Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service) and solar
Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service) is an investor-owned utility serving about 324,888 homes in Texas, New Mexico. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is a close call.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 14.1¢12% below Texas average
- Typical bill
- $134948 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~43%No statewide net metering
- Typical payback
- 14.9 yrs3.3 kW, cash
Export rules for Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service) customers
No statewide net metering (Texas rule).
Texas has no statewide net metering. In the deregulated ERCOT market you pick a retail electricity provider, and a few offer 'solar buyback' plans (typically 3-9 c/kWh, some match retail). Municipal utilities and co-ops set their own rules, e.g., Austin Energy's Value of Solar credit.
Solar for a typical Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service) home
| System | 3.3 kW (50% of 948 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $10,430 |
| First-year savings | $684 |
| Payback | 14.9 years |
| 25-year net | $9,400 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Questions about Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service) and solar
Does Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service) have net metering?
Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service) follows Texas's rules: Texas has no statewide net metering. In the deregulated ERCOT market you pick a retail electricity provider, and a few offer 'solar buyback' plans (typically 3-9 c/kWh, some match retail). Municipal utilities and co-ops set their own rules, e.g., Austin Energy's Value of Solar credit.
How much does electricity cost with Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service)?
Residential customers paid an average of 13.6¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 14.1¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 948 kWh a month, a bill of about $134.
Is solar worth it with Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service)?
For a typical customer, solar is a close call: a 3.3 kW system costing about $10,430 pays back in about 14.9 years, with $9,400 net over 25 years.
How many Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service) customers have solar?
About 2,240 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 0.7% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: Southwestern Public Service Co (EIA ID 17718). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.