Solar Energy Push Heating Up in Texas

Solar energy is a hot issue in the Texas Legislature this session, if the volume of bills on that topic is any indication.

Dozens of bills dealing with solar energy are currently winding their way through the Texas Legislature. Most are concerned with providing incentives or removing barriers to homeowners or businesses that want to invest in solar energy technology.

Megan Quinn, an associate attorney at Jackson Walker LLP in San Antonio, has been following key solar legislation this session on behalf of clients in the building industry who are looking to take advantage of federal stimulus money set aside to promote development of alternative energy infrastructure.

Quinn says that Texas is setting itself up as a leader in the use of solar energy as an alternative energy resource, the same way it did with wind energy.

“Solar is going to be the next major player in renewable energy in Texas,” Quinn says. “And Texas is leading the way for other states across the country.”

Quinn has identified several bills that she says are of particular interest to her clients. They include:

• HB 1697 sponsored by Rep. Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco, which sets certain goals for the state to create incentives on solar power generation to be administered by the electric utility companies. Quinn says this bill is significant because people would use it to hold the state accountable for the promises it makes on promoting solar energy.

• HB 1417 sponsored by Rep. David Liebowitz, D-San Antonio, creates an exemption from sales tax for the purchase of certain renewable energy systems and related equipment. The exemption would be contingent on an agreement that any excess energy produced by the solar system would be shared and would go back on to the electrical grid.

• HB 798 sponsored by Rep. Eddie Lucio III, D-San Benito, is one of several bills that would prevent homeowners associations from setting rules that would prohibit homeowners from installing solar energy equipment on their houses. Quinn says this is an issue that must have come up in a number of areas because it has been addressed in several pieces of legislation.

• HB 1980 sponsored by Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, would require the state to include solar energy devices in any new construction or newly acquired state buildings, including school facilities.

Quinn says it is difficult to determine the status of any of the bills at this stage, noting that, in the past, bills that seemed to be stalled in committee have moved quickly through the process. “None of these bills have made significant progress out of committee yet,” she says. “However, they are not dead yet by any means.”

Ten year effort
William Sinkin, chairman of Solar San Antonio, a nonprofit advocacy and resource center for renewable and sustainable energy applications, says his group is at the apex of a 10-year effort to awaken San Antonio to the potential and promise of alternative energy. “I think we are ready to become the leading city in Texas with respect to solar energy,” Sinkin says. “I’m optimistic about the direction the city is going. The mayor has been a strong supporter of our efforts.”
Sinkin says local efforts combined with legislation in Austin are providing a wonderful opportunity for San Antonio to step into a leadership position on this issue. He says San Antonio’s recent designation as a Solar City is another example of progress in this area.
Last month, San Antonio was named as a U.S. Department of Energy Solar America City, which means that the city will be eligible to receive financial and technical assistance to fund solar-energy initiatives that could serve as a model for other cities. Mayor Phil Hardberger says the city is committed to implementing solar energy technologies and programs and welcomes the support from the Department of Energy.

“I am proud that our city is being recognized for our leadership in the planning and implementation of clean and renewable solar technology at the local level,” Hardberger says.