bill ordering a Public Utility Commission guide to home solar

The text as introduced · 469 words

89R4662 SCR-D

By: VanDeaver
H.B. No. 1640

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a customer guide to home solar energy devices.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 17, Utilities Code, is

amended by adding Section 17.011 to read as follows:

Sec. 17.011. TRANSPARENCY AND BEST PRACTICES GUIDE FOR

ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS FOR HOMES. (a) In this section, "solar

energy device" has the meaning assigned by Section 185.001.

(b) The commission shall develop and periodically update a

guide to provide customers with:

(1) basic information, best practices, and guidelines

to consider when deciding whether to install a solar energy device

for a home; and

(2) a list of resources for obtaining more detailed

information on solar energy devices.

(c) The guide must include the following information:

(1) suggested questions to ask the electric

cooperative, electric utility, municipally owned utility, or

retail electric provider that serves the customer about services

relating to home solar energy devices, including whether the

cooperative, utility, or provider:

(A) offers net metering or a buyback program for

excess power put onto the grid by a solar energy device;

(B) provides rebates or incentives for the

installation of a solar energy device; and

(C) can clearly identify the services related to

home solar energy devices it does or does not provide;

(2) design elements of solar energy devices to

consider for maximizing efficiency, including:

(A) the condition, direction, orientation, and

tilt of the roof on which the device is installed;

(B) shade analysis;

(C) square footage of the roof; and

(D) maintenance requirements;

(3) financial considerations for customers

considering installing a solar energy device, including:

(A) financing options, including the costs and

benefits of purchasing or leasing a solar energy device;

(B) estimations of the appropriate size of a

solar energy device system in relation to home size and power needs;

(C) federal and state tax credits;

(D) continuing costs, including fees, interest

rates, and costs of regular maintenance and repairs; and

(E) the expected life of different types of solar

energy devices; and

(4) a contact telephone number and e-mail address for

an employee or division of the commission who can provide customers

with information about solar energy devices in this state.

(d) The commission shall publish the guide on the

commission's Internet website.

(e) For at least 12 months after the commission publishes

each version of the guide, each electric utility that issues a bill

directly to a customer for any electric product or service and each

electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, and retail

electric provider shall:

(1) include a link to the guide on the utility's,

cooperative's, or provider's Internet website; and

(2) provide information about accessing the guide with

each bill.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.