Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1697 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	By: Zaffirini, ~~et al.~~ S.B. No. 1697
2		-	~~(VanDeaver)~~
	1	+	By: Zaffirini, Blanco S.B. No. 1697
	2	+	Menéndez
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7	7		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
8	8		AN ACT
9	9		relating to a customer guide to home solar energy devices.
10	10		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
11	11		SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 17, Utilities Code, is
12	12		amended by adding Section 17.011 to read as follows:
13	13		Sec. 17.011. TRANSPARENCY AND BEST PRACTICES GUIDE FOR
14	14		ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS FOR HOMES. (a) In this section, "solar
15	15		energy device" has the meaning assigned by Section 185.001.
16	16		(b) The commission shall develop and periodically update a
17	17		guide to provide customers with:
18	18		(1) basic information, best practices, and guidelines
19	19		to consider when deciding whether to install a solar energy device
20	20		for a home; and
21	21		(2) a list of resources for obtaining more detailed
22	22		information on solar energy devices.
23	23		(c) The guide must include the following information:
24	24		(1) suggested questions to ask the electric
25	25		cooperative, electric utility, municipally owned utility, or
26	26		retail electric provider that serves the customer about services
27	27		relating to home solar energy devices, including whether the
28	28		cooperative, utility, or provider:
29	29		(A) offers net metering or a buyback program for
30	30		excess power put onto the grid by a solar energy device;
31	31		(B) provides rebates or incentives for the
32	32		installation of a solar energy device; and
33	33		(C) can clearly identify the services related to
34	34		home solar energy devices it does or does not provide;
35	35		(2) design elements of solar energy devices to
36	36		consider for maximizing efficiency, including:
37	37		(A) the condition, direction, orientation, and
38	38		tilt of the roof on which the device is installed;
39	39		(B) shade analysis;
40	40		(C) square footage of the roof; and
41	41		(D) maintenance requirements;
42	42		(3) financial considerations for customers
43	43		considering installing a solar energy device, including:
44	44		(A) financing options, including the costs and
45	45		benefits of purchasing or leasing a solar energy device;
46	46		(B) estimations of the appropriate size of a
47	47		solar energy device system in relation to home size and power needs;
48	48		(C) federal and state tax credits;
49	49		(D) continuing costs, including fees, interest
50	50		rates, and costs of regular maintenance and repairs; and
51	51		(E) the expected life of different types of solar
52	52		energy devices; and
53	53		(4) a contact telephone number and e-mail address for
54	54		an employee or division of the commission who can provide customers
55	55		with information about solar energy devices in this state.
56	56		(d) The commission shall publish the guide on the
57	57		commission's Internet website.
58	58		(e) For at least 12 months after the commission publishes
59	59		each version of the guide, each electric utility that issues a bill
60	60		directly to a customer for any electric product or service and each
61	61		electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, and retail
62	62		electric provider shall:
63	63		(1) include a link to the guide on the utility's,
64	64		cooperative's, or provider's Internet website; and
65	65		(2) provide information about accessing the guide with
66	66		each bill.
67	67		SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.