Chariot Energy Review | Rates & Deposit (2026)

Chariot Energy gets a lot of attention in Texas because of the solar angle. They market themselves as the clean energy option, and their plans do back your usage with solar credits. Looks good on paper.

But here’s what they don’t lead with: Chariot Energy runs a credit check. And if your credit isn’t where they want it, you’re looking at a deposit. Possibly $200-$350 before your lights even turn on.

If you’re here because you need lights and your credit is complicated, keep reading. We’ll give you the full picture on Chariot, then show you what to do if they say no.

Chariot Energy: The Solar Light Company

Chariot Energy is a Texas retail light company that specializes in solar-backed plans. They’ve been around since 2018, and they’re licensed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Plan types:

• Fixed-rate plans (12, 24, and 36-month terms)
• 100% solar-backed through Renewable Energy Certificates
• Traditional post-paid billing (monthly bill)

What the solar part actually means: You’re still connected to the same Texas grid as everyone else. Chariot buys solar energy credits to match what you use. Your lights don’t go off when it’s cloudy. It’s more about supporting solar energy than powering your home directly from a panel.

If you care about the environment, that’s a real benefit. If you just need lights on, it doesn’t change your day-to-day experience.

Solar Plans Explained: What You’re Actually Getting

People hear “solar” and think panels on the roof. That’s not what Chariot does. Here’s how it works in plain terms.

Chariot buys Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from solar farms. For every unit of power you use, they purchase a certificate proving that same amount of solar energy was generated somewhere in Texas. Your money supports solar farms, but physically, the same electrons flow through the grid to your house regardless.

What this means for you day-to-day: Nothing changes. Your lights work the same. Your bill looks the same. You won’t notice any difference in reliability or power quality. The benefit is environmental: your usage is matched with clean energy production. If that matters to you, Chariot makes it easy without requiring you to install anything.

What this doesn’t do: It doesn’t lower your bill. It doesn’t make you energy independent. It doesn’t protect you during outages. If you’re looking at Chariot purely to save money, the solar angle isn’t the reason to sign up. Their rates are competitive on their own merits.

What Chariot Energy Costs in 2026

Chariot’s rates tend to sit in the middle of the Texas market. Not the cheapest, not the most expensive.

For a typical Texas home using about 1,000 units per month, expect:

Plan Length	Approximate Monthly Cost
12-month fixed	$100-$140
24-month fixed	$95-$135
36-month fixed	$100-$145

These ranges shift based on your service area and which transmission company delivers your power. Rates change frequently, so check current pricing at your ZIP code.

The solar premium used to be significant. In 2026, Chariot’s rates are competitive with conventional plans. You’re not paying much extra for the solar angle anymore.

Can You Get Chariot Without a Deposit?

This is where it matters for a lot of people reading this.

Chariot Energy requires a credit check for every new customer. There’s no way around it with them. No prepaid option. No credit-check-free enrollment.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Good credit (670+): Usually approved with $0 deposit
• Fair credit (580-669): May face a deposit of $150-$250
• Lower credit (below 580): Likely looking at $200-$350 deposit, or possible denial

If they require a deposit, that money gets held for up to 12 months. You get it back eventually (usually as a bill credit), but you have to have it upfront. For someone already stretched thin, $300 is groceries for a month.

Chariot does waive deposits for active-duty military. If you’re currently serving, contact them with your military ID or deployment orders. That’s a real benefit worth knowing about. For more on military-specific options, see our guide for veterans and military families.

The Good and the Not-So-Good

What’s good:

• Solar-backed plans at competitive rates
• Fixed-rate plans lock in your price for up to 3 years
• Military deposit waiver for active-duty
• Licensed and regulated by PUCT
• Decent customer service reputation

What’s not great:

• Credit check required, no exceptions
• No prepaid or pay-as-you-go option
• Deposits can run $200-$350 for lower credit scores
• Limited plan flexibility (no month-to-month)
• If credit is an issue, they can’t help you

Is Chariot Energy Right for You?

Chariot is a solid choice if you have decent credit and want a solar-backed plan at competitive rates. The fixed-rate terms give you price stability, and the military deposit waiver is a genuine benefit for active-duty personnel.

Chariot is not a good fit if your credit is under 600 or you can’t handle a surprise deposit. They don’t offer any path around the credit check.

Your Options If Chariot Wants a Deposit

You’ve got options. More than you think.

Option 1: Let us check other light companies. Every company in Texas sets their own credit threshold. One company might require a $300 deposit from you while another approves you at $0. We check multiple companies at once to find one that works. It takes minutes instead of hours of phone calls.

Many people who get quoted a deposit at one company find a $0 deposit option somewhere else. Can’t guarantee it, but it happens more than you’d expect.

Option 2: Pay-as-you-go lights. If no traditional company approves you without a deposit, pay-as-you-go is always there. No credit check. No deposit. You put down $40-$75 to start (that goes toward your usage, not a deposit), and you’re in.

The trade-off is real: pay-as-you-go costs about $50-$60 more per month than a traditional plan. But you don’t need $300 upfront, and nobody checks your credit. Read our full breakdown of pay-as-you-go vs traditional plans.

Option 3: Try the deposit and get it refunded. If you can afford the deposit, Chariot will typically return it after 12 months of on-time payments. Some people use this as a way to build a payment history, then switch to a cheaper plan later. Our path to traditional plans guide walks through this strategy.

Chariot Energy vs No-Deposit Alternatives

Feature	Chariot Energy	No-Deposit Traditional	Pay-as-you-go
Credit check	Yes	Yes (but we find who approves you)	No
Deposit	$0-$350 depending on credit	$0 (that’s the point)	$0
Monthly cost (1,000 units)	$100-$140	$90-$130	$145-$180
Startup cost	$0 if approved	$0 if approved	$40-$75
Solar option	Yes	Varies by company	No
Same-day lights	No (1-2 business days)	1-2 business days	Often same-day

Final Take on Chariot Energy

Chariot Energy is a decent Texas light company with competitive solar plans. If your credit is solid, they’re worth considering.

But if credit is even a question mark, don’t start with Chariot. Start with us. We’ll check who can approve you at $0 deposit first. If a solar plan is available from another company without a deposit, we’ll find it. If not, you’ll at least know your options before committing to a $300 deposit.

---

Need lights without a credit check? Enter your ZIP code below. We check multiple light companies to find your best no-deposit option. If traditional plans don’t work out, pay-as-you-go gets your lights on today.

Check availability at your address