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Solar site surveys · TexasA technician on the roof, in the attic and at the service panel, with the survey read against the code editions, AHJs and utilities that apply in Texas.
Texas sets the electrical code statewide through TDLR (the 2026 NEC since September 1, 2026), but building and fire codes are adopted city by city, so the IRC/IFC edition and PV roof-pathway rules depend on the local AHJ. Interconnection runs through the wires utility, while in the ERCOT competitive area export credit comes from a retail electric provider's buyback plan rather than a statewide net metering rule. Coastal wind exposure, hail and HOA rules are common survey considerations.
The capture spec is the same everywhere. What the engineer and the plan reviewer read it against is not.
Structures in the 14 first-tier coastal counties and parts of Harris County east of State Highway 146 fall under TDI's Windstorm Inspection Program, which covers roof repairs and alterations; since April 1, 2026, windstorm certification uses the 2024 IRC or IBC.9,10
Texas has recorded more major hail events (stones over 1 inch) than any other state in recent years, and a record 7.1-inch hailstone was confirmed in the Texas Panhandle.11,12
Because cities adopt building and fire codes individually, neighboring AHJs can be on different IRC/IFC editions (for example 2021 in Houston and 2024 in Sugar Land), which changes structural and pathway requirements.8,5
HOAs cannot ban solar but can require prior approval and enforce placement and appearance limits allowed by Property Code 202.010, so the survey should note roof plane, roofline and visible hardware color.13
Who reviews the plan set, and what the state layers on top.
In ERCOT's competitive areas, customers shop for a retail electric provider while the PUCT-regulated wires utility handles interconnection and metering; the homeowner or installer must register the system with that wires utility. City-owned utilities and electric cooperatives set their own rules and buyback rates.19
Wires utility for much of the Houston area; installers submit residential solar interconnection applications through CenterPoint's online DG portal, and the system must not operate until permission to operate is issued. Export credit comes from the customer's retail electric provider.20,8,19
Interconnection page ↗Wires utility for much of North and Central Texas in the competitive market; installers submit DG interconnection through Oncor's web-based installer portal, after which Oncor reviews the project and issues an interconnection agreement.21
Interconnection page ↗Competitive-area wires utility in South and West Texas; an interconnection application is required before installing and connecting, submitted through AEP's PowerClerk portal, and customers are directed to their REP for buyback.22
Interconnection page ↗Competitive-area wires utility with a Gulf Coast region that includes League City, Friendswood, Dickinson and Texas City; DG applications with a one-line diagram and site plan go through TNMP's DG portal, followed by review, agreement, inspection and a DG meter.23,24
Interconnection page ↗Southeast Texas utility that provides electric infrastructure for most of The Woodlands; interconnection applications with an IPODG agreement and one-line diagram go through Entergy's portal, with pre-approval required for systems of 15 kW and up.25,26
Interconnection page ↗City-owned utility that credits customer solar production under its Value of Solar rate and offers a residential solar rebate.27,28
Interconnection page ↗San Antonio's city-owned utility; its Distributed Generation Manual sets interconnection requirements and credits net-metered customers' net excess generation under the applicable rate and rider.29
Interconnection page ↗One standard, one visit, the same record in Texas as everywhere else. What it gets checked against is the code stack above.
TDLR adopted the 2026 NEC statewide effective September 1, 2026, replacing the 2023 edition. Work generally follows the code in effect when the permit is obtained, and cities can add amendments, so check with the AHJ.1,2
Not statewide in the competitive ERCOT market. Customers get export credit through a retail electric provider's buyback plan, while city-owned utilities and co-ops set their own rates.19
Generally no. Property Code 202.010 bars HOAs from prohibiting solar devices, but they can require approval and enforce certain placement, roofline and color rules.13
Metro pages for Texas: Houston.
Roof, attic and service panel in one visit
Explore →Roof, structure and switchgear
Explore →Terrain, build and operations
Explore →Roof and electrical, one visit
Explore →Stamped sets, six days from survey
Explore →SA, TOF and TSRF per plane
Explore →Every local fact on this page links to where it came from. Codes, programs and tariffs change: confirm the current requirement with the AHJ and the utility before you design.
Bring your monthly job count and the AHJs you submit into, and we will tell you straight whether we fit.
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