TECO (Tampa Electric) in 2026: rates, fixed charge and net metering

Tampa Electric (TECO) serves Hillsborough and parts of Pasco, Pinellas and Polk. For the solar energy subscription, TECO qualifies as a utility, but only the part of its territory within about 50 miles of Orlando counts. In 2026 its per-kWh charges added up to about 15.9¢ through August and about 13.9¢ after, before taxes. Its net metering credits 1-to-1.

Who does TECO serve?

Tampa Electric serves about 870,000 customers across 2,000 square miles: all of Hillsborough and parts of Pasco, Pinellas and Polk, according to its service area page. Most of that territory is in the Tampa Bay area, outside Central Florida.

What matters here is Polk. In Polk County, TECO, Duke Energy and municipal utilities such as Lakeland Electric all operate. In Davenport and Haines City the utility is usually Duke. If you live in Polk and your bill says Tampa Electric, we check whether your address falls inside the area.

Does TECO qualify for the solar energy subscription?

Yes, with a distance condition. The subscription accepts TECO, Duke and FPL customers, as long as the home is within about 50 miles of Orlando. Municipals and co-ops do not qualify.

The other requirements: single-family home in your name, shingle roof with useful life left, at least 12 months of usage at that home, little shade, and a soft credit check that does not affect your score. If you qualify, you save at least 30% on your total bill, guaranteed in writing, for 3 or 5 years. Details in how the solar subscription works.

How much does TECO charge per kWh in 2026?

The official approved rate sheet for January 2026 breaks down the standard residential (RS) rate like this:

The totals are our own math on the published components; gross receipts tax, municipal taxes and franchise fee are not included. TECO reported that the 1,000 kWh bill rose $8.88 in January 2026 and that the storm surcharge ended in August 2026. What each line means: how to read your TECO bill.

Does TECO have a minimum charge?

There is no separate minimum charge on the 2026 rate sheet, unlike the $30 at FPL and Duke. What you always pay is the daily Basic Service Charge plus taxes and franchise fee. Your bill never reaches zero. More in the utility minimum charge explained.

Heads up: TECO not having a separate minimum charge today does not mean it cannot ask for one in a future rate case. FPL and Duke got theirs in 2021 agreements. We tell you as it is: this can change.

How does net metering work with TECO?

Tampa Electric puts it in one sentence: the extra you generate goes to the grid and you get a credit based on your energy rate. Your bill shows kWh Delivered (what TECO gave you) and kWh Received (what you sent), and they net out. The rest comes from PSC Rule 25-6.065:

• Monthly credit: surplus kWh is credited to the next month.
• Annual true-up: at year end, unused credits are paid at a rate based on TECO’s COG-1. It is not much.
• Tiers and fees: Tier 1 (10 kW AC or less) no fee; Tier 2 $250; Tier 3 $500.
• Insurance: Tier 2 at least $1,000,000; Tier 3 at least $2,000,000.
• Timeline: up to 30 days from a complete application, plus inspection; failed visit $37.

In the subscription, the installation team handles interconnection. The full version is in net metering in Florida.

Does TECO have a time-of-use rate?

It has Energy Planner (RSVP-1), with prices by time of day and energy at 8.462¢/kWh on the January 2026 sheet. But TECO says it plainly: it is not available to net-metered customers. When the bidirectional meter goes in, you move to the RS rate. If you are on Energy Planner today, any comparison should be against the RS rate.

How do I download my TECO bill?

Go to account.tecoenergy.com with your account number. There you see the bill, turn on paperless and check your usage history. To check whether you qualify, we need your last 12 months. Start with the diagnosis.

When solar with TECO does NOT make sense

• Your home is in Tampa or Hillsborough: the subscription does not reach you; you would weigh buying, a loan or a lease.
• You are on Energy Planner and already save with nighttime habits: you lose the plan when you connect.
• Your roof is tile or metal, or has unrepaired storm damage: roof first. See solar and hurricanes in Florida.
• Someone promises “your bill goes to zero”: it does not.

What to check before deciding

• The logo on your bill and your home’s distance from Orlando.
• That any proposal uses the September 2026 rate onward, without the 1.995¢ surcharge.
• If you are on Energy Planner, that the comparison is against the RS rate.
• Your 12 bills: real monthly usage, not a neighborhood average.
• If you qualify for the subscription, compare it against buying with the same 12 months.