Sunfinity Solar Supports Texas Legislation to Protect Solar Homeowners Targeted by Electric Utilities
Sunfinity Solar issued the following statement in support of House Bill 199. The bill was introduced on the first day of the Texas Legislature’s special session by Rep. Joe Pickett (D-El Paso). It would prevent Texas electric utilities from charging a higher rate or special fee for residential customers with solar systems.
“Residential solar installations rose as much as 300 percent in 2016 vs. 2015. Solar is creating jobs, saving homeowners money, giving them the ability and freedom to create their own energy and benefiting our environment,” said John Billingsley, Chairman and CEO of Sunfinity Solar.
“Solar panels on houses should not generate punitive additional charges, and, in fact, we need to encourage solar,” Billingsley said. “Solar energy is one of the most important sources of renewable energy currently available. That is especially true in Texas, which has the largest solar potential in the country.
“Solar energy is a free resource, and the economics of solar always work for our power grid, our customers and for Texas,” Billingsley added.
According to the El Paso Times, El Paso Electric has a pending rate-increase application that would levy an average increase of almost 23 percent for electricity to homes with solar panels. The utility is proposing an average 9.1 percent increase for non-solar customers.
About Sunfinity Solar
Sunfinity Solar (www.sunfinitysolar.com) is headquartered in Dallas with full-service operations throughout California and North Texas and active expansion in Texas and other states. Sunfinity Solar offers complete system design (solar panels, inverter and metering), installation (including handling all permits and inspections), financing and ongoing system support for residences, businesses and agricultural concerns of any size that want to realize the many financial and environmental benefits of solar power.
