Solar San Antonio has found a way to remove the upfront-cost barrier to solar for homeowners. In a six week trial test of Solar San Antonio's initiative program, "Bring Solar Home" the community response far exceeded their expectations and demonstrated there is a huge demand for solar in San Antonio.

Shelby Ruff, Regional Director of Business Development, Solar Community of San Antonio is among more than 50 Texas business and government leaders speaking at Texas Renewables 2010 (http://TexasRenewables.org), Texas' premier business-to-business meeting for anyone in or wanting to be in the Texas renewable energy industry. The conference takes place November 7-10 in San Antonio and is organized by Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association, TREIA and hosted by CPS Energy.

After returning from Solar Power International (SPI), the largest solar power event in North America, many Texas solar energy businesses recognize with renewed conviction the opportunities in Texas.  Sharing a real time view last week at SPI, Tom Pash, president and CEO, ONtility of Houston said, “It is clear that everyone here believes that we are right at the tipping point for this industry and expectations are very, very high going forward.”

The Texas solar industry is definitely feeling bullish about this year and the next few years including Shelby Ruff who said of solar energy in San Antonio, “Solar Power in San Antonio is on the path to help put Texas on the National Map.  With organizations like CPS offering great rebate incentives, Solar San Antonio working with the community to get the word out and advocate for renewable energy, and San Antonio Credit Union offering solar loans, San Antonio could be one of the top solar markets in the country.  We’re proud to be a part of a growing solar energy industry in Central Texas.”

Solar San Antonio has run a trial test of their solar initiative program, Bring Solar Home.  Lanny Sinkin, executive director, Solar San Antonio reported, “In the 6 weeks of the initiative, we received more than 450 applications from homeowners asking our assistance in going solar.  This response far exceeded our expectations and demonstrated to us that there is a huge pent-up demand for solar in San Antonio.” Sinkin will discuss the Bring Solar Home Campaign in the "Removing the Up-Front Cost Barrier to Solar" workshop to be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, November 7 as part of the conference.  Solar San Antonio has organized a total of 3 workshops on Sunday, November 7th, the first day of the Texas Renewables 2010 conference.  They include:

  • Small Wind Systems for Homes and Small Businesses
  • Removing the Upfront-Cost Barrier to Solar
  • Green Building: What, How and Why?

Texas Renewables 2010 (http://www.TexasRenewables.org) provides the venue for forming valuable B2B alliances and keeping industry sectors informed on the latest business developments, regulations, federal and state grants and other renewable energy business opportunities. The conference starts Nov. 7th with the Texas International Business Connections Forum (no charge) and workshops organized by Solar San Antonio. It continues with over 50 speakers, including dozens of industry leaders and these key government officials:

  • Keynote Luncheon speaker PUC Chairman Barry Smitherman
  • Brian Lloyd, deputy director, budget, planning & policy, Office of the Governor, the State of Texas
  • Dan Woodfin, director of system planning, ERCOT
  • Dub Taylor, director, SECO
  • Jess Totten, director of policy, PUC
  • Doug Ridge, manager, Texas Industry Cluster Initiative, Office of the Governor, the State of Texas
  • Dwain Rogers, deputy commissioner renewable energy, Texas General Land Office

While at SPI Russel Smith, executive director, TREIA and co-organizer of Texas Renewables 2010 noted, “Since the last legislative session, Texas has moved from a tiny blip on the worldwide solar industry’s radar screen of business development potential to a flashing signal that can’t be ignored. The buzz in the exhibit hall at SPI was that if the Texas Legislature passes a solar incentive program, a significant non-wind portfolio standard, or both, we will see Texas move quickly into the top tier of states for solar development. Interest in Texas Renewables 2010 was high.”

Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) www.treia.org, is the oldest renewable energy non-profit trade organization in Texas whose work promoting development of renewable resources and their wise use has spanned a quarter of a century.

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