The commission must create, update, and publish a solar energy information guide, and covered utilities must link to it and explain how to access it on bills for at least 12 months after each publication.
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. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 18 (S.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER B. CERTIFICATION, REGISTRATION, AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS