TCE - Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TX)

Texas Utility Interconnection & net metering rules

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Net Metering AllowedNo
NEM TypeN/A
Supply Side Taps AllowedNo
Line Taps AllowedNo
Load Taps AllowedNo
AC Disconnect RequiredYes

Net metering & export

Net Metering Allowed
No
NEM Type
N/A
TOU Utility
No
Post Solar Billing Method
Export Rate
Solar Export Type
Avoided Cost
Solar Export Value Notes
Avoided cost changes monthly - posted on their website at the beginning of each month
Net Excess Generation Notes

TCEC will compensate Members for exported power based on its prescribed tariff, which may be updated from time to time (avoided cost changes monthly, for Feb 2025 it's $0.0975/kWh - this is posted on their website at the beginning of each month). Credit can't be use to lower the "Fixed Monthly Charges", excess credit will roll-over to the next billing period.

Rebates Offered
No
Deregulated
No
Allows Standby
No

Interconnection & taps

Approval Req To Install
Yes
Supply Side Taps Allowed
No
Line Taps Allowed
No
Load Taps Allowed
No
Tap Criteria
  • Tri-County does not allow any piercing taps connected between the meter and the main service breaker. This includes no line side taps.

Approved POI

  • Installation behind a breaker in the home’s breaker panel
  • Installation of double lugs on the load side of the meter can (Must have a fused disconnect and provide fuse size, type, speed, and class on the drawing)
Automatic Transformer Upgrade Size
0
Meter Aggregation Allowed
No

System size & offset

System Size Restrictions
50
System Size Restriction Type
AC kW
System Size Battery Included
No
System Size Includes Existing Systems
No
Offset Type
No Restrictions
Offset Value
0
Offset Calculation Period
0
Industry Standard Watts Sqft
2
Inverter Oversize Restrictions
No
System Offset Notes


Offset Calc Tool
PV Watts

Metering & disconnect

Production Meter Required
No
Production Meter Position
N/A
Production Meter Labeling
N/A
AC Disconnect Required
Yes
AC Disconnect Labeling
Visible Lockable Labeled Disconnect
Allowed Meter Adapter
None

Plans & docs

Site Plan Reqs
  • Site Plan must show nearest Road to installation site
  • Informational: AC disconnect must be within 6' of utility meter
  • Utility meter location must be shown. Leader or legend is accepted.
SLD Reqs

Standard Jobs

  • PV Panels -> Inverter -> Disconnect -> Utility Meter
  • Production meter NOT required


  • AC DISCONNECT:
  • Visible load break disconnect switch required
  • Systems with an installed battery must install an automatic disconnect
  • Conductors must end in a breaker or fuses not in mlo lugs in the panel
  • If there is an existing Tesla Gateway, the AC Disconnect must be between Tri County meter and the Tesla Gateway
  • Example with Tesla Gateway: staff (377032) ()


  • Facilities ≤ 15 kW
  • The facility will be net-metered by one of the following methods, at the sole discretion of the Cooperative.
  • (1) Installing a single meter that measures energy flow in both directions or
  • (2) Installing two meters, each measuring the flow of energy in a single direction and netting the energy consumption between the two meters to determine the net monthly flow of energy | Total DG Output (kW) is based on aggregate inverter output (AC output)

Battery Jobs

  • Fireman's Disco required between UM and Gateway. If there is an MSP, the disco needs to be between MSP and Gateway. All equipment is to be located behind one AC disconnect
  • Sub Feed Lug or Lug Kit to feed Tesla Gateway is NOT ALLOWED.
  • Tri-County allows the following interconnection methods:
  • Installation using a back-fed breaker in the home’s breaker panel. (Use 200A branch breaker in MSP if needed. Eaton BJ2200)
  • If batteries are part of the design, any inverter associated with the battery must be included as part of the Total DG Output
Electric Service Reqs


Install Reqs

Member’s DG installation will generate power at a frequency within the tolerances as defined by IEEE 1547. Member’s DG facility shall be in accordance with the power quality limits specified in IEEE 519. Tri-County does not allow any taps connected between the meter and the main service breaker. The system must be connected on the load side of the main panel.

Equipment Approvals
California Energy Commission
Meter Num Req SLD 3LD
No
ESID Num Req SLD 3LD
No
Rate Schedule Link
link
Website
link
Phone
(817) 752-8119

Other details

Revision Required
Yes
Mod Swap Requires Planset
Yes
Compiled from public records, 2026. Tariffs and interconnection rules change; verify with TCE - Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TX) before you rely on this. The useful move: if an installer says you need a main panel upgrade, ask how these tap and interconnection policies were considered first.