Going solar in Utah

Denton Municipal Electric (DME) had offered rebates on an ongoing basis; however, as of December 2020 funding for solar rebates has been exhausted with the program now suspended. Interested parties should continue to monitor the program, since it is expected that additional funding could be provided again in October 2021. The rebate is offered to DME electric customers for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heating systems. The solar rebates are designed primarily for residential and small commercial customers to include existing improvements and new constructions.

In 2003, the Dallas City Council signed a resolution into law requiring all newly planned municipal buildings in excess of 10,000 feet must conform to U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification standards. This ordinance was subsequently updated to ensure newly constructed buildings comply with the 2006 bond program to LEED Gold Certification. In December 2005, the Jack Evans Police Headquarters was the first building to attain LEED Silver Certification. By 2015, Dallas had constructed 26 LEED-certified facilities.

The TNMP SCORE/CitySmart program is designed to assist education and local government facilities identify opportunities to increase energy efficiency in their existing and newly-planned facilities. The program’s aim is to help government facilities discover financial incentives to aid in implementing their energy-efficient projects. Funded by TNMP, SCORE/CitySmart program is available at no cost to its participants. Similarly, Commercial Solutions, also funded by TNMP, helps commercial enterprises other than schools and governments find a diversity of solutions to their high energy costs. This program is similarly free to those who are eligible and choose to participate.

Under Texas statutes, if it becomes necessary for a utility to construct a line extension for its customer and requires of the customer a pre-payment charge, a Contribution in Aid to Construction (CIAC), or a signed commitment to one-year contract term or greater, the utility must supply the customer with information about on-site renewable energy and distributed generation (DG) technology as an alternative. This must necessarily be provided at the time of any pre-payment or estimate on the part of the CIAC. Furthermore, this material provided must adhere to the guideline as set forth by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT), and the information has to be supplied before any contract of a year or longer is signed.

Height limitations exemptions for solar installations are found in Zoning Code (Chapter 25-2) of the Austin City Code. Solar installations, in some cases, may exceed the maximum zoning district height by 15% or the amount necessary to remain in compliance with either federal or state regulation, whichever is greater. This element of the Zoning Code also provides for preservation plans in designated historical districts to incorporate energy-efficient upgrades to the home’s energy generation and delivery systems.

Texas companies that solely and exclusively manufacture, sell, or install solar or wind-based energy devices are exempt from the franchise tax. The franchise tax is equal to a corporate tax, if not one and the same. This exemption is without ceiling and is meant to substantially incentivize solar and wind business in the state of Texas. A solar energy device, for the purposes of this exemption, means a system or connected series of mechanisms engineered to provide heating, cooling, or electrical power through the collection and transference of solar-generated energy. Wind energy is also eligible under this same definition.

Commercial multifamily owners of five or more are eligible for rebate incentives on their multifamily properties through Austin Energy. The rebates are meant to assist Austin Energy customers who own dwellings of five or more units with the installation of solar PV systems. A qualifying energy system must have at least 2kW (AC) per unit. Or, alternately, the system unit must be estimated to produce 50% of annual electric consumption. The precise and most up-to-date details of this program can be obtained by contacting Austin Energy directly or by visiting the program website.

American Electric Power Texas North Company (AEP-TNC) currently offers rebates to any customer who has elected to install photovoltaic (PV) systems on their primary residence or any other building they own. Service providers and third parties are also eligible for this rebate supplied by AEP-TNC. The program requires AC disconnect switches and revenue-grade solar meters provided by the supplier. Installations may be subject to long-term monitoring of performance and a variety of inspections. Details can be found in the program guidebook that’s downloadable on the program’s official website.

Rebates are granted on behalf of American Electric Power Texas Central Company (AEP-TCC) to any of their existing customers who install photovoltaic (PV) systems to their single-family residence or any other buildings they own. The starting rate for this rebate is $0.50 per watt (W)-DC for residential customers for the first 3 kW. Additionally, systems of 3-5 kW will be issued a flat-rate incentive amounting to $1,500 with a maximum rebate of $5000 per residential customer. To qualify for the rebate, the purchase of an all-inclusive warranty spanning at least five years is required. Navigate to the program site for specific details.

In July of 2021, Austin, Texas, was awarded 6th place on the EPA Green Power Top 30 Local Government list. Austin sets itself apart on this list as the largest U.S. city to have each of its city-owned buildings and facilities powered by renewable energy resources. That’s to say that 100% of all municipal buildings have drawn their energy from renewable power sources since 2011. Austin City Council passed Resolution 20140410-024 into law, establishing a time frame for net-zero emissions for its city facilities by 2050 or earlier. The renewable power is sourced, through Austin Energy, the seventh-largest municipal utility in the US, from six utility-scale solar farms from across Texas.

The Municipality of San Marcos provides a Distributed Generation Rebate Program for the costs associated with installing grid-tied renewable energy systems. To qualify for the Distributed Generation Rebate Program you must be a San Marcos Electric Utility (SMEU) customer in addition to being pre-approved by this utility. Single-family dwellings are required to meet certain energy requirements as specified by the utility. All systems must be installed to professional specifications. More specific details are supplied on the program website.