BEC Smart Battery Program – Now Available to All Members!
You asked for it, and BEC delivered.
The Smart Battery Program is designed to give members added peace of mind during weather-related outages, this program brings dependable home backup within reach for more households than ever before.
With a simple application process and no upfront costs, you can secure reliable home backup support for just $36.99/month, conveniently added to your regular electric bill.
With the Smart Battery Program, BEC members can enjoy:
✅ Reliable Backup Power – Keep your home powered during weather-related outages.
✅ No Upfront Costs – Just a simple monthly lease of $36.99.
✅ Grid & Solar Charging – Batteries can be charged by the grid or existing solar (if applicable).
✅ Strengthening the Texas Grid – By deploying distributed energy storage, this program enhances grid resiliency and reliability, reducing strain during peak demand periods.
✅ Economic Benefits for All Members – By helping BEC better manage energy demand, the program supports more stable electricity rates and cost savings across the cooperative.
Through this program, BEC will lease and manage energy storage systems for its members, allowing them to maintain power during weather-related emergencies while also contributing to a stronger, more reliable Texas energy grid.
How It Works to Purchase & Sell Energy
Purchasing Energy – Importing Electricity from the Grid
When your home consumption exceeds your solar capacity, you may need to draw power from the grid, and you will be charged on bill at the retail rate.
Selling Energy – Exporting to Grid or Battery from Excess Solar
When you export electricity, you are selling back to BEC at the avoided cost rate, and the credited amount will be reflected on your bill. If you export to the battery, the excess power will be stored and used towards BEC’s ADER program and for weather related power outages.
Lighten the Load on the Texas Grid using BEC’s ADER Program
During peak energy events, BEC will have the ability to discharge the battery onto the electric grid, but the stored power will first cover the load of the home to which it is connected. The Cooperative will never deplete a member’s battery. BEC is currently providing a monthly credit to these members until a rate can be established.
Smart Battery Program Frequently Asked Questions
No, you do not need to have a solar system to participate, but you must own the home/property. The Smart Battery Program is available to members with solar and non-solar accounts.
Participants are required to commit to a minimum of 10 years in the program, with the option to extend for another 5 years. There is mechanism to exit the program if the member is dissatisfied with it.
Yes, members can opt out, but there is a termination fee before or after installation once an agreement is signed. After installation, you may opt out by paying the termination fee: BEC can either remove the batteries, or the member can sign a contract to purchase the batteries at retail price to take over complete control of the battery system.
Yes, members can opt out by paying a termination fee and sign a contract to purchase the batteries at retail price to take over complete control of the battery system.
Yes. If you have an Enphase Battery System, you can sign up for our Bring Your Own Battery Program. Bandera Electric will pay you $50 per kW of enrolled capacity each year.
While BEC maintains full control of the battery, a smart switch will automatically grant you access during a grid outage, ensuring your battery is available when needed.
Under the Smart Battery Program, Members should not rely on the batteries to cause a reduction in their monthly electric bill as the homeowner will only have access to them during a weather-related power outage.
The duration varies and depends on several factors, including the household loads and the available battery capacity. In the event of an outage during sunny periods, solar power can supply energy to the home during the day, while the battery takes over to power the home in the evening hours.
BEC will require the same level of access to your home as needed for Apolloware, electric, and fiber maintenance.
Batteries have the capability to charge from the grid in case there is insufficient solar energy production.
There are automations in place to prepare the batteries for a storm if a weather-related event is issued by the National Weather Service. BEC will also prioritize member resiliency over grid services. Additionally, on high-demand days, BEC will utilize 80% of the battery’s capacity to support the grid while ensuring 20% remains available for the member’s use, maintaining a balance between system stability and individual energy security.
BEC owns and manages the battery, handling all maintenance and warranty-related work.
If BEC is unable to access the batteries for the program, access must be restored within 30 days upon notice by BEC to avoid any additional fees as described in the Member Early Termination section of the contract.
BEC recommends including the batteries on your homeowners insurance policy while participating in the Smart Battery Program.
The solar panels are not part of the Smart Battery Program, however the batteries must be able to charge completely to be able to stay on the program and avoid Member Early Termination section of the contract.
There would be a cost of removing and re-installing the equipment that will be assessed on a case-by-case basis along with a timeframe that this must be completed to avoid termination fees.
If BEC is unable to access the batteries for the program, access must be restored within 30 days upon notice by BEC to avoid any additional fees as described in the Member Early Termination section of the contract.
Currently, participants in the pilot program cannot integrate a generator into the system.
No, participant data will be private and protected by the same cyber protocols as meter data.
In the News
Read more about this innovative new program.
