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Austin commenters urge third‑party ownership for homes, warn of regressive rates
Summary
Speakers at the Austin Electric Utility Commission meeting urged Austin Energy to allow modern third‑party ownership (TPO) for residential solar and pushed for more public input on recent rate decisions, arguing current structures disproportionately affect eastern districts.
At the April 13 Electric Utility Commission meeting, several public speakers urged Austin Energy to expand residential third‑party ownership options and to restore a more transparent rate‑setting process that gives communities meaningful input.
Chris Sears, founder of Sears Energy, told commissioners he spent years in the solar industry and that modern TPO models — including a five‑year transfer‑to‑homeowner structure and traditional long‑term agreements — can make solar and storage affordable for families who otherwise lack access to federal tax credits and other incentives. “By prohibiting them for…
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