|
|
|
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. |