How to read the bill

• Austin Energy says the solar bill credit applies only to electric charges, not to water or other city utility services.

  Austin EnergyValue of Solar RateChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base austin-energy-003.

• Entergy Texas says a solar customer is still billed for grid electricity, and solar credits do not apply to non-bypassable charges.

  Entergy TexasDistributed Generation FAQChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base entergy-texas-003.

• In deregulated areas you choose a retail electric provider, and the wires company still delivers power, reads the meter, and maintains the poles and wires.

  Public Utility Commission of TexasPower to Choose FAQsChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base statewide-ptc-001.

• Some retail plans charge a fee if you use less than a minimum amount of electricity, and the plan's electricity facts label is where that fee is shown.

  Public Utility Commission of TexasPower to Choose FAQsChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base statewide-ptc-003.

• Power to Choose says there is no switching fee unless you request a special meter reading outside your regular meter reading.

  Public Utility Commission of TexasPower to Choose FAQsChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base statewide-ptc-004.

• Breaking your current electric contract can still bring a penalty, so Power to Choose says to read that plan's terms of service.

  Public Utility Commission of TexasPower to Choose FAQsChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base statewide-ptc-005.

• Before choosing a retail electric plan, read its Electricity Facts Label for the contract terms, pricing, fees, and renewable-energy share.

  Public Utility Commission of TexasGlossaryChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base statewide-ptc-008.

• The commission requires an Electricity Facts Label for every retail plan so customers can compare offers the same way.

  Public Utility Commission of TexasGlossaryChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base statewide-ptc-009.

• Check the plan's Electricity Facts Label to see whether a usage fee applies and what the minimum usage is.

  Public Utility Commission of TexasPower to Choose FAQsChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base statewide-ptc-010.

• CenterPoint Energy, Oncor, TNMP, and AEP Texas are investor-owned utilities that operate the poles and wires, and the PUCT sets their delivery rates.

  Public Utility Commission of TexasGuide to the Electric Rate Case Process for Investor-owned Utilities inside ERCOTChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base statewide-puct-002.

• Those delivery utilities charge delivery rates to the retail electric provider, and the charges are passed through on the customer's bill.

  Public Utility Commission of TexasGuide to the Electric Rate Case Process for Investor-owned Utilities inside ERCOTChecked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base statewide-puct-003.

• In the competitive market, a utility's activities were separated into a power generation company, a retail electric provider, and a transmission and distribution utility.

  Texas Legislative CouncilUtilities Code Chapter 39Checked September 28, 2026. Knowledge base statewide-unbundle-001.

The company named for delivery has its own page in the utilities directory. Retail choice is covered on its own page.