Why this matters now
Texas has new rules for people who sell or lease home solar. The state adopted the rules in June. The rules start September 1, 2026. Most solar salespeople and solar retailers will need to register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, called TDLR. A solar retailer is the company selling or leasing the system. This is a useful change before a busy fall sales season. But a state registration is not a promise that a quote is right for your home. You still need to check the price, the work plan, and the power bill math.
You already have time to think
Texas solar contracts signed on or after September 1, 2025 must give the buyer five business days to cancel. Business days do not include weekends or holidays. The contract should show the last day to cancel and where to send the notice. If a seller says you must sign now, slow down. Ask for the full contract first. Do not count a spoken promise as part of the deal. Keep a copy of the signed pages, the sales notes, and any email that shows the claimed bill savings.
Check who will do the work
The contract must say that a licensed electrical contractor will install the solar system. It should name that contractor and show the license number, or give you a clear list of contractors from which you will choose. This matters because selling solar and installing solar are different jobs. Ask the seller who is responsible if the roof work, wiring, or inspection has a problem. Ask who gets permits. Ask who sends the utility approval form. Your system should not run until the power company approves the connection.
Do not let the bill promise hide the real plan
A Texas power bill can have more than one moving part. Your retail power plan decides what you pay for power and what extra solar may be worth. Oncor says its approval process is separate from the retail electric plan. It also says a buyback program is not required for utility approval. That means a solar seller should not act like utility approval guarantees a certain credit on your bill. Ask for a quote based on your real power plan. Ask what happens if you change plans. Ask for the numbers with no guessed buyback payment.
What changes on September 1
Starting September 1, Texas will require most companies selling or leasing residential solar, and most salespeople, to be registered with TDLR. The new state rules also cover contract format, insurance, complaints, and a code of conduct. The state says some licensed electrical contractors are exempt from the registration step, but they still must follow most of the consumer rules. If someone visits your home after September 1, ask for the business name, the salesperson name, and how you can check their state registration. Then verify it yourself before paying a deposit.
Simple homeowner checklist
Read the contract before you sign. Mark the final day of the five-business-day cancel window. Make sure it names the licensed electrical contractor and license number. Ask who gets permits and utility approval. Ask which power plan and solar buyback rate were used in the savings estimate. Ask what happens if the rate changes. Ask whether a battery is included and what stays on during an outage. Save every page and message. Do not let a seller use old homeowner federal tax-credit money to make a new 2026 quote look cheaper. For a serious sales problem, use the Texas state complaint path and consider getting independent legal or financial advice.
