Green Mountain Energy vs Tara Energy
Quick Verdict
Same wires. Same grid. Same electrons flowing to your house. The only real difference? Who sends you the bill and what they charge.
Since there's no major differentiator, this comes down to price. Check ComparePower for current rates.
What Actually Differs
Green Mountain Energy and Tara Energy deliver the exact same electricity through the exact same wires. The electrons don't care whose logo is on your bill. What differs: the price, the service when something goes wrong, and the fine print in contracts.
Who's Behind These Companies
Green Mountain Energy: Owned by NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG). 29 years in Texas—they've survived enough grid crises to prove they won't fold mid-contract. Based in Houston, Texas.
Tara Energy: Owned by Just Energy Group Inc. (IGS Energy). 24 years in Texas—that track record matters when you're signing a multi-year contract. Based in Houston, Texas.
What They Actually Sell
Green Mountain Energy offers fixed-rate, variable-rate, green, solar-buyback. They sell "green" plans (mostly accounting—same electrons, but they buy renewable credits).
Tara Energy offers fixed-rate, free-nights, free-weekends, green. They sell "green" plans (mostly accounting—same electrons, but they buy renewable credits).
The Money Part
Green Mountain Energy: Deposit depends on credit—expect $200-400 if your score is below 600.
Tara Energy: Deposit depends on credit—expect $200-400 if your score is below 600.
The Honest Answer
Both are legitimate. Neither is a scam. The electricity is identical. What matters is: (1) who's cheaper for your actual usage, (2) whether you need to skip a credit check, and (3) if you care about green marketing. Scroll down to "The Verdict" for the quick answer. For actual rates, check ComparePower. Takes 2 minutes.
See how they compare on price
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Category Breakdown
29 years vs 24—5+ more grid crises survived
Both sell green plans—check who has actual renewable generation backing
Rates change constantly. Check ComparePower with your actual usage.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Green Mountain Energy | Tara Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) | Just Energy Group Inc. (IGS Energy) |
| Years in Texas | 29+ | 24+ |
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas | Houston, Texas |
| Fixed-Rate Plans | ||
| Variable Plans | ||
| Prepaid Options | ||
| Green Energy | ||
| Free Nights/Weekends | ||
| Deposit Required | Conditional | Conditional |
| Credit Check |
Trust & Complaint Data ▼
Trust & Reputation
External ratings comparison
Trust Score is a weighted average: Google (40%), BBB (35%), Trustpilot (25%)
Complaint Comparison
PUCT Data • Jul-Dec 2025
Green Mountain Energy
Tara Energy
Green Mountain Energy has 5.3 fewer complaints per 10k customers
The Verdict
- You want more green plan variety (check if they have actual renewable generation backing)
- You need month-to-month—Tara Energy locks you in for 12 months minimum
- You use power at night (pool pump, EV charging, night owl habits)
- You're part of the South Asian community and want a provider that actually knows your community
- You want free-nights or free-weekends plans with a flat $175 ETF
- You're comparing across the Just Energy family and found a better rate under Tara
Done researching? See actual rates.
Green Mountain Energy or Tara Energy — find out which one is cheaper at your address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should I choose Green Mountain Energy over Tara Energy? ▼
You want more green plan variety (check if they have actual renewable generation backing). You need month-to-month—Tara Energy locks you in for 12 months minimum.
Q: When should I choose Tara Energy over Green Mountain Energy? ▼
You use power at night (pool pump, EV charging, night owl habits). You're part of the South Asian community and want a provider that actually knows your community. You want free-nights or free-weekends plans with a flat $175 ETF. You're comparing across the Just Energy family and found a better rate under Tara.
Q: What is the main difference between Green Mountain Energy and Tara Energy? ▼
Green Mountain Energy leads in track record. Both companies deliver the same electricity through the same grid—the real differences are in pricing, service quality, and available plan types.
Q: Is Green Mountain Energy or Tara Energy cheaper? ▼
Anyone who answers this without knowing your zip code and usage is lying. The "advertised rate" is calculated at exactly 1,000 kWh—use 800 or 1,200 and the math changes completely. Both companies exploit this. Check ComparePower with your actual usage. Takes 2 minutes, and you'll see real numbers instead of marketing.
Q: Which company has been in Texas longer, Green Mountain Energy or Tara Energy? ▼
Green Mountain Energy: 29 years. Tara Energy: 24 years. Similar track records. Both have survived enough Texas summers to prove they won't fold mid-contract.
Q: Which is better for green energy, Green Mountain Energy or Tara Energy? ▼
Both sell "green" plans. But "green" in Texas electricity means they buy renewable energy credits—it's accounting, not physics. Your electrons come from the same grid as everyone else. Want to know which has renewable generation backing versus just buying paper credits? Gexa has NextEra (the largest renewable generator in the US) behind them. Most others just buy credits. That's the difference.
Q: What types of plans do Green Mountain Energy and Tara Energy offer? ▼
Green Mountain Energy: fixed-rate, variable-rate, green, solar-buyback. Tara Energy: fixed-rate, free-nights, free-weekends, green. Similar variety. Both have enough options for most situations.
Q: Which is better overall, Green Mountain Energy or Tara Energy? ▼
Same grid. Same wires. Same electrons. The electricity is literally identical—the only differences are price, service, and plan options. Green Mountain Energy wins if green energy is a real priority, not just a checkbox. Tara Energy wins if you're part of the south asian community and want a provider that actually knows your community. For everyone else? Whoever's cheaper for your usage right now. Check ComparePower—it takes 2 minutes.
More Head-to-Head Matchups
See who wins when Green Mountain Energy and Tara Energy face other competitors.
Featured In Best-Of Lists
See where Green Mountain Energy and Tara Energy are featured in our category guides.
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