OUC TruNet Solar in 2026: Why Export Credits, Self-Consumption and Batteries Matter

Orlando Utilities Commission is in the middle of a major change to rooftop-solar compensation.

For new systems and transferred accounts, the question is no longer only, “How much will the panels produce?” The more important questions are:

• How much solar will the home use immediately?
• How much will be exported?
• What rate will OUC pay for those exports?
• Will the homeowner add battery storage?
• Is the account grandfathered?
• Could a future account-holder change affect compensation?

Quick answer: OUC grandfathered qualifying legacy rooftop-solar accounts at full retail through June 30, 2045. New interconnections after June 30, 2025, and later account-holder changes follow a transition schedule. OUC currently states that the temporary full-retail grace period continues through fall 2026, after which exports are credited at the community solar energy rate through June 30, 2030, and at the retail levelized fuel rate beginning July 1, 2030.

OUC’s current TruNet timeline

OUC’s program is changing. Review the current OUC terms before making a decision.

Grandfathering belongs to the account situation, not just the panels

OUC says qualifying existing rooftop systems retain full-retail treatment through June 30, 2045. However, a home sold or rented after June 30, 2025, generally does not pass the legacy full-retail rate to the new account holder.

That affects:

• Home-sale conversations
• Property valuation discussions
• Solar agreement transfers
• Buyer expectations
• Savings calculations for a purchaser of an existing solar home

A seller should not tell a buyer that the property automatically retains the seller’s export rate.

OUC does state that a transfer to a surviving spouse is treated differently under its FAQ. Any unusual account change should be confirmed directly with OUC.

What changes after fall 2026?

Before the transition, OUC has used a solar bank and true-up process.

OUC says that after fall 2026:

• The solar bank will be removed.
• Exported generation will receive a dollar credit in the month it is received.
• No additional annual true-ups will be needed under the new structure.

That change makes the export rate and self-consumption profile more visible. One kilowatt-hour used directly inside the home can avoid a retail purchase. One kilowatt-hour exported may receive a lower credit.

Why self-consumption matters with OUC

Self-consumption means using solar power in the home at the same time it is produced.

Examples include:

• Running a variable-speed pool pump during the day
• Scheduling the dishwasher and laundry for solar hours
• Charging an EV in late morning or afternoon when practical
• Pre-cooling the home before the evening peak
• Heating water during solar production
• Using smart controls to coordinate flexible loads

The goal is not to make the home uncomfortable. It is to move flexible energy use into the hours when the solar system is already producing.

Should an OUC customer oversize the solar system?

Not automatically.

A design that exports a large percentage of annual production may be less attractive after the lower export-credit schedule takes effect.

The correct analysis should estimate:

• Total annual production
• Monthly production
• Immediate onsite use
• Monthly exports
• Evening and overnight imports
• Current and future export-credit values
• Remaining OUC charges
• Battery charging and discharging
• Expected household changes

A production-only proposal is not enough.

OUC interconnection fees

OUC currently lists these fees by AC gross power rating:

Tier 2 and Tier 3 applications also require additional documentation, including proof of insurance under OUC’s current process.

OUC battery rebate

OUC currently advertises a battery-storage rebate of:

• $150 per kilowatt-hour of nameplate storage capacity
• Up to $2,000 per service address

The current requirements include:

• The solar array must be 20 kW or smaller.
• The system needs a disconnect and automatic transfer switch.
• The battery must support future utility integration or dispatch capability.
• The battery must be permanently installed and paired with an OUC-approved interconnected solar array.
• The warranty must meet OUC’s current requirement.
• The applicant must submit itemized documentation.

The critical tradeoff

OUC says that accepting the battery rebate requires the customer to forfeit eligibility for the TruNet full-retail export rate. Exported energy is then credited under the lower TruNet schedule.

That means a grandfathered full-retail customer should not evaluate the rebate as “free money.” The homeowner should compare:

• Rebate value
• Export-credit value being surrendered
• Expected annual exports
• Remaining term of grandfathering
• Battery cost
• Backup value
• Self-consumption benefit
• Home-sale plans

The lost export value could be more important than the rebate for some customers.

OUC and home-sale planning

Before a property sale, review these transfer questions:

• Who owns the system?
• Is there a lease or Solar as a Service agreement?
• What must a buyer assume or qualify for?
• What happens to the OUC export rate after the account changes?
• Does the financial model assume the current owner remains for the full term?
• Is there a buyout option?
• Which party handles transfer paperwork?

This is especially important in OUC territory because account-holder timing can change export compensation.

Frequently asked questions

Does OUC still offer full-retail net metering?

Eligible legacy systems are grandfathered through June 30, 2045. Newer interconnections currently receive a temporary grace period through fall 2026, followed by lower export-credit schedules.

Will the grandfathered rate transfer when the home is sold?

OUC says a new account holder after June 30, 2025, generally receives the rate in effect when the new account is activated rather than the seller’s grandfathered rate.

Is the OUC battery rebate automatically a good deal?

No. Accepting the rebate requires forfeiting eligibility for the full-retail export rate. The tradeoff must be modeled.

Will a battery eliminate the OUC bill?

No. A battery has finite capacity and efficiency losses. The home may still import power, and fixed or other charges may remain.

Is Sunstorm affiliated with OUC?

No. Sunstorm Energy is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OUC.