Public Information Resources
(Latest Update: October 11, 2023)

This page contains a variety of resource links for public use. Contents are subject to change to keep information up to date.

"Original Source" are links to the original resource for that file or document. "Local Source" links are files that have been downloaded from the original resource and are provided from this website as a backup in case the original resource isn't available. Always select "Original Source" first. If not available, select the "Local" link. Files on this site aren't guaranteed to be the most recent version.

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Information on this page is not to be construed as legal or tax advice. Please check with your legal or tax authority for assistance.

Click Desired Topic	Short Summary of Information
Appraisals	Appraising "solar" property. Qualified appraisers. "Solar" property appraisal forms.
Incentives	Incentives reduce the cost of residential and commercial solar energy systems.
Interval Data	15-minute interval usage data. It's important to know how much energy is consumed, but also WHEN it's consumed. Many utility companies in Texas provide this information free of charge to their customers.
License Verification & Laws	Validate the license of Texas Professional Engineers and Master Electricians. Texas laws for Professional Engineers.
Loans	Loan programs available to fund solar energy and other energy conservation.
Mortgages	Energy-efficient mortgages make it easier to purchase a "solar" home.
Tax Exemptions	Solar energy equipment is exempt from increased assessed valuation.
Texas Solar Laws	Homeowner's Associations are no longer permitted to restrict solar energy systems.

Information Type	Original Source	Local Source	Description
Appraisals
Property Appraisal			Study released by the U.S. Department of Energy Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found homes with host-owned solar photovoltaic energy systems are sold at a premium, and in less time compared to homes without PV systems.
Find Appraiser: Residential			Appraisal Institute members, Candidates, affiliates, and others who have successfully completed courses in the Valuation of Sustainable Buildings Professional Development Program examinations. This page is for residential property appraisers. Select by State.
Find Appraiser: Commercial			Appraisal Institute members, Candidates, affiliates, and others who have successfully completed courses in the Valuation of Sustainable Buildings Professional Development Program examinations. This page is for commercial property appraisers. Select by State.
Appraisal Form 1004			Form 1004, Uniform Residential Appraisal Report. Used by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHA. This form allows a qualified appraiser to include solar energy systems in the property valuation.
Form 1004 Addendum			Properties with Solar Panels. Addendum to Form 1004 to assist the appraiser to properly evaluate property with solar panels. Note: If the property has a "leased" solar panel system, the lease may have to be cleared (paid in full), or transferred to the property buyer before a new mortgage will be issued.

Incentives
DSIRE for Texas			Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency. This site lists all known incentives in Texas for energy efficiency and solar energy equipment. 123 incentives as of September 1, 2021.

Interval Data
Centerpoint			Customers in Centerpoint delivery territory may establish a account and download their usage data for up to the past 13 months or more. This data can be analyzed for many purposes including a more accurate prediction of the impact of the installation of solar energy systems. Create an account and download your usage data. (Free!) We have developed very sophisticated software for extensive analysis of this usage data .. a capability unmatched by any other firm in Texas! Download a Sample Energy Analysis Report. This example is only 12 pages long. Actual reports range from around 40 pages to 100 pages or more depending on the type of report and extent of detail requested by you and/or your customer.
Oncor			Customers in Oncor delivery territory may establish a account with "Smart Meter Texas" and download their usage data for up to the past 13 months or more. This data can be analyzed for many purposes including a more accurate prediction of the impact of the installation of solar energy systems. Create an account and download your usage data. (Free!) We have developed very sophisticated software for extensive analysis of this usage data .. a capability unmatched by any other firm in Texas! Download a Sample Energy Analysis Report. This example is only 12 pages long. Actual reports range from around 40 pages to 100 pages or more depending on the type of report and extent of detail requested by you and/or your customer.
Smart Meter Texas			Smart Meter Texas is jointly operated by the following Transmission and Distribution Service Providers: American Electric Power Texas, Inc. ("AEP") CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC. ("CNP") Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC. ("Oncor") Texas-New Mexico Power Company ("TNMP") ... with oversight provided by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. You may use this link to obtain your interval data. Customers in the Centerpoint and Oncor delivery areas may use the dedicated links above. (Note: Transmission and Delivery utility companies are not to be confused with Retail Electric Providers to whom you pay your utility bill. Also, electrical co-ops are often their own transmission and distribution utility company.) Check with your utility company for more information. Many electrical utility customers in Texas may establish a account with "Smart Meter Texas" and download their usage data for up to the past 13 months or more. This data can be analyzed for many purposes including a more accurate prediction of the impact of the installation of solar energy systems. Create an account and download your usage data. (Free!) We have developed very sophisticated software for extensive analysis of this usage data .. a capability unmatched by any other firm in Texas! Download a Sample Energy Analysis Report. This example is only 12 pages long. Actual reports range from around 40 pages to 100 pages or more depending on the type of report and extent of detail requested by you and/or your customer.

License Verification
TDLR License Verification			Verify the License Status of the Master Electrician on your project with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. First and last name or license number required.
TBPE License Verification			Verify the License of the Professional Engineer on your project with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. First and last name or license number required.
TBPE Rules and Laws			Texas Board of Professional Engineers Administrative Law Rules and Regulations applicable to all Professional Engineers in Texas. (Latest Revision: Swptember 5, 2023)

Loans
"PACE" Loans			Property Assessed Clean Energy, "PACE" is a proven financial tool that incentivizes Texas' property owners to upgrade facility infrastructure with little or no capital outlay. Approved by The Texas legislature and established by your local governments, PACE programs enable property owners to lower their operating costs and use the savings to pay for eligible water conservation, energy efficiency, resiliency, and solar energy projects. Owners gain access to private, affordable, long-term (typically 10-20 years) financing that is not available through traditional funding avenues.
"PACE" Loans			Information from the State of Texas, Office of the Comptroller. Contains extensive resources for local governments, and steps required to set up a "PACE" program at the city and county level.

