UTILITIES CODE

CHAPTER 185. RATING OF SOLAR ENERGY DEVICES


	§ 185.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                                  
		(1)  "Commission" means the Public Utility Commission 
of Texas.             
		(2)  "Solar energy device" means a solar energy 
collector or solar energy system that provides for the collection 
of solar energy or the subsequent use of that energy as thermal, 
mechanical, or electrical energy.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 185.002.  COMPLIANCE.  A person who rates, labels, or 
certifies the performance of a solar energy device in this state 
shall comply with the standards adopted by the commission under 
this chapter.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 185.003.  ADOPTION OF STANDARDS.  (a)  The commission 
shall study and adopt standards for rating solar energy devices.  
The standards shall be used in performance labeling and 
certification of solar energy devices in this state.
	(b)  The commission shall examine rating standards and 
certification programs used by other states and by industry in 
adopting standards under this section.
	(c)  The commission shall adopt the standards that the 
commission finds are the most widely used unless the commission 
finds that those standards are not suitable for use in this state.  
If the commission finds that a widely used standard is not suitable, 
the commission may amend the standard or adopt a standard that the 
commission finds suitable.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 185.004.  USE OF NATIONAL STANDARDS.  If national 
standards for rating and certifying solar energy devices are 
developed by a federal agency in conjunction with the states and 
industry, the commission shall adopt those national standards as 
the standards for use in this state.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 185.005.  REVIEW OF STANDARDS.  The commission shall 
periodically review the standards adopted under this chapter and 
shall amend those standards as necessary to ensure that the 
standards are:
		(1)  appropriate in view of current technology;  and                          
		(2)  the same as or similar to the standards widely used 
by other states and by industry.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.