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.

Next Solar Workshop is schedule for May 18, 7PM at Rec Center

There is still time to sign up this week for a Solar Workshop next Monday,  May 18th.

At this point in time, it may be the last group workshop.   All of us who have been working to bring the message about the advantages of Solar PV system want to thank everyone who has listened and come to a workshop to learn more.    Many of you have found your homes compatible with Solar panels and are in the process of getting them installed.   The response has been wonderful and exceeded our expectations.

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

What do you do if you are reading this after May 18?   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. 
Sign up here by May 16

Solarize Wells Branch Extended

We were to have wrapped this up on March 15, but many have taken advantage of the education and the discounted cost and we still hear of more interest so we will continue and have a few more workshop dates.  We're not sure what the next date is yet but it will be within a couple of weeks so signup if you havent already. There is no obligation or hard sell, just education, including specific information and Solar PVcost pertaining to your specific roof.
Sign up here

The Next Solar Design Workshop is Scheduled

Our third workshop is now scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 7pm at the Wells Branch Recreation Center.  The address is 3000 Shoreline Drive.

The workshop will include education about how solar PV works, what the install process is and the discounted cost we have from Lighthouse Solar. You will work directly with a technical designer and you will go home with the initial design and cost of your specific installation.  You will be able to schedule "roof time" with an installer at the workshop.

If you have not already, please fill out the enrollment form  so that we have your contact information and address.   While walk-in's are welcome, we would like to give the Solarize vendor a chance to look at your roof via Google Map Pro before the meeting as well as provide everyone chairs.

Remember to bring a years worth of electric kWh usage information from your bills or your utilities web site.

If March 10 does not work for you, please still enroll if you are interested and also email solarwizewb@gmail.com to let us know that you need a different date.

We are seeing friends invite friends.   That is exciting!  Yes, you can do that with a friend from anywhere here in Austin and surrounding communities.

Shine On!
Solarize Advocate

Second Solar Design Workshop Scheduled

Our second workshop is now scheduled for Thursday, Feb 19th 7pm at the Wells Branch Recreation Center.  The address is 3000 Shoreline Drive.

While walk-in's are welcome, we would like to give the Solarize vendor a chance to look at your roof via Google Map Pro before the meeting as well as provide everyone chairs.

If you have not already please go to the enrollment page and fill in the enrollment form so that we have your contact information and address.   This also lets us know by the number of interested people if we need to schedule a third workshop.

If that Thursday does not work for you, please still enroll if you are interested and also email solarwizewb@gmail.com to let us know that you need a different date.

We are seeing friends invite friends.   That is exciting!  Yes, you can do that with a friend from anywhere here in Austin and surrounding communities.

Shine On!
Solarize Advocate

First Solar Group Design Workshop Scheduled!

The panel of homeowners has reviewed the bids from vendors and has chosen Lighthouse as the vendor of choice for this Solarize project.

We encourage everyone who has expressed interest in Solar Energy to attend a group design workshops. Our first meeting is scheduled for Sunday, Feb 8th at 2:15 at the Wells Branch Rec Center on Shoreline Drive.    You MUST attend one of these design workshops to participate in the group purchase through Lighthouse.     If Feb 8th does not work for you please email solarizewb@gmail.com and we will start working on a second workshop date.

If you have enrolled on our website you will be getting a call from either an advocate or from Lighthouse to see if you are interested in attending this workshop at this time.

Your neighbors on the homeowners panel worked hard to select the right vendor to bring a good solution to the neighborhood.   You will save money (compared to an individual quote)  from the initial cost due to the group purchase.  But price was not the only factor we looked at.   We wanted to make sure the best value was there in the components and the warranty.

Shine on!
Wells Branch Solar Advocates.

The  2014/2015 Solarize Wells Branch Project enrollment is OPEN and is extended to neighboring communities.

The project that started with the Wells Branch Solar Energy Fair continues. The current objective is to find one vendor that will deliver quality Solar PV installations with a discount.  In return, the Solarize project gives the vendor some number of qualified and educated potential customers in a small geographic area.  

One of the main benefits of "solarize" group purchase type efforts is to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar PV in a given local area.  Other communities that have successfully used these projects have found that the best results are generally achieved within the first two iterations. The Wells Branch group is associated with Solarize Texas and Solarize Plano .

You can use this web site to learn more as well as fill out the enrollment form to express interest in taking the next steps.  Contact us at solarizewb@gmail.com with any questions about the project or your specific issues.