HB1640 - Relating to a customer guide to home solar energy devices.

  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.