Before January 1, 2002, you couldn’t choose your electricity provider in Texas. Your area had only one provider — the utility company for your area — and that’s who sold you electricity. It didn’t matter if you wanted solar energy, because you only got what the utility company was selling, and it was typically electricity from fossil fuels. In business-speak, that’s called a monopoly, and it’s precisely what the Texas Senate wanted to break up in order to promote lower electricity prices for consumers.
This is what everyone refers to as electricity deregulation, and it’s the very reason why Chariot Energy can exist! Deregulation allows us to provide 100% solar energy plans to those who want to make a difference without paying a “green” premium. Thanks to deregulation, energy companies like ours are changing the way power is made and sold in Texas — for good.
Source: ERCOT
Map of the Deregulated Areas in Texas
Today, approximately 85% of Texans live in a deregulated service area and can pick their electricity provider. Yes, that means 15% of the Lone Star State remains regulated by electric cooperatives, investors or municipalities, including big cities like Austin and San Antonio. But for everyone else, they have the power to choose their retail electric provider, the kind of power they purchase (such as solar), and even their electric rate.
So, how do you know if you’re in a deregulated area of Texas? Well, you don’t have to look far. We’ve created a list of every deregulated city in Texas — all 390 of them! If you spot your city down below, you can pick your energy company.
To learn more about how you can do that, start with our guide on shopping for electricity in Texas.
You will always have a reliable, affordable, and all-solar option with Chariot Energy. Check out our plans page to see our reasonable rates in your area.
