Overview
Texas Bill 1036, the Residential Solar Retailer Regulatory Act (RSRRA), puts the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in charge of overseeing solar retailers.
With this bill, new sales regulations take effect September 1, 2026. Penalties for non-compliance are steep-- all partners are encouraged to proactively enforce and monitor compliance.
Here's What to Know:
All Sales Reps & Orgs Must Register: Registrations entail a modest payment, background check, and annual renewals. Installers are not expressly required to register directly, but registering as an Installer doesn't hurt.
Required to generate agreements: A valid TDLR registration number is required to generate a contract in Texas.
Milestone Requirements: Point of sale and Install requirements apply, details below.
Partner Requirements
What Sales Representatives Need To Do:
Register: Complete your salesperson registration on the TDLR portal.
Link to Recheck: Recheck plugs directly into the TDLR registration list and will electronically connect registration directly to your Recheck account in most instances. If necessary, you can upload your registration manually to the LICENSES section of your Recheck account.
Validation: Palmetto verifies your registration status automatically via your Recheck Account ID.
What Sales Organizations Need To Do:
Register: Complete your organizational registration on the TDLR portal.
Submit via Recheck: Recheck plugs directly into the TDLR registration list and will electronically connect registration directly to your organization's Recheck org profile in most instances. If your organization has a Recheck profile (recommended), this makes registration tracking simple.
Milestone Requirements:
What's Needed at Point of Sale? 2 Sales Rep E-Signatures
All TX contracts require rep countersignature on two documents (included in the contract package). These are Palmetto-imposed requirements that add an extra layer of protection for all parties.
Signature 1 is a rep Attestation of compliance. Signature 2 is an electronic Disclosure.
These are automatically routed to the listed sales rep on file as part of the contract package on all sales. Customer signs, then rep signs.
What's Needed at Installation (M1)? If the customer is age 65+, a Wet-signed Disclosure form.
All contract packages feature an electronic Disclosure form signature (this is standard on all contracts and adds a layer of protection on every sale).
For customers age 65+, an additional Wet-signed version of the Disclosure form is required, and is provided at Installation (M1).
This Wet-signed Disclosure requirement comes into force November 1st, 2026. However, installers may submit this earlier than November 1st, if desired.
Registration Guidelines by Partner Type:
Requirements vary depending on your licensing status, but individual sales rep registration applies to everyone.
Sales Reps: All sales reps must register individually (~$56).
Sales Orgs: All sales organizations (IE retailers) must register as an organization ($350).
Electrical contractors (EPCs): Exempt from company-level solar retailer registration, but still responsible for all disclosure, brochure, and milestone requirements. EPCs can still register for good measure, if desired.
Palmetto validates credentials and populates the rep's registration number onto all generated customer agreements. Any rep or organization found to be improperly licensed, or sharing licensure, will be subject to termination from platform.
FAQ
Do I need to be a registered Solar Retailer to create new LightReach accounts? | Any entity engaged in solar retail without an electrical contractor's license must register as a Solar Retailer. |
When do these requirements begin? | Sept 1, 2026 = Law goes into effect.
Nov 1, 2026 = Firm enforcement of Install (M1) requirements. |
How do Solar Retailers and Solar Salespersons get registered? | |
Do registrations have to be renewed? | Yes, annually. |
Since TDLR Licensed Electrical Contractors are exempt from Solar Retailer registration, are their salespeople also exempt? | No. Even if an individual's employer is a licensed Electrical Contractor, the individual still needs to register with TDLR as a Solar Salesperson.
EPCs can still register. It doesn't hurt! |
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