Bastrop residents face new fees alongside solar export credits

Bastrop Power & Light began providing bill credits to rooftop solar customers in Bastrop, Texas, on October 1.

The city council approved a new framework that rewards homeowners for sending surplus electricity back to the local grid. The city calculates these credits based on the avoided cost of generation, which represents the amount the utility avoids spending to buy electricity from wholesale providers.

However, the city also introduced a recurring monthly charge for solar users that depends on the size of their installed system. This fee may offset the savings earned from exported power. Homeowners must still complete a city application process and pass inspections before connecting new systems to the grid. The city warns that unauthorized or noncompliant connections could result in fines of up to $1,000 per violation.

While the export credit system is active, the specific amount of the new monthly fee remains pending.