By Patrice “Pete” Parsons, TXSES Executive Director
We have had articles on this topic in the past, but with all the recent press, I feel compelled to address the issue of consumer protection again. Solar in Texas has seen explosive growth in the last few years, and Texas Solar Energy Society recognizes that while there have been unfortunate incidents in which consumers received unethical treatment, we have an opportunity to build consumer confidence in critical home solar and battery solutions.
TXSES, along with our Business Members & partners, are working to ensure families and businesses have the confidence in our industry solutions. Part of this effort has been working on a consumer protection bill filed in the current Texas legislative session. New policy can help the growth of our industry and build consumer trust.
On Jan. 31st, Senator Zaffirini (D-21) filed SB 1036, the Residential Solar Retailer Regulatory Act, which will regulate residential solar retail transactions by requiring an registration for solar salespersons and installers, authorizing fees, and providing a path for civil and administrative penalties for those bad actors.
TXSES, in collaboration with trusted installers, AARP, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations, and the Texas Solar Storage Association (formally Texas Solar Power Association), have joined forces to provide input on this solid consumer protection bill. We thank all our partners involved who have already been walking the halls of the Capitol to promote it to legislators.
We are working closely with the Senator’s office to be sure that consumers get the protection they need and the confidence they deserve, while at the same time ensuring this supports a growing residential solar industry.
In the Texas House, Representative VanDeaver submitted HB 1640, which we also support, calling for the creation of a guide called, “The Transparency and Best Practices Guide for Rooftop Solar Systems for Homes.” The guide would “provide customers with current information, best practices and guidelines to consider when deciding whether to install a rooftop solar system for their home,” and would be posted to the commission’s website and provided to utility providers electric utilities. We think this guide would be a great resource for those homeowners wanting to adopt solar.
Why Consider Going Solar?
There have been many articles in the press recently about the solar industry that are failing to identify the actual reasons togo solar. Aside from the obvious environmental benefits of using clean energy, the opportunity to reduce your electric bill can be a huge factor, especially during Texas’s increasingly hot summers & cold winters. Resiliency during the increasingly prevalent extreme weather events we experience in Texas is also an added benefit when you add storage to your system. To that end, you’ll also be contributing to grid stability as you provide much needed power to the grid during extreme weather events.
How to Choose an Installer
The Texas Solar Energy Society wants to stress that unethical practices are not the norm for solar businesses in Texas. However, consumers should protect themselves by doing their due diligence before giving the green light to a solar installer. Remember the old adage, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Here are some simple steps to start:
- Always get bids from at least three different solar installers.
- Use a certified or accredited installer. If you have any doubts about their certification, you can always call the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.
- Check reviews and referrals. (If you have questions about an installer, contact me at pparsons@txses.org or visit our website and take a look at our Business Members. We vet all of our members who are installers and require them to sign our Code of Conduct and Ethical Requirements).
See more steps to protect yourself on our website: Choosing an Installer: 10 Things to Know.