Solar Screens

Solar screens reduce solar heat gain, UV damage, and glare while still allowing for outdoor views and natural light in your home.

Windows are a large source of heat gain, which refers to the transfer of heat into your home by the sun. A home’s windows contribute to 25% - 30% of heating and cooling energy use. You can add solar screens to existing windows to save energy without replacing your windows.

Solar screens provide some of the following benefits:

• Block up to 70% of the sun’s heat
• Reduce damaging UV rays
• Dramatically reduce heat gain
• Reduce household temperature by 10-15 degrees during warmer months
• Lower cooling bills
• Increase daytime privacy
• Protect against fading of furniture, draperies, rugs, and carpets

The rebate incentive for residential solar screens is $1.00 per square foot for eligible solar screen fabric.

Eligible solar screen fabric must have a heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.40 or lower.

Prerequisites

• Your home must receive electric service from Austin Energy at a residential rate.
• Rebates are available for new construction and/or existing residential property.
• By default, the rebate payment is directed to the customer listed on the Austin Energy electric account.
• Builders of new construction are not eligible for rebate.
• Solar screen replacements are not eligible if they received a rebate through an Austin Energy rebate program less than 10 years prior.
• Only owners of single-family homes, condominiums, town homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and rental properties are eligible.
• Your residence cannot be a mobile or manufactured home.
• Your participating contractor must submit your rebate application within 90 days of installation. Applications submitted beyond this time frame will not be approved.
• Participating contractors must comply with all program requirements and conduct business in an honest, professional, and ethical manner. All participating contractors must abide by the Austin Energy Code of Conduct and Ethical Requirements (pdf)​.

Requirements

• All installations must reduce peak demand for electricity.
• Deteriorated solar screens may be replaced with new solar screens.
• Manufacturer product information with the rated solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and warranty statement must be attached/submitted.
• Solar screen fabric/material must have a heat gain coefficient (SHGC) 0.40 or lower to qualify.
• An aluminum frame with approved listed material is required:
  • Frame component dimensions (depth/thickness, width and gauge): 3/8” x 3/4” and 0.020 gauge
  • If window screen mounting will not accept 3/8” frame, use 5/16” x 3/4” with 0.020 gauge
  • Center bar dimensions of 5/16” or 3/8” x 5/8” with 0.020 gauge
  • All screen corners must be mitered and use metal, NO plastic corner braces.
• Screen material must be stretched squarely and tightly, so it deflects no more than ¼” when gently depressed.
• Must fit snugly and evenly in or on the window.
• Solar screens must be installed and mounted with correct hardware.
• Screens must have more than half an hour of direct sunlight on over half the window to qualify for rebates.
• All solar shading shall be installed according to all applicable building codes and manufacturer installation guidelines
• Austin Energy reserves the right to deny or adjust all rebate applications.
• Austin Energy reserves the right to perform an inspection of the installation.

Rebate Recipient Eligibility Requirements

• Property owners or electric account holders purchasing and installing the equipment are eligible to receive the rebates.
• By default, the rebate payment is directed to the customer listed on the Austin Energy electric account. The rebate may also be directed to one of the below parties if all requirements are met.
  • The property owner, to be verified using county tax records.
  • A tenant at the property, when the property owner submits a signed Letter of Authorization (pdf) to issue the rebate to the tenant.
  • A property manager, when the property owner submits a signed Letter of Authorization to issue the rebate to the property manager.
• Participating contractors are not eligible to receive solar screen rebates.