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How to Start a Solar Business in Texas

Texas has strong sun, fast-growing cities, and many large, simple roofs on warehouses, self-storage sites, and retail buildings. Here is what a new solar business in Texas needs to sort out, whether you plan to install systems yourself or run an operating company under the GoBien brand.

1. Decide what kind of solar business you are building

2. Form your company

Register an LLC or corporation with the Texas Secretary of State, get an EIN, open a business bank account, and set up books and records. Work with an attorney and an accountant who know Texas energy and contracting work before you sign customer agreements.

3. Understand Texas licensing

Texas does not issue a separate solar contractor license. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation says anyone who performs, or offers to perform, non-exempt electrical work must be licensed and must perform that work through a licensed electrical contractor. That includes the electrical tie-in of a photovoltaic system.

Residential sales and leases are regulated separately. Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1806, TDLR regulates contracts for the sale or lease of residential solar energy systems. Required contract terms and a five-business-day right to cancel have applied since September 1, 2025. Beginning September 1, 2026, residential solar retailers and salespeople must be registered with TDLR to sell or lease those systems. A licensed electrical contractor, and an employee of that contractor, is exempt from the retailer and salesperson registration. The exemption does not remove the contract and cancellation rules.

If you run an operating company, the installing contractor holds the electrical license. Confirm that license, and any required residential retailer registration, before you approve the installer. A city permit office may also require the contractor to register locally.

4. Know the utility territory

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas manages the grid for about 90 percent of the state’s electric load and administers retail switching where customers can choose a retail electric provider. ERCOT is overseen by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. City-owned utilities, including those that serve Austin and San Antonio, and electric cooperatives are outside the competitive retail market. The PUCT does not set their buyback rates.

Texas does not require a statewide retail credit for excess solar. The PUCT tells buyers to ask whether their provider offers a net metering or buyback program. In areas open to retail choice, the buyback rate is part of the plan. Elsewhere, the customer asks the utility. Check the property’s utility before you write the customer agreement, and have your attorney read that agreement against the utility’s rules. How net metering works explains the general idea.

5. Plan for permitting and interconnection

A system needs the local building or electrical permit and the utility’s interconnection approval before it is turned on. For a residence, Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1806 requires the sale or lease agreement to say that a licensed electrical contractor will do the installation and will obtain required permits and interconnection approval. Timelines vary by city and utility, so track both from the first day of the project.

6. Choose a first market and customer

Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio are the largest markets. For an operating company, a practical first customer is often a property owner with a large, simple roof and a long time horizon, such as a self-storage facility. Read the Houston solar installers and San Antonio solar installer guides, and browse the GoBien directory.

7. Build for Texas weather

Hail, high wind, and coastal storms are part of solar work in Texas. Choose equipment rated for hail, confirm the roof is sound before installation, and carry insurance that matches the work. See should you replace your roof before solar?

How GoBien fits in

GoBien operators own their companies, the facilities, and every customer agreement. GoBien licenses the brand and gives operators access to the platform and a network of solar providers. You do not have to be an electrician or an installer. Read what independent solar operators do, or start a conversation.

Looking for a job in Texas solar instead? See solar jobs in Texas.

Questions

Do I need a solar license to start a solar business in Texas?

Texas does not issue a separate solar contractor license. Anyone who performs non-exempt electrical work must be licensed and must do that work through a licensed electrical contractor, regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A business that sells or leases residential solar energy systems must also register with TDLR as a residential solar retailer, and its salespeople must be registered, as of September 1, 2026. Licensed electrical contractors and their employees are exempt from that retailer and salesperson registration. A city permit office may also require local contractor registration.

Do I need to be an electrician to own a solar business in Texas?

No. The owner of the company does not have to hold an electrician license. Electrical installation still has to be performed by licensed people through a TDLR-licensed electrical contractor. In the GoBien model, a solar provider supplies the facility and coordinates installation by licensed contractors.

Does Texas have net metering?

Texas does not set a statewide retail credit for excess solar. The Public Utility Commission of Texas tells customers to ask their provider whether it offers a buyback program. In areas open to retail choice, the buyback rate is part of the retail electric plan. City-owned utilities and electric cooperatives set their own buyback rates.

Which Texas cities are the biggest solar markets?

Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio are the largest markets. Large commercial roofs are also common in smaller Texas cities. Check the utility and the city permit office for each property.

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