Mortgages
Energy Efficient Mortgage ("EEM")			FHA's Energy Efficient Mortgage program (EEM) helps families save money on their utility bills by enabling them to finance energy efficient improvements with their FHA-insured mortgage. The EEM program recognizes that an energy-efficient home will have lower operating costs, making it more affordable for the homeowners. Cost-effective energy improvements can lower utility bills and make more income available for the mortgage payment.
Fannie Mae Homestyle Mortgage			The HomeStyle^® Energy mortgage loan helps lenders offer affordable financing to borrowers seeking to improve the energy and water efficiency of their homes. HomeStyle Energy is open to all Fannie Mae lenders; no special approval needed. Borrowers are able to finance energy-efficient upgrades when purchasing or refinancing a home, eliminating the need for a subordinate lien, home equity line of credit, Property Assessed Clean Energy ("PACE") loan, or unsecured loan.
Fannie Mae Homestyle Mortgage			A more "plain English" explanation of a Homestyle Energy Mortgage loan. Information provided by the US Department of Energy.
FHA & VA EEM			Energy Star - Information on Conventional, FHA, VA Energy Efficient Mortgage Loans
FHA EEM Fact Sheet			FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage Fact Sheet
FHA EEM Home Page			FHA's Home Page for FHA-insured Energy Efficient Mortgages EEM Mortgages Description, EEM Worksheet, EEM Homeowner Guide, EEM Mortgagee Letters, and more.
HUD EEM Homeowner Guide			US Housing and Urban Development - Energy Efficient Mortgage Home Owner Guide
Veteran's Administration EEM Guide			Veterans Administration Efficient Energy Mortgage information. There are multiple files referenced in the PDF as well as on the VA website. Ensure you obtain copies of all that are suggested.

Tax Exemptions
Texas Solar Tax Exemptions			Section 11.27. SOLAR AND WIND-POWERED ENERGY DEVICES. (a) A person is entitled to an exemption from taxation of the amount of appraised value of his property that arises from the installation or construction of a solar or wind-powered energy device that is primarily for production and distribution of energy for on-site use.
Texas Solar Tax Exemption Guideline			Guideline for applying solar energy equipment tax exemptions under Texas Tax Code Section 11.27. This document produced by the State of Texas Office of the Comptroller.
Exemption Application Form 50-123			Tax Exemption Application for Solar or Wind-Powered Energy Devices. Two-page fillable PDF.

Texas Solar Laws
Texas Law HB 3526			HB 3526 - Solar Pergola Law HB 3526 - Solar pergolas are not subject to municipal building codes. The law is simple. It reads: "SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 214, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 214.221 to read as follows: Sec. 214.221. REGULATION OF SOLAR PERGOLAS. A municipality may not apply a municipal building code to the construction of a solar pergola.." Effective September 1, 2023. Click here to view the entire set of HB 3526 files.
Texas HOA "Solar" Law HB 362			"HOA" Law - HB 362 HB 362 limits homeowner's associations (HOAs) and property owner's associations (POAs) from restricting solar devices outright. To comply with this law, homeowners that live in neighborhoods with an HOA (or POA) must still follow normal procedures for seeking improvements, including a written request or application to their Architecture Review Committee or similar group in the HOA. As long as the requirements are followed, the HOA (or POA) cannot refuse to grant permission to install solar energy equipment on homes in their area. Click here to view the entire set of HB 362 files.
"Nuisance" Defined and Clarified. TX Supreme Court Ruling.			Texas Supreme Court Case 15-0049 Home Owner's Associations attempt to deny member applications for installation of solar energy systems on grounds of "nuisance", and systems "causing unreasonable discomfort or annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities". Objections to solar energy systems are also often raised on the basis of aesthetics (appearance). A 2016 unanimous decision by the Texas Supreme Court clarified key points regarding common-law doctrine of "private nuisance". See page 52, second paragraph of this Ruling, wherein the Court concludes: ... nuisance must be based on conduct that constitutes an "abnormally dangerous activity," and not just an activity that is "abnormal and out of place in its surroundings." Based on this Ruling, "nuisance", "aesthetics", and "annoyance" cannot be asserted by an HOA, POA, or neighboring homeowner members as a basis for denying solar panels on a member's home.
Texas Law SB 63			SB 63 (Effective September 1,2021) Senate Bill 63 amdends and reinforces the Texas Tax Code where solar energy systems are concerned. A person is entitled to an exemption from taxation of the amount of appraised value of real property owned by the person that arises from the installation or construction on the property of a solar or wind-powered energy device that is primarily for production and distribution of energy for on-site use. A person is entitled to an exemption from taxation of the appraised value of a solar or wind-powered energy device owned by the person that is installed or constructed on real property and is primarily for production and distribution of energy for on-site use regardless of whether the person owns the real property on which the device is installed or constructed. Click here to view the entire set of SB 63 files.
SB398 Texas Law Prohibiting Cities from Restricting Solar Panels			SB 398 (Effective September 1,2021) Senate Bill 398 amends the Local Government Code to prohibit a municipality from forbidding or restricting the installation of a solar energy device, regardless of the direction or roof surface. Texas cities may no longer prohibit street-facing solar energy equipment. Click here to view the entire set of SB 398 files.
TX Property Code 202.010			Section 202.010 pertains specifically to solar energy equipment, and is referenced in SB 398 and other Texas solar laws.