The “Solar-Ready” Policy Nudge Coming for All Texas New Resi Construction
By Adam Glick, Solar Sherpa, NATiVE Solar
House Bill (HB) 407 in Plain English
- Filed – 1 May 2025 by Rep. Christina Morales (D-Houston).
- Statute takes effect – 1 Sep 2025 (if it passes): cities and counties must add a “solar-energy-device compatibility” clause to their building codes.
- Mandatory compliance – 1 Sep 2027: any new 1-to-4-family home started on or after this date must pass a solar-ready inspection.
- Penalty: non-compliance is a Class C misdemeanor for the builder.
Bill text via: Texas Legislature Online
Where the Bill Sits Today
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Filed | 1 May 2025 | Referred to Urban Affairs (left pending) |
| Statute takes effect* | 1 Sep 2025 | Local code updates begin |
| Solar-ready enforcement | 1 Sep 2027 | Applies to new starts |
*Assumes the bill passes without major date changes. Full HB407 language here
What the Mandated “Solar-Ready” Construction Actually Might Look Like
Here in Austin, the city (who also are the electric utility) provides clear solar-ready construction guidelines to streamline solar installations and reduce long-term retrofit costs. As a preview of potential new state-wide guidelines as proposed in the bill’s text, Austin’s Residential Solar Ready Guidelines spell out exactly what builders must provide on new homes to meet the city’s code for solar-ready construction. Here’s what that includes:
- Solar Orientation: For one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes, solar zones must be oriented between 300° and 90° of true north. Multifamily buildings have no orientation requirement.
- Minimum Zone Size:
- One- and two-family homes: Must include at least 240 ft² of total solar zone area per unit, with at least one contiguous area ≥ 100 ft². Each solar zone must be at least 6 feet on a side.
- Townhomes: Must have at least 160 ft² total solar zone area, including one zone ≥ 100 ft² and at least 6 feet on a side.
- Multifamily buildings (≤ 4 stories): Must allocate a solar zone that is at least 35% of total roof area.
- Shading & Obstructions: Solar zones must be free from roof penetrations and shaded elements (chimneys, flues, etc.) that could compromise panel performance.
- Plan Documentation: The solar zone(s) must be clearly outlined on roof plans with true North indicated.
These requirements are designed to ensure that new homes can accommodate future rooftop solar installations without costly retrofits.
These items aren’t spelled out in HB 407 text yet—local jurisdictions will write the final checklists—but if you build to the list above, you’re probably on the right track. Or just get in touch with us and let’s chat about your goals and needs here.
Why Lawmakers Care
In summer 2024, solar delivered roughly 25 % of ERCOT’s midday electricity,
keeping the lights on during record demand spikes. (ERCOT report analysis). And over the past few weeks of this May’s early 100 degree heatwave for much of the state – solar PV (both GRID scale and residential combined) has generated up to 40% of the peak daytime demands in Texas!! As we’ve written before here at The Feed, Texas lawmakers understand that the Texas grid is seriously in trouble without serious investment and focused law-making.
Cost Implications
| Scenario | Up-Front Cost* | Retrofit Premium* |
|---|---|---|
| Solar-ready during build | $5 k – $7.5 k | — |
| Add PV after completion | — | $20 k – $30 k |
(*Price ranges from case studies in the Sustainable Development Code solar-ready brief )
Quick FAQ
- Does HB 407 force homeowners to buy panels?
- No. It only requires the house be built ready for them.
- Who writes the tech specs?
- Local governments, guided by the state statute and Public Utility Commission rules.
- What if my city already has a solar-ready code?
- HB 407 sets the floor; stricter local rules can still apply.
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