Sunprint
The short answer
Yes, community solar exists in Texas, but only where a utility runs it for its own customers. Austin Energy, El Paso Electric, Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC) and Bandera Electric Cooperative all publish programs. You don't own anything or install anything: the utility owns a local solar farm, and your subscription shows up as a line on your normal bill. Austin Energy's and El Paso Electric's residential programs are fully subscribed and keep waiting lists.
The four programs
| Utility | Who can join | What you buy | Price | Commitment | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Energy | Residential customers | All your use, from 3 local sites | 4.270¢/kWh in place of the Power Supply Adjustment, locked to Oct 2033 | No contract | Full: waiting list |
| El Paso Electric | Texas homeowners, renters, businesses | Blocks of kW | $15.14 capacity charge per kW block; solar credits vary | Cancel after 1 year | Full: waiting list |
| GVEC (SunHub) | GVEC members | 1 to 5 blocks of 100 kWh a month | 5.9¢/kWh G&T rate ($5.90 a block), reviewed yearly | No contract or fees | Check with GVEC |
| Bandera Electric | BEC members | 100 kWh blocks, 2,500 in all | $7.00 a block, fixed for the term | 5 years, renews | First come, first served |
From each utility's program page or agreement, October 2026. GVEC and Bandera don't post an availability status; ask before you plan on a block.
Four ways to price it
Austin Energy. Your Power Supply Adjustment is replaced with a Community Solar Adjustment, 4.270¢ a kWh for market-rate customers and 2.77¢ on its Customer Assistance Program, fixed until October 2033. It covers all your use.
El Paso Electric. You pay a fixed capacity charge for each kW block, $15.14 ($13.63 income-qualified), and get solar credits for what that block makes, 160 to 300 kWh a month depending on the season.
GVEC. Each 100 kWh block of SunHub energy carries a 5.9¢ generation and transmission rate, $5.90 a block, which GVEC reviews every year. Up to five blocks a month.
Bandera Electric. $7.00 per 100 kWh block, fixed for a five-year term. The blocks stand in for the energy charge and fuel adjustment on those kWh; you still pay delivery.
A few rules travel with each program. Austin Energy subscribers can cancel any time without a penalty but must wait 12 months to sign up again, and can't combine Community Solar with GreenChoice. El Paso Electric subscribers can change their block count, and can cancel any time after the first year. Bandera's subscribers can add blocks while they're available but can't cut back during the five-year term, though they can move the subscription to another address or another member. Austin Energy and El Paso Electric subscriptions move with you within their service areas.
Does it save money?
Usually not much, and sometimes it costs more, at least at first. Austin Energy's own example: at 1,000 kWh a month, a market-rate subscriber pays about $14 more a month, while a Customer Assistance Program subscriber saves about $2. El Paso Electric says subscribers pay "a slightly higher price" at first, with the bet being that its capacity charge "will never increase and may even go down" while the credits rise with fuel and utility rates. Bandera's $7.00 block works out to 7¢ a kWh against its 6.67¢ energy charge plus the fuel adjustment, which changes month to month.
Price stability on part of your power, solar for a home where panels won't work (renters, shaded roofs, HOA limits), and no equipment, maintenance or contract with an installer. What it usually doesn't buy is a much smaller bill. Panels you own can cut the bill far more; our payback guide shows by how much.
If your utility isn't here
- Ask your utility. Programs come and go; a co-op or city utility may have one it doesn't advertise widely. We list only what utilities publish.
- Renting? A small plug-in or balcony system is a different route; our plug-in solar guide covers what Texas utilities require.
- Own your home? Rooftop panels are the main way to cut a Texas bill. Start with how many panels you need and your utility's buyback in our buyback guide.
- Watch the pitch. Anyone selling a "community solar" subscription door to door should name the utility running it. Our guide to checking a Texas solar company helps.
Your estimate in three steps
- Enter your billYour ZIP code, your utility and last month's bill.
- See your estimateA yearly savings range based on your utility's rates and the sun where you live.
- Choose what's nextAsk for a quote call if you want real pricing, or just keep the number.
See what solar could save you
It takes about a minute. You don't need a site visit, a commitment or a sales call to see your number.
Common questions
Is community solar available in Texas?
Yes, through individual utilities. Austin Energy, El Paso Electric, GVEC and Bandera Electric Cooperative each run a program for their own customers. Austin Energy's and El Paso Electric's residential programs are fully subscribed and keep waiting lists.
How does Austin Energy Community Solar work?
Your Power Supply Adjustment is replaced by a Community Solar Adjustment locked in until October 2033: 4.270 cents per kWh for market-rate customers and 2.77 cents for Customer Assistance Program customers. There's no contract or fee, and it covers all your use. The program is at capacity with a waiting list.
How much does El Paso Electric Community Solar cost?
A fixed capacity charge for each kW block, $15.14 after the program's expansion or $13.63 for income-qualified customers, offset by solar credits for what the block produces, 160 to 300 kWh a month. You can cancel any time after one year.
What is GVEC SunHub?
GVEC's community solar program: members buy one to five 100 kWh blocks a month from its 2 MW solar station between Seguin and Gonzales, at a G&T rate of 5.9 cents per kWh, with no sign-up fee, contract or cancellation fee.
Does community solar lower my electric bill?
Not by much, and sometimes not at first. Austin Energy says a market-rate subscriber using 1,000 kWh a month pays about $14 more, and El Paso Electric says subscribers pay a slightly higher price at first. The appeal is fixed pricing and solar without panels.
Can renters get community solar in Texas?
Where a program exists, usually yes. El Paso Electric's is open to homeowners, renters and businesses, and Austin Energy's is open to residential customers.
Related guides
- Solar for Austin Energy customers
- Solar for El Paso Electric customers
- Solar for GVEC members
- Plug-in solar in Texas
- Texas solar buyback plans
- Is solar worth it in Texas?
Program terms change and waiting lists move; check with the utility before you plan around a subscription. Sources: Austin Energy: Community Solar · Austin Energy: Community Solar FAQs · El Paso Electric: Texas Shared Solar · El Paso Electric: Community Solar · GVEC: SunHub community solar · Bandera Electric Cooperative: community solar · BEC: Community Solar Subscription Agreement (PDF) · BEC: rates and fees. Reviewed October 2026.
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