Solar Power Program Hopes to Shine in San Antonio

February 17, 2010

by SAJ Staff

San Antonio has been selected as the first city in Texas to participate in the One Block Off the Grid solar-power purchasing campaign.

San Francisco-based One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) is teaming up with Standard Renewable Energy to provide discounted solar-installation service in the San Antonio area. 1BOG was founded in 2008. The company is currently running campaigns in 10 cities across the United States.

Standard Renewable Energy is a solar installation company based in Houston.

Local residents who are interested in on-site renewable energy at their home will be able to get an evaluation from a solar adviser. Solar installation projects are becoming more popular throughout the country as more people are discovering that the sun can be harnessed for heating water and a host of other uses.

The two companies will host a free Webinar and online information session about the San Antonio solar campaign on Thursday, March 4, at 7 p.m. The link is available here.

1BOG is offering group pricing to San Antonio homeowners through May 16. In addition, San Antonio’s municipal utility, CPS Energy, separately provides rebates to encourage people to invest in solar projects.

“San Antonio is ripe for solar adoption: the combination of ideal weather conditions, great rebates and a local awareness of energy issues makes this a natural choice for a 1BOG campaign,” says 1BOG founder and CEO Dave Llorens. “We’re confident that providing a community buying option with transparent group pricing will help build confidence in solar power as a sound investment.”

Lanny Sinkin, executive director of Solar San Antonio, says thousands of local homeowners are interesting in solar. However, the cost of solar has been a concern.

“The group purchasing discount brought to San Antonio by 1BOG and the lower installation cost offered by (Standard Renewable Energy, as part of the 1BOG program) will help produce a surge in solar activity beneficial to homeowners and the entire solar industry in San Antonio,” he says.