If you’ve been researching solar panels in Texas, or looking into home battery backup systems after recent grid scares, there’s a new state law you’ll want to know about. As of Fall 2025, Texas SB 1252 is in effect — and it significantly reduces the permitting headaches homeowners used to face when installing larger solar + storage infrastructure.

Here’s what SB 1252 actually does — and how it makes going solar easier for those planning a larger system to support larger residences or to offset particularly high energy consumption.

What SB 1252 Actually Does (In Simple Texas Terms)

SB 1252 (went into effect statewide Sept 1) defines a “residential energy backup system” as anything under:

• 50 kW of generation, and

• 100 kWh of battery storage

That means nearly every standard home solar + battery system in Texas falls under this definition.

The key change here?: Cities can no longer create extra inspections, local ordinances, or permitting restrictions for these larger systems as many have been up until now.

If your system meets standard electrical code (which reputable installers like us here at NATiVE Solar already follow), the city can’t slow-walk approvals or add their own rules on top. Hooray!!!  (Our inhouse permitting team can now get your permits filed more quickly and that makes them very happy :)

This applies everywhere in Texas -from Dallas to Austin to Houston, and also to smaller Hill Country municipalities – everywhere NATiVE Solar does our work.

Why This Matters for Texas Homeowners:

SB 1252 makes the process easier by:

• Speeding up approval timelines for lager installs by eliminating city-by-city solar restrictions

• Protecting a homeowner’s right to install solar + batteries without too much jurisdictional interference

This matters in Texas more than most places because:

• ERCOT continues hitting record energy demand

• Weather swings (heat waves, freezes, storms) keep stressing the grid

• Outages in Austin, San Antonio, DFW, and rural areas are becoming more common

• There are alot of folks building or adding solar/storage to large homes and properties

Homeowners want reliable backup power, and now the state has made it easier to get it. (We hope this is trend of a trend coming from the Texas state congress-critters.)

Local Impact: Austin, San Antonio, DFW & Hill Country

Austin (Austin Energy)

There was additional review required for systems larger than 25kW

Dallas–Fort Worth (Encore)

There was additional review required for systems larger than 15kW

Many of the other jurisdictional bodies also limited fast-track permitting of systems above between 15kW and 25kW.

Why This Law Matters NOW

Texas is adding population faster than the grid is growing. At the same time:

• More people are buying EVs

• HVAC loads keep increasing

• Summer heat is breaking records every year

• Winter storms still bring unexpected grid events

• Electricity rates remain volatile (and decidedly going in an upward direction!)

Solar + battery storage gives homeowners control -and SB 1252 removes one of the last consistent barriers: complicated permitting.

This makes 2026 one of the best windows to go solar in Texas -despite the loss of the 30% ITX tax credit that was enjoyed before that OBBB federal law change
goes in effect Dec 31.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Just one:

Municipally owned utilities (Austin Energy, CPS Energy, etc.) still govern interconnection rules.

But cities themselves (i.e. zoning boards, code departments, local ordinances) cannot regulate residential backup systems beyond state code. Nice!

That’s still a major reduction in homeowner risk and project delays.

Texas Solar + SB 1252 FAQ

Does SB 1252 affect solar permitting in Texas?
Yes. It stops cities from adding extra local rules, delays, or inspections for typical home solar + battery systems.

Can a Texas city block a solar installation?
Not if the system is under 50 kW and 100 kWh of storage. SB 1252 prevents cities from over-regulating these systems.

Does SB 1252 make going solar faster?
Yes. The law shortens permitting timelines and reduces municipal interference for larger systems.

Here’s Bottom Line, Ya’ll: 

If you’re planning to install solar panels, home batteries, or a backup power system – especially with larger homes, SB 1252 is a major win.

Less red tape.
Shorter timelines.
More homeowner rights.
Stronger energy security.

NATiVE Solar has already updated our process to take full advantage of the new law. So if you’re ready to see what solar + storage might look like for you and your family, we can walk you through it step-by-step. Get in touch with one of our solar+storage practitioners today.