Palmetto solar customers living in deregulated areas of Texas, where you choose your Retail Electric Provider, are encouraged to register for Shell Energy’s Solar Buyback plan as soon as you’re ready to activate your system. The program offers easy enrollment, competitive rate plans, and (most importantly) solar buyback credits for any excess energy your solar panels produce.
Solar Buyback programs allow you to offset electricity costs in two significant ways:
- Reduce your energy usage
Any energy produced by your panels and used in your home will reduce or offset the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid. - Earn more on the energy you produce
Any excess energy produced by your panels and not used in your home will flow back to the electricity grid, and earn you credit on your energy bill.
If you are eligible for the program and choose not to enroll, you’ll miss out on key savings that were factored into your Palmetto design, as well as your monthly and 25-year savings estimates.
Already locked into another plan? No problem.
As a Shell Energy customer, you will be eligible for up to a $200 reimbursement on any Cancellation or Early Termination Fees—paid as a credit on your month six (6) electric bill from Shell Energy.
How to enroll in the Shell Energy Solar Buyback Program
- OPEN SHELLENERGY.COM
For customers in CenterPoint Energy or Oncor Electric Delivery Company TDU territories, click here to access the Shell Energy enrollment form for Palmetto customers.
For customers in AEP Texas Central Company, AEP Texas North Company, or Texas-New Mexico Power TDU territories, click here instead. - ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE
Enter your Zip Code, then select Find Your Plan. - SEARCH AND SELECT YOUR PLAN
On the left side of the screen, you should see your Utility Provider and Promo Code followed by a prompt to select your monthly electricity usage. Select your usage to see available rates and plans.
Tip: Select More Information to review plan details. The Electricity Facts Label (EFL) will give you a breakdown of electricity rates and charges; the Terms of Service (TOS) covers invoicing, payments, and terms; and Your Rights as a Customer (YRAC) includes important information about how to switch your Retail Electric Provider (REP) based on rules adopted by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC). - ENTER YOUR INFORMATION
You’ll be prompted to enter your Service Address and Utility Account Number or ESI ID (located on your electricity bill), followed by Service Type or Start Date, Customer Information, and Billing Address.
Tip: Make sure your Start Date aligns with system activation. There’s no need to enroll in the Solar Buyback Program until your system is active. - COMPLETE ENROLLMENT
Once you’re ready to move forward, you’ll be guided through the final two steps of enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shell Energy?
Shell Energy is an innovative Retail Electric Provider (REP) in Texas backed by Shell Energy North America. Shell Energy rebranded from MP2 Energy in 2022, but the company remains the same. Palmetto has partnered with Shell Energy to offer competitive supply rates and a Solar Buyback option to our residential customers.
Who is eligible for the program?
Shell Energy Solar Buyback plans are available to all Palmetto solar customers located in the following Texas Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) territories.
- AEP Texas Central Company
- AEP Texas North Company
- CenterPoint Energy
- Oncor Electric Delivery Company
- Texas-New Mexico Power
Homeowners who purchase their electricity from an electric cooperative or municipal utility are unable to enroll in the Shell Energy Solar Buyback Program.
How does it work?
- All Texas customers living in deregulated, TDU territories—where you can choose your electricity provider—are required to contract with and purchase their energy through Retail Electric Providers (REPs) rather than directly through their TDU.
- While TDUs do not offer net billing metering, a way to earn credit on the excess energy you produce, select Retail Electric Providers (REPs) do.
- Palmetto has partnered with Shell Energy to offer competitive supply rates and Solar Buyback options to residential solar customers.
When should I enroll?
If your solar energy system is currently active, the best time to enroll is now.
If, however, you are a new solar customer awaiting installation or activation, the best time to enroll is at Permission to Operate (PTO)—when your TDU grants permission to activate your solar energy system—so you can start earning credits as soon as your system is active.
What if I have an existing contract with a different Retail Electric Provider?
Once you enroll in the Shell Energy Solar Buyback Program, your previous Retail Electric Provider will be notified and your contract canceled; there is no action needed from you to cancel your contract. As a Shell Energy customer, you will be eligible for up to a $200 reimbursement on any Cancellation or Early Termination Fees—paid as a credit on your month six (6) electric bill from Shell Energy.
How will I be charged for electricity?
As a Shell Energy customer, your electricity bill will include the following:
- Base Charge - a small, flat fee charged by your REP each billing cycle
- Energy Charges - a fixed rate per kWh of energy you use, charged by your REP each billing cycle
- Delivery Charges - include both a flat fee and a rate per kWh of energy you use charged by your TDU each billing cycle
- Solar Buyback Credits - a fixed rate per kWh of energy your solar panels produce and add to the grid each billing cycle
Note that all Retail Electric Providers (REPs) charge for energy consumption and TDU delivery. Only select REPs offer solar buyback credits. For this reason, we encourage all Palmetto solar customers to register for a Solar Buyback plan and save more with the energy they produce.
Who should I contact for support?
Please direct any questions about Shell Energy Solar Buyback Program enrollment and benefits to HappytoHelp@ShellEnergy.com or (833)-SHELL-HM (743-5546).
Once enrolled, Shell Energy will handle all customer service inquiries related to your retail energy plan. Palmetto will handle all inquiries related to your solar project, performance, and account.