricity will a solar system produce?

A typical south-facing solar system in North Texas with full sun exposure will produce approximately 1,533 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year for every 1 kilowatt (kW) of system capacity. West- and east-facing systems will produce about 15 to 20 percent less, respectively. North-facing systems will produce over 40 percent less. Because of these differences in production, only systems that face southeast, south, southwest or west (system orientation between 130 degrees and 290 degrees) are eligible for a CoServ solar rebate. 

The figures above are derived using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory PVWatts Calculator.

Can I put a solar system somewhere else other than my roof?

Yes. If your property is large enough to accommodate a ground-mounted system, and the location is not shaded by trees or other obstructions, then the system will work similarly to a roof-mounted system and will be eligible for the CoServ rebate.

Can a solar system supply all my home’s electricity needs?

For most customers, solar with proper direction orientation will provide approximately 40 to 50 percent of their home’s electricity, regardless of how large a system is installed. Installing a larger solar system cannot overcome these limitations. Instead, a larger system will produce more energy when the sun is shining. If the system produces more electricity than your home needs during these times, the excess production will flow to the electric grid rather than the home.

Will I be able to produce power during an outage?

No. The inverter, which is one of the key components of a solar system, needs power continuously to function; therefore, you must remain connected to the grid. If the grid goes off during an outage, so does the inverter.

Does CoServ finance solar electricity systems?

CoServ does not currently offer any solar financing programs. Please consult with your installer and/or financial institution regarding financing options.

How long do solar panels last?

A typical solar panel has a 20-year warranty.

Can I go solar without purchasing a new solar system?

Yes, CoServ’s new Solar Savings Rate is a great way to go solar without having solar panels. Launched in March 2021, this rate program offers 100 percent renewable energy without the long-term commitment, upfront cost and commitment required with physical solar panels. It’s also perfect for townhomes and apartments.

The rate itself is also competitive with CoServ’s Standard Residential Rate.

CoServ has its own solar that’s generated at the CoServ Solar Station, a 2-megawatt solar farm near Krugerville. CoServ also has buys 52 megawatts of power from the massive Lapetus Solar Project in far West Texas.

Certified Solar Installer Program:

How does CoServ’s Certified Solar Installation Program benefit me?

CoServ is aware that many of its customers are interested in having solar panels installed on their home.

We want to help customers make informed decisions by providing a list of solar installers that CoServ believes will perform quality work in an ethical manner at a fair price.

What rebates and incentives are available to me?

CoServ supports interconnected co-generation per the terms of our tariff. For residential applications, CoServ offers a $1,000 rebate for residential installed systems over 4kW using a CoServ Certified installer. For commercial applications, CoServ offers $200/kW DC up to 100kW DC. The maximum rebate for a commercial system is $20,000. Rebates are available until the funds are depleted. CoServ reserves the right to change the solar rebate per kW amount at any time. All installations must follow the then-current guidelines set by CoServ’s Tariff, Distributed Generation Procedures and Guidelines Manual for Members (the “DG Manual”), and the CoServ Certified Solar Installation Program Terms and Conditions. A pre-inspection may be performed, and a post-inspection must be performed, by CoServ on all installations.

Solar rebate documents:

• 2021 CoServ Solar Rebate Application
• 2021 CoServ Solar Program Terms and Conditions
• 2021 CoServ Standard System Pricing Form
• 2021 CoServ Fair Pricing Disclosure
• 2021 CoServ Net Metering Policy Disclosure

Will I still get a CoServ electric bill after my solar system is installed?

Yes, customers will still receive a CoServ bill for a portion of their electricity usage because, in most cases, their solar system will not produce enough power to offset the home’s entire electric consumption. 

What is the distributed generation (DG) fee?

Distributed generation (DG) refers to a variety of technologies that generate electricity at or near where it will be used, such as solar panels and combined heat and power. CoServ’s retail rate is designed to recover from customers, in a fair and equitable manner, CoServ’s costs to provide electric service according to how those costs are caused by the customers. CoServ’s retail rate includes recovery of fixed costs, such as distribution capacity, metering, billing, and other fixed costs, in addition to the cost of energy. These fixed costs are incurred for all customers, including those with solar. Since CoServ allows net metering of the full retail rate, the DG fee recovers a portion of these fixed costs in a fair and equitable manner. Learn more in our distributed generation manual.

What is net metering?

Net metering is a system in which solar panels or other renewable energy generators are connected to a utility power grid, and the customer is credited for surplus power transferred onto the grid. This allows customers to use their surplus solar generation to partially offset the cost of power drawn from the utility. CoServ’s current policies provide net metering for solar systems with a capacity of 50 kW or less. CoServ charges customers with solar PV systems only for their net usage within a billing period, after any excess solar production that is directed to the electric grid is subtracted from the amount of grid electricity consumed by the home.

Please note that there is no guarantee that CoServ’s net metering policy or current rate structure will remain the same throughout the life of a solar system. 

Do I have to choose a CoServ Certified Installer to claim the solar rebate?

Yes. To qualify for a CoServ solar rebate, a new solar PV system must be installed by a contractor who has been approved to participate in the CoServ Certified Solar Installation Program. Click here for more information.

I installed a solar PV system before CoServ announced the Certified Solar Installation Program. Can I get the CoServ solar rebate?

Unfortunately, CoServ cannot extend solar rebates to customers who installed solar systems before CoServ’s Solar Installation Program was launched. 

I installed a solar PV system with a contractor who is not part of the CoServ Certified Solar Installation Program or who did not follow all the requirements of this program. Can I get the CoServ solar rebate?

Unfortunately, no. The solar program is designed to ensure that CoServ has the opportunity to review the design and marketing materials related to the proposed solar system before it is installed on the customer's home.

What warranties are normally included with a new solar system?

To qualify for a CoServ solar rebate, the PV modules’ performance must be warrantied for at least 20 years, and the inverter must be warrantied for at least 5 years. In addition, the installer must provide a minimum 10-year warranty for performance and defects in workmanship. These warranties are typical within the industry.