In 2009, the 81st Texas Legislature passed HB 1937, creating an opportunity for cities and counties in Texas to offer unique low-cost financing measures for renewable energy and efficiency projects. Now ReEnergize Texas is joining other groups around the state in calling for our largest cities to all create "clean energy districts" so that home and property owners can invest in our clean energy future.

One of the biggest barriers for homeowners wishing to invest in home weatherizations and local renewable energy (like solar panels on your roof) has been the cost. These upgrades can be expensive upfront costs. An obvious solution would be to finance the projects, paying them off a bit at a time. But this solution brings with it another problem – what if you want to sell off your house while you’re still paying for the solar panels?

HB 1937 was a proactive step on the part of the Texas Legislature to give consumers a choice. It grants local governments (like your city or county) the authority to provide financing options to local residents in such a way that the payments stay with the property. Instead of lending to a single borrower the way a bank would do, the local government entity will provide the money for the renewable or efficiency upgrade, and will then charge back a portion each month as part of the property tax.

What’s more, it allows the property owner to pay the loan back with low interest over a 20-year period! This can make it much easier to start seeing electric bill savings from the very beginning!

Join one of our campaigns in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, or El Paso: