Austin's Rooftops May Soon Generate Revenue and Clean Energy

The Austin City Council is set to vote on a proposed Solar Standard Offer program this month, offering an exciting opportunity for property owners and the community.

Rooftop solar power, with Austin's abundant sunshine, presents a significant chance to generate clean electricity. The program aims to remove the financial barrier of property owner investment by allowing solar companies to lease roof space for solar arrays and sell the energy to Austin Energy.

Key aspects of the program:

• No installation or maintenance costs for property owners.
• Austin Energy will pay 11.24 cents per kilowatt-hour for energy from systems under 1 megawatt and 8.41 cents for larger systems.
• Aggregated rooftop solar can have a large impact, with thousands of megawatts of potential in Austin.
• Residential sector expansion planned by January 2026.
• Additional revenue stream for property owners.

Austin Energy needs local energy resources to avoid burning fossil fuels, which contribute to air pollution and potential EPA noncompliance. Rooftop solar, paired with local batteries, can provide a much-needed local resource.

Energy from this program will boost Austin Energy’s Community Solar program, allowing residents without personal solar systems to access solar-generated electricity. Customers can sign up for the Community Solar waiting list on the Austin Energy website.

The Solar Standard Offer program benefits the environment, public health, local economy, and more. It's an exciting development for property owners, Community Solar subscribers, and advocates for a healthier world.

Kaiba White is the climate policy and outreach specialist for the Texas office of Public Citizen.