CitizensNet

January 19, 2023

Nearly 1000 Houstonians Have Signed Up for Texas Solar Switch Houston to See if Solar is Right for Them
Program offered by City of Houston and Solar United Neighbors moves forward with next step, installers selected and offers now available for existing and new registrants

In the weeks following the launch of Texas Solar Switch Houston, nearly 1000 residents signed up to learn more about solar and whether or not it’s right for them. The high level of interest in the program speaks to Houstonians growing desire to access the benefits of producing your own power. Whether for financial, climate-related, or a host of other reasons, residents are looking for ways to learn about rooftop solar and reap the rewards.

The City of Houston, in partnership with Solar United Neighbors, launched Texas Solar Switch in November. The program offers homeowners and small businesses a convenient way to learn about and install rooftop solar panels and battery storage. Texas Solar Switch leverages the power of group buying and the expertise of nonprofit Solar United Neighbors to ensure participants get a quality system at a discounted price. Texas Solar Switch runs a reverse auction and selects installers to serve the group.

With enough sign ups in the first couple weeks of the program, Texas Solar Switch ran the reverse auction in December. The program selected RISE Power, Trismart Solar, and Sunshine Renewable Solution as the installers. They will now be sending personalized offers to anyone who signs up for the program until February 21.

"Leveraging the power of group buying through Texas Solar Switch can help participants get a discounted price on a rooftop solar installation, while receiving additional support through each phase of the process," said Hanna Mitchell, Texas Program Director for Solar United Neighbors.

Combined with the new Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy incentives, Texas Solar Switch Houston makes it easier than ever to go solar. The program is another step towards reaching the City of Houston’s Climate Action Plan goal to generate 5 million MWh per year of local solar.

“We’re very excited by the initial interest in Texas Solar Switch and we’re hoping to see a lot more solar going up around the city as a result,” said Thomas Pommier, Deputy Assistant Director at the Mayor's Office of Resilience and Sustainability. “The program will also help homeowners and small businesses save on their energy bills and support the City’s local renewable energy goals outlined in our Climate Action Plan.”

It is FREE to register online at TexasSolarSwitch.com/houston, and there is no obligation for homeowners to purchase solar panels. Houstonians will have the option to move forward with a solar installation based on program-negotiated pricing that includes the group discount.

Texas Solar Switch’s most recent auction is expected to save Houston area residents an average of $7,100 on a standard-sized system. The IRA federal solar tax credit can further reduce costs by an additional 30%.

About Texas Solar Switch Houston
Texas Solar Switch Houston is a no cost program to the City of Houston offered through Solar United Neighbors – a 501(c3) non-profit organization dedicated to solar education, advocacy, and consumer protection – and iChoosr, international experts in solar group purchasing.