OUC TruNet Solar in 2026: Why Export Credits, Self-Consumption and Batteries Matter
OUC changes how it credits new solar on November 1, 2026. What TruNet means for your bill, who is grandfathered, and when a battery makes sense.
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OUC is a city-owned utility, so it writes its own solar rules. In 2025 it replaced full retail net metering with TruNet Solar, and the lower credit for new systems starts on November 1, 2026. Solar still pays in OUC territory, but only when it is designed around what your home uses during the day.
Quick answer: If you applied to OUC before July 1, 2025, your exports keep near-retail credit through June 30, 2045. Systems that applied on or after July 1, 2025 earn about 5.5¢ per exported kWh starting November 1, 2026, while every kWh you buy costs about 11.5¢ or more. So the solar your home uses directly is worth about twice as much as the solar you send to OUC.
TruNet in one table
| Your situation | Credit for exported solar | Until |
|---|---|---|
| Applied before July 1, 2025 (grandfathered) | OUC base plus fuel charge, near full retail | June 30, 2045 |
| Applied July 1, 2025 or later | Full retail as a temporary grace period | October 31, 2026 |
| Applied July 1, 2025 or later | Community Solar Energy Rate (fuel rate plus 0.7¢, about 5.5¢ today) | June 30, 2030 |
| After June 30, 2030 | OUC’s fuel rate (about 4.8¢ today) | Ongoing |
The 5.5¢ figure is our math from OUC’s published fuel rate. OUC adjusts fuel charges over time, so the credit moves with it.
What changes on November 1, 2026
- The kWh solar bank and the December true-up end. OUC runs a final true-up and posts your balance to your account.
- From then on, exports are credited in dollars, in the month you make them.
- Leftover dollar credits roll forward with no expiration. There is no yearly cash payout.
- Credits can pay electric, water and wastewater charges and taxes on your OUC bill. Customer charges always apply.
Grandfathering stays with the account, not the panels
Grandfathered status belongs to the account at that address. If the home sells after June 30, 2025, the new owner is not grandfathered and moves to the new credit. If you plan to sell, we factor this into the value of your system.
Why daytime use matters with OUC
Under TruNet, a kWh your home uses directly saves you the full retail price. A kWh you export earns about half that. So we design OUC systems to cover your daytime load, not to max out the roof:
- Run the pool pump, laundry, dishwasher and EV charging during sunny hours.
- Pre-cool the house in the afternoon.
- Skip extra panels that would mostly export.
- Consider a battery to store midday solar for the evening.
The OUC battery rebate: read this first
OUC pays $150 per kWh of battery capacity, up to $2,000, as a bill credit. The system must be 20 kW or smaller, connected to OUC, with an automatic transfer switch, OUC-compatible controls and a 10-year warranty. You apply within six months of purchase.
The catch: taking the rebate moves you to the Community Solar Energy Rate. If you are grandfathered at near-retail credit until 2045, the rebate gives that up. For most grandfathered homes, keeping the rate is worth more than $2,000. For new systems already on the lower rate, the rebate is a straight win.
Coming soon on OUC bills
OUC plans a monthly DemandLevel charge of $5, $10 or $15 based on your highest monthly demand, pending PSC approval and listed for November 2026. A battery can help keep your peak lower. The residential customer charge is $18.50 a month.
Interconnection
Tier 1 systems (10 kW AC or less, about 11.76 kW of the DC panels we design with) have no OUC fee. Tier 2 is $340 and Tier 3 is $1,300. After your permit inspection passes, we submit the application through OUC’s online portal with the inspection, a signed itemized invoice and a one-line diagram. OUC then reconfigures your meter and gives permission to operate. The system must be sized for your home’s needs.
Frequently asked questions
Does OUC still offer full retail net metering?
Only for grandfathered accounts that applied before July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2045. Newer systems move to about 5.5¢ per exported kWh on November 1, 2026.
Does grandfathering transfer when I sell my home?
No. A new owner after June 30, 2025 is not grandfathered.
Is solar still worth it with OUC?
Often yes, because solar your home uses directly still saves the full retail price. The design has to match your daytime use, and a battery may help.
Should I take the OUC battery rebate?
If you are on the new credit, usually yes. If you are grandfathered, usually no, because the rebate ends your near-retail credit.
Does St. Cloud follow the same rules?
Yes. OUC serves St. Cloud under the same TruNet terms.
Is Sunstorm Energy part of OUC?
No. Sunstorm Energy is an independent Orlando company and is not affiliated with OUC.
Sources
Important information
Utility rules and rates change. We checked the facts on this page on October 8, 2026, and we confirm your utility’s current rules before we design your system. Savings and backup time depend on your home and usage and are not guaranteed.