At first glance, The Woodlands appears to be an ideal location for residential solar panel installations. Texas is poised to lead the nation in utility-scale solar energy expansion again in 2023. Following power grid failures, there’s a growing interest in energy independence, and over 72% of The Woodlands residents are homeowners.
However, the process for installing solar panels in The Woodlands may be more complicated than for those in other areas of Houston.
Development Standards Committee
Contrary to rumors that local solar vendors avoid quoting The Woodlands homes, the Development Standards Committee asserts that no such denials have been reported. According to Texas Property Code 202.010, property owners are not restricted from installing solar energy devices by property owners’ associations. However, since the committee functions as a governmental body rather than a homeowners’ association, this code does not apply to the township.
Freedom Solar Power, a Texas-based company operating in 11 markets, completed 5,000 installs in 2022. CEO Bret Biggart notes that while the Houston metro area represents 20% of their business, only a small number of residential panels have been installed in The Woodlands.
Biggart commented that the area isn’t currently a “hotbed” for solar energy, partly due to a more stringent permitting process. “There are a few more steps, such as committee approvals,” he stated. “However, I have not seen any indications that The Woodlands is anti-solar. The committee is supportive in navigating permitting processes.”
Residents looking to install solar energy systems must submit their plans online for review. The Residential Design Review Committee evaluates applications and seeks feedback from neighbors. If approved, the final decision is made by the design committee in monthly meetings.
According to The Woodlands Residential Development Standards, solar panels must align with the roof’s shape and not extend above the roofline. Any visible support structures and pipes need to be designed for minimal visual impact and matched to the roofing material.
Utility Companies
Trevor Taylor, who runs Construction Solutions of Texas, relocated to Montgomery County in September. He notes that most installations take about two weeks; however, their sole project in The Woodlands has faced delays since November, attributed to utility companies rather than local regulations. CenterPoint Energy, one major utility provider, lacks sufficient incentives to expedite solar applications. After permit approvals more than doubled from 2019 to 2021, delays have ensued.
“We’re dealing with delays from CenterPoint Energy, not The Woodlands,” Taylor explained. “They have faced some challenges with their permitting process.”
While CenterPoint is usually reliable for solar projects, they’ve encountered significant backlog since last holiday season. Both Taylor and Biggart mentioned that Entergy, which services the majority of The Woodlands, can also be less accommodating for solar initiatives compared to other utility firms.
“The variety of approvals needed across multiple jurisdictions can slow adoption. Streamlining the process in Texas would help accelerate solar growth,” Biggart noted, emphasizing the need for utilities to adapt to increasing customer demand for solar solutions.
Tree Cover
One notable characteristic of The Woodlands—a lush tree canopy—may be significantly hindering solar energy development. Many homes are shaded, reducing their exposure to sunlight needed for solar efficiency. Residents seeking to remove trees with trunks larger than six inches must request permission from the design committee, which can deny requests on aesthetic grounds.
The committee often prohibits panels from being installed on the front of homes, limiting options for those whose backyards are shaded. Some installers, like Tesla Solar, perform shade assessments to determine ideal installation sites. Additionally, Tesla’s solar roofs, designed to resemble full roofing rather than discrete panels, are becoming increasingly popular in the area.
With the federal tax credit for solar installations raised to 30% for systems set up between 2022 and 2032, Biggart remains optimistic about a surge in solar adoption in The Woodlands. “We’ve observed that when one neighbor installs solar, it often triggers interest in surrounding homes,” he stated. “Once solar takes hold, I anticipate The Woodlands will mirror solar growth trends seen throughout Texas.”