Wells Branch Solarize

Wells Branch Solarize Project Enrollment Closed

We are closing enrollment in the Solarize project because the Oncor rebate funds have been fully committed for 2015.    The availability of the Austin Energy rebate this year at the level per watt may also be changing soon.

The Solarize Wells Branch results have been fantastic with 62 households going through the workshops and 23 households signing contracts that total 127 kW.    190,000 kWh produced annually will reduce the utility company water usage by 95,000 gallons.   It will also reduce the annual CO2 generated by the utility companies by 280,000 pounds.    This is equivalent to 404,000 miles not driven by a car.   This has more than doubled the goal of this project.

What do you do now if you are interested in Solar PV panels?   You can do the standard process of getting a quote from 3 different vendors for comparison.  Our Solarize Wells Branch vendor in 2015 has been LighthouseSolar.   Exploring the viability of Solar and determining the size of system that meets your goals does not cost you anything.   If you are an Austin Energy customer and they still have their rebate at the time you are ready to move forward, then you could do so.  

 If the utility company does not have rebate funds at the time of you making the decision, you can talk to your solar installation vendor about waiting until January 2016 to do the install.   This waiting could save you $4000 or more, depending on the rebate amount.    It might be November or December when the utility companies start accepting 2016 applications.   Talk to your installer and stay in touch with them to find out when they can move forward with the rebate application.   That will also be the time when you need to sign the contract and make the down payment.

Will we do another Solarize project in 2016?    We don't know at this time.  

You can view this website to learn more about Solar PV systems.     Our Solarize Wells Branch vendor in 2015 has been LighthouseSolar in Austin.   You could call them  at (512) 476-5555 and tell them you are interested in exploring solar.    You could look around the neighborhood and talk to your neighbors that have panels on their house to see which vendor they worked with and if they were happy with them and their system.