HB277 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ken Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Solar technology, installation, electric customer or financing agent, exception from definition of utility or electric service provider, Secs. 37-4A-1 to 37-4A-5, inclusive, added

Summary

HB277 would let a retail electric service customer install solar panels for personal use and finance them through a solar financing agent, with protections against interference by utilities.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes on-site solar installation for a customer’s own use and financing through a solar financing agent. Utilities and electric suppliers cannot prevent, penalize, discriminate against, or interfere with the installation or financing, and cannot require extra equipment, insurance, or testing beyond applicable safety codes. The solar financing agent is not considered a electricity supplier or utility, and the financing agreement is not treated as a private contract for electric service.

Who It Affects

• Retail electric service customers (individuals or businesses) who want to install solar on their property and finance it through a solar financing agent
• Solar financing agents (financiers/installers) who facilitate on-site solar installations and financing, and are not treated as electric suppliers or utilities

Key Provisions

• Authorizes a retail electric service customer to install solar technology for own-use generation and finance it through a solar financing agent via loans, leases, PPAs, or other financing arrangements
• Prohibits electric suppliers or utilities from preventing, penalizing, discriminating against, or interfering with such installation or financing, and from requiring additional equipment, insurance, or testing beyond safety codes
• Specifies that a solar financing agent is not an electric supplier or utility, and that the financing agreement is not a private contract for electric service
• States that the chapter does not create or alter real property rights or covenants, and sets the act to become effective three months after passage/approval

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Solar Energy