Texas

EV Charging in Texas -

Solar Power in Texas -

 In 2026, Texas continues to take a market‑focused stance on commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging projects, emphasizing private deployment and federal collaboration rather than extensive state‑level incentives. Texas has built a regulatory framework under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) that requires commercial EV charging providers to register their equipment and comply with consumer‑protection and fee‑disclosure rules before offering services to the public, and the rules standardize operations such as fee transparency and inspection authority effective through 2026 and beyond. These regulations aim to bring stability and reliability to a rapidly growing charging market while leaving decisions on investment and operation largely to private firms and third‑party operators rather than direct state subsidies.

 Texas also leverages significant federal funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which supports the build‑out of high‑speed charging stations along designated highway corridors. The state has already opened its first NEVI‑funded station in Happy, Texas—including multiple fast chargers with both CCS and NACS connectors—showing active progress in deploying infrastructure with federal dollars that cover a large portion of eligible project costs. These federally backed projects are intended to fill critical gaps along interstates and rural routes, enabling longer‑distance EV travel and encouraging commercial operators to install and maintain stations in returns for NEVI grants.

 Despite this infrastructure momentum, Texas does not offer broad state‑level financial incentives specifically for commercial EV charging installations, leaving developers to rely on federal tax credits like the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit, which can provide up to a 30 % credit on qualifying charging equipment costs, and in some local cases on utility rebate programs. Businesses seeking to deploy commercial charging must navigate federal incentives, local utility rebates, and compliance with state regulations, but the absence of dedicated state rebates reflects Texas’s preference for a free‑market approach to EV infrastructure growth. Overall, the state’s 2026 policy mix supports expansion through regulation and federal partnership while minimizing direct state‑funded incentives.

In 2026, Texas maintains a generally supportive yet market-driven stance on commercial solar projects. The state itself does not offer direct financial incentives like some other U.S. states, so developers and businesses largely rely on federal programs such as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC). These federal incentives provide up to 30 % of project costs as tax credits and reward electricity generation per kilowatt-hour, making solar investments economically viable for commercial users. Additionally, accelerated depreciation under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) helps businesses recoup capital costs more quickly, encouraging adoption. This combination of abundant solar resources and federal support continues to attract commercial and industrial solar development across the state.

 Federal policy changes in 2025–2026 have created uncertainty for commercial solar in Texas. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) altered eligibility for tax credits, imposing stricter timelines requiring projects to begin construction by mid-2026 to qualify for federal support. These changes, along with longer federal permitting processes, have put portions of the state’s planned solar and battery projects at risk; industry analyses indicate that up to 13 GW of projects could face delays or cancellations if developers cannot meet these requirements. The result is a commercial solar sector that is economically promising but operating under tighter windows for securing federal incentives and financing.

 At the state level, legislative activity has largely preserved the status quo for commercial solar. In 2025, several bills proposing new fees, permitting hurdles, or regulatory limits on utility-scale solar failed to advance, signaling that Texas policymakers remain cautious about restricting solar expansion. This political environment, combined with growing electricity demand driven by data centers, industrial growth, and population increases, positions commercial solar as an important solution for both cost savings and grid support. While developers must navigate federal policy shifts and occasional local regulatory challenges, Texas in 2026 remains a favorable market for commercial solar growth, balancing pragmatic state oversight with strong market incentives and robust natural solar resources.