Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1640 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		89R4662 SCR-D
2	2		By: VanDeaver H.B. No. 1640
	3	+
	4	+
3	5
4	6
5	7		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	8		AN ACT
7	9		relating to a customer guide to home solar energy devices.
8	10		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
9	11		SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 17, Utilities Code, is
10	12		amended by adding Section 17.011 to read as follows:
11	13		Sec. 17.011. TRANSPARENCY AND BEST PRACTICES GUIDE FOR
12	14		ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS FOR HOMES. (a) In this section, "solar
13	15		energy device" has the meaning assigned by Section 185.001.
14	16		(b) The commission shall develop and periodically update a
15	17		guide to provide customers with:
16	18		(1) basic information, best practices, and guidelines
17	19		to consider when deciding whether to install a solar energy device
18	20		for a home; and
19	21		(2) a list of resources for obtaining more detailed
20	22		information on solar energy devices.
21	23		(c) The guide must include the following information:
22	24		(1) suggested questions to ask the electric
23	25		cooperative, electric utility, municipally owned utility, or
24	26		retail electric provider that serves the customer about services
25	27		relating to home solar energy devices, including whether the
26	28		cooperative, utility, or provider:
27	29		(A) offers net metering or a buyback program for
28	30		excess power put onto the grid by a solar energy device;
29	31		(B) provides rebates or incentives for the
30	32		installation of a solar energy device; and
31	33		(C) can clearly identify the services related to
32	34		home solar energy devices it does or does not provide;
33	35		(2) design elements of solar energy devices to
34	36		consider for maximizing efficiency, including:
35	37		(A) the condition, direction, orientation, and
36	38		tilt of the roof on which the device is installed;
37	39		(B) shade analysis;
38	40		(C) square footage of the roof; and
39	41		(D) maintenance requirements;
40	42		(3) financial considerations for customers
41	43		considering installing a solar energy device, including:
42	44		(A) financing options, including the costs and
43	45		benefits of purchasing or leasing a solar energy device;
44	46		(B) estimations of the appropriate size of a
45	47		solar energy device system in relation to home size and power needs;
46	48		(C) federal and state tax credits;
47	49		(D) continuing costs, including fees, interest
48	50		rates, and costs of regular maintenance and repairs; and
49	51		(E) the expected life of different types of solar
50	52		energy devices; and
51	53		(4) a contact telephone number and e-mail address for
52	54		an employee or division of the commission who can provide customers
53	55		with information about solar energy devices in this state.
54	56		(d) The commission shall publish the guide on the
55	57		commission's Internet website.
56	58		(e) For at least 12 months after the commission publishes
57	59		each version of the guide, each electric utility that issues a bill
58	60		directly to a customer for any electric product or service and each
59	61		electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, and retail
60	62		electric provider shall:
61	63		(1) include a link to the guide on the utility's,
62	64		cooperative's, or provider's Internet website; and
63	65		(2) provide information about accessing the guide with
64	66		each bill.
65	67		SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.