Tennessee Senate Bill SB1124

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 6; Title 7; Title 9; Title 13; Title 47; Title 65 and Title 66, relative to net metering credits.

Summary

SB1124 creates a new consumer-protection requirement for companies that sell or install solar energy systems in Tennessee. Before entering into an agreement to sell or install a solar system, a company must provide written proof that the utility serving the installation area has a net metering program or otherwise offers net metering credits. The proof must include a description of how the program works, participation requirements, any related fees, and the expected buyback or crediting rate, along with a notarized verification from the utility. The bill defines key terms such as “company,” “solar energy system,” “utility,” and “net metering credit,” and applies to public utilities, municipal or county-owned utilities, and electric cooperatives. It also makes a violation of this disclosure requirement an unfair or deceptive act or practice under Tennessee’s consumer protection law, with each violation treated separately. The act would take effect July 1, 2025, and would apply to agreements entered into or modified on or after that date.

Impact

SB1124 would amend Tennessee’s consumer protection and utility-related statutes by adding a new section to Title 47 and incorporating violations into the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act’s list of unfair or deceptive practices. In practical terms, it would require solar sales and installation companies to verify local net metering availability before contracting with customers, affecting solar installers, solar customers, and utilities that offer or do not offer net metering programs. The bill does not create a net metering program itself, but it regulates how solar products may be marketed and sold when net metering is relevant to the customer’s expected savings.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of committee transcripts or recorded votes, the available record suggests a policy focus on consumer transparency rather than controversy in the legislative discussion. The bill appears designed to prevent misleading sales practices in the solar market by ensuring customers are told upfront whether net metering is available and what terms apply. No formal opposition, amendments, or vote history is provided in the materials, so there is no documented split in sentiment to report.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the burden placed on solar companies to obtain and provide utility verification before a sale or installation can proceed. Supporters would likely view this as a necessary consumer-protection measure to prevent misleading promises about bill savings, while critics could argue it adds paperwork, slows sales, and may be difficult where utility policies change or where buyback terms are uncertain. Another possible issue is that the bill applies to both for-profit and not-for-profit entities and treats each violation as a separate deceptive practice, which could raise compliance and enforcement concerns.