Advocates Call on Texas PUC to Take Steps to Protect Solar Customers
Advocates Urge the Adoption of Comprehensive Solar Cost-Benefit Analysis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2026
El Paso, TX – Advocate organizations, including Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors, Public Citizen, and the Texas Solar Energy Society, support the majority of a proposed decision recommending that the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) limit El Paso Electric’s proposed rate hike. While advocates say that the proposal would protect customers from excessive fixed fees and help keep electricity affordable for families in El Paso, they are also urging the Commission to adopt additional recommendations to ensure rooftop solar is fairly valued.
El Paso Electric originally proposed a rate hike that would have increased residential electricity bills by roughly 25%, or about $23 per month on average. The proposed decision significantly limits the size of the rate increase and maintains the current $9.25 monthly fixed charge, rather than allowing the utility to raise it by 50%. The proposed decision also rejects a new per-kilowatt charge that would have disproportionately impacted customers with rooftop solar.
While supportive of the proposed order, advocates have filed recommendations calling on the Commissioners to take an additional step to adopt the coalition’s proposal to complete a comprehensive solar cost-benefit analysis. This analysis would evaluate the full suite of benefits and impacts that result from rooftop solar, and is essential to understand whether homes and businesses with solar panels are being fairly compensated for the power they produce and export to the electrical grid. By requiring a comprehensive solar cost-benefit analysis, the Commission would be better able to make informed decisions that benefit all utility customers.
“Solar is one of the most cost-effective energy resources available. Penalizing families with fees simply for choosing solar is wrong, especially as households already face rising energy bills and an increasing cost of living,” said Kate Bowman, Vote Solar’s Senior Regulatory Director in the Interior West. “While we are grateful that the proposed decision limits El Paso Energy’s original rate hike, we hope the Commission keeps that momentum by conducting a comprehensive solar cost-benefit analysis, giving Texas families confidence that decisions about rooftop solar are fair, transparent, and driven by factual data.”
“El Paso families shouldn’t be punished for trying to save money by going solar,” said Sam Silerio, Texas Program Director with Solar United Neighbors. “The Commission’s proposed decision protects customers from excessive fees and recognizes that rooftop solar benefits all ratepayers. Now we need to ensure future decisions are guided by real data through a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis. Solar customers deserve transparency and fair treatment.”
“Not only does solar plus storage save families money, but it can also provide them with resiliency against extreme weather events. If utilities don’t send the right market signal for families to go solar, they will keep some families from making the financial decision to adopt this incredible technology. Every utility should be held accountable by providing transparency indicating how they are valuing solar,” said Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons, the Executive Director for the Texas Solar Energy Society.
“Rooftop solar has been proven again and again to be an incredibly valuable resource, not just for those who own the resource, but for utilities and the grid. Utilities shouldn’t be allowed to implement rates that discourage the use of this essential clean energy resource, especially without proving their assumptions to be true,” said Kaiba White, Climate Policy Specialist for Public Citizen’s Texas office.
About Solar United Neighbors
Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in Texas and across the country to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. It’s building an energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.
About Vote Solar
Vote Solar is an energy justice non-profit working towards a 100% clean energy future by bringing solar to the mainstream. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advocates for clean energy in legislative and regulatory arenas at the state level, where most decisions about electricity are made. Despite powerful opposition, we use a winning combination of deep policy expertise, coalition building, and public engagement to get the job done.
About Texas Solar Energy Society
For nearly 50 years, TXSES has been the pre-eminent statewide organization developing free thought-leading, independent, fact-based educational materials that inspire innovation, share best practices and educate decision-makers on the critical importance of sound, favorable solar policies that will grow a diverse, equitable industry; build healthy, resilient communities; support local, well-paying jobs; and lay the foundation for a 100% clean energy future for Texas, one community at a time.
About Public Citizen
Public Citizen’s Texas office works to protect the health and prosperity of our communities and families. We support a just energy transition that creates green jobs, living wages and a strong economy. We advocate for strong and fair environmental and energy policies that benefit everyday people and future generations.