A Haltom City homeowner says going solar has cost more than he bargained for.
Tim Jones spent thousands of dollars -- even after rebates and tax credits -- to install a solar-power system in October. He said his power bills went down dramatically -- until he was switched to a smart meter.
“I’m not complaining over $5 a month," Jones said. "This is a huge financial difference. I would have been better off if I hadn’t installed this.”
He said he has not had a credit for the solar power generated at his home on his electric bills since the new meter was installed.
Oncor Electric Delivery said it replaced Jones' spinning-wheel analog meter around April 1.
But under Texas rules, Jones should not have been using his solar system before getting a digital meter said Oncor spokeswoman Carol Peters.
She said Jones’ interconnection agreement only took effect at the time the smart meter was installed.
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“Since January of 2009 in Texas, the market rules are that you must have an interconnection agreement and an in-flow/out-flow meter set before you begin operating your solar system," Peters said.
Peters said Jones' digital meter is properly recording the solar power generated at his home.
His retail electric provider should give him credit for it, but only a handful of retail providers in Texas offer solar credit, she said.
“The amount paid back to the consumer is negotiated, so the retail electric provider and the consumer with the solar panels get together and decide what those kilowatt hours are worth," Peters said.
She said Jones was given information about Texas' solar power rules, but Jones said he was not told the details before installing his system.
Jones may have to pay a penalty to change to a provider that offers solar credit.
He said he suggests other people considering solar power "think twice about it."
Previous Coverage:
- Smart Meters Could Change Your Home, Work Life
- One Woman Vs. 7 Million Oncor Customers
- State Regulators Expand Probe of Smart Meters
- More Researchers Point to Smart Meter Security Holes
- Oncor Launches Web Site to Track Energy Usage
- Tests Show Smart Meters Really Are Smart: Oncor
- Smart Meters Have 2 Dallas Women Seeing Red
- Regulators to Oncor: "Quit Charging for Smart Meter Tests"
- Oncor Tries to Zap Smart Meter Worries With Testing
- Residents Fight Smart Meters
- State Orders Independent Testing of Smart Meters
- Blame Weather, Not Smart Meters for High Bills: Oncor
- Realtor Sounds Billing Alarm Over Smart Meters
- Oncor Fails to Give Notice for Smart Meter Installation ... Again
- Smart Meters Can Be Hacked: Security Experts
- Oncor Customers to Pay for "Smart Meter" Mistake
- Oncor to Ask Uncle Same to Pay for Smart Meters
- Oncor Wants Customers to Pay for $93 Million Mistake
- Oncor Smart Meters Will Cost You -- For 11 Years
