Solar co-op launches in Houston on anniversary of Winter Storm Uri

Houston, TX– On the one-year anniversary of winter storm Uri that left millions of Texans without power, the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability (MORS) and the nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced the launch of the 2022 Houston Solar Co-op. The group will help area property owners install rooftop solar and battery storage systems.

“Houston’s energy transition is a community-wide effort,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “The solar co-op is a great way for Houstonians to take part and learn about solar energy to determine if it’s right for their families, small business, or non-profit. We’re excited to again partner with Solar United Neighbors for this effort.”

This is the second city-wide solar co-op that SUN has coordinated in collaboration with the City. The solar co-op will help property owners go solar and contribute to local investments in renewable and resilient energy. These are important components of the Houston Climate Action Plan. Last year’s group attracted nearly 300 members.

“More and more Houstonians are turning to solar and battery storage for self-sufficiency, which has the added benefit of making our grid more resilient,” said Hanna Mitchell, Texas Program Director for Solar United Neighbors. “Together, we’re building a movement to create a more sustainable electricity system that directly benefits households and small businesses in the community, while reducing strain on the grid.”

Last year, winter storm Uri hit Texas with a one-two punch. Below freezing temperatures caused electricity demand to skyrocket. At the same time, the storm damaged critical energy supply. The result was large-scale blackouts that killed several hundred people. During the storm, solar and storage proved resilient. Adding more solar energy will ease the strain on the electric grid that future storms