Yes, you can go solar in Lockhart. But, before you start purchasing and installing solar panels, you’ll need to do a few things:

• Select a solar panel contractor currently licensed by the City of Lockhart. They are:
  • Freedom Solar Power
  • Greenlight Solar
  • Nerd Power TX, LLC
  • Texas Energy Experts
• Apply for a building and electric permit before installation.
• Employ an electrician licensed by the State of Texas.
• Installation plans must be designed by a licensed engineer, who must submit a letter stating that the roof’s structure can support the solar panels, along with a detailed description of how the panels are secured on the roof. The design must be approved by the city.
  • These agreements, referred to Exhibit A and B in the ordinance, must be signed by the property owner and the City Manager.
• The design should include a solar panel (PV) meter to register the power produced by the panels.
  • A utility application and associated fees are required for the PV meter.
  • That meter will be installed by the Electric Department after inspection of the solar panels. The department will also replace the home’s meter with a bi-directional electric meter.

   

When the above requirements have been met and approved, the permits are issued. The Customer Service Department takes a total of three readings each billing cycle:

• Bi-directional electric meter (two readings):
  • Reads how much power is fed into the house from the city.
  • Reads how much power is fed back into the city.
• Solar (PV) panel meter (one reading):
  • Reads how much power is being produced by the solar panels.

These readings are itemized in the customer’s utility bill.

(Image courtesy: iStock)

Here’s a look at the City of Lockhart’s Distributed Generation Ordinance: ARTICLE III. - WATER, SEWER, ELECTRIC EXTENSIONS | Code of Ordinances | Lockhart, TX | Municode Library (Sec. 58-191 under “Additional Requirements” item B)

If you are a Bluebonnet Electric Co-Op customer, click here.