Texas Solar Energy Laws

The texas solar energy society is a member of the american solar energy society ases the nation s leading association of solar professionals and advocates.

Texas solar energy laws.

When it comes to solar panels however you have clear legal guidelines on what restrictions your hoa can place on your solar panel project in texas. Although solar access laws have been enacted for some time now here in texas there was one small caveat that was in place that allows hoa s of a smaller size to restrict the installation. Search by keyword or citation. Austin tx and washington d c today the solar industry voiced support for the texas house of representatives for passing a 10 year extension of chapter 312 a section of tax code that enables property tax abatements for companies bringing new investment and jobs to texas.

Texas property code section 202 010. Unless you live in san antonio austin or one of the other texas cities with a municipal electric company you probably have your choice of a number of retail electric providers. Solar power in texas along with wind power has the potential to allow texas to remain an energy exporting state over the long term. Abbott to extend tax abatement program.

Texas has solar access laws in place that block hoa s and poa s from restricting the installation of solar panels. Between december 2016 and december 2017 net solar power generated by texas utilities and small scale solar pv facilities pdf rose by more than 107 percent from 96 000. According to house bill 362 which was signed into law in 2011 the law forbids hoas from prohibiting solar energy installations unless several very specific. Owners association or the association s architectural review committee may not withhold approval for installation of a solar energy device if the provisions of the dedicatory instruments to the extent authorized by.

And the power produced by these installations is increasing rapidly. Solar offers top incentives for homeowners texas net metering. The average homeowner in texas is paying about 129 per month or 1 548 per year for electricity right now. Regulation of solar energy devices.

The western portion of the state especially has abundant open land areas with some of the greatest solar and wind potential in the country. That money goes straight from your pocket to the utility company. Hoas and poas cannot prohibit or restrict a property owner from installing a solar energy device as defined by texas tax code section 171 107. Although texas doesn t have a statewide net metering policy many utilities in the state including el paso electric the city of brenham cps energy and green mountain energy have policies that credit owners of solar energy systems for the electricity that their panels produce.

Texas property code 202 010. Ases is a catalyst and a valuable resource in the emergence and re evolution of america s new energy economy in a way that deeply values the role of all stakeholders in a. Hb 362 amended texas property code section 202 010 as outlined below. The cost of not installing solar in texas.

However the following exceptions do give hoas the power to restrict solar panels if one of the.