Current Events > Just got in contact with my state congressman's office.

(+) Yeah! (+)

They're going to have their legislative specialist do some research on Texas House Bill 362 and call me back. The next legislative session isn't until 2023, but I think I'm still going to push to have the law changed so that they can add wording that specifically allows solar roofs.

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Wait, Texas doesn't allow solar roofs?
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I feel like this whole thing is the start of a supervillain origin story

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emblem boy posted...

Wait, Texas doesn't allow solar roofs?

I think they're allowed in spirit, but my HOA approved the request "with conditions" that are kinda weird. So I think it's a gray area.

Summary:

• I submitted a request to my HOA so that I can have the work done
• HOA approves it with conditions

Conditions:
i. The Solar Roof Shingles need to resemble the shingles, in terms of color and design, used within the Community.
ii. The Solar Roof Shingles need to be more durable than, and are of equal or superior quality to, the shingles used within the Community.
iii. The Solar Roof Shingles need to match the aesthetics of adjacent property.
iv. If there is any deviation from the approved plans, then new plans must be submitted, and approved, prior to work commencing.

2 and 4, I have no problem with, but 1 and 3 don't really make sense for solar roofs. The text for those conditions is pulled straight from HB362 Sec. 202.011:

Sec. 202.011. REGULATION OF CERTAIN ROOFING MATERIALS. A property owners' association may not include or enforce a provision in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits or restricts a property owner who is otherwise authorized to install shingles on the roof of the owner's property from installing shingles that:
(1) are designed primarily to:
(A) be wind and hail resistant;
(B) provide heating and cooling efficiencies greater than those provided by customary composite shingles; or
(C) provide solar generation capabilities; and
(2) when installed:
(A) resemble the shingles used or otherwise authorized for use on property in the subdivision;
(B) are more durable than and are of equal or superior quality to the shingles described by Paragraph
(A); and
(C) match the aesthetics of the property surrounding the owner's property.

They're considering the solar roof shingles to be "energy efficient roofing" under the HOA bylaws. They have separate provisions that allow for solar panels, but... The solar roof tiles are actually solar panels and it doesn't make sense for them to have to match the color of other people's roofs. Photovoltaic solar panels only come in one color.

I've asked my HOA for clarification under the assumption that I'm moving ahead with the project at this point, but we'll see what they say. I'm hoping I'm just making a mountain out of a mole hill and they won't have a problem with it, but... I want to make sure. Still gonna push to get the law amended, though.

This law was written in 2011 and solar roofs weren't even announced for homes until 2016. It would make more sense to apply those conditions to traditional energy efficient roofing that simply reflects more energy from the sun to keep the home cooler.

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I wish I could just take a year off my job lol

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shockthemonkey posted...

Texas legislation is taking off an entire year?

Yeah, I'm not sure what the deal with that is

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shockthemonkey posted...

Texas legislation is taking off an entire year?

I hope it means that they aren't taking any new requests until 2023, rather than literally no sessions until then.
Not that that isn't also silly.
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Hoa's suck ass damn

Legislative sessions vary a lot by state. Some meet once a year, some once every two, some are always in session. I thought TX was an every other year state

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I've got a call set up to talk to the legislative director at my congressman's office tomorrow.

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Good luck OP. I respect putting in the work for renewable energy.

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I have family in an oil town in New Mexico, and they have a local ordinance that puts heavy taxes on clean energy, and no business in town will agree to do it so you have to hire someone to come from Santa Fe

I can see Texas doing this

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Njolk posted...

I have family in an oil town in New Mexico, and they have a local ordinance that puts heavy taxes on clean energy, and no business in town will agree to do it so you have to hire someone to come from Santa Fe

I can see Texas doing this

I've heard talk of certain areas of Texas doing this as well, but fortunately Bexar county isn't like that. The power company gives a rebate for people who install solar on their homes on top of the federal rebate.

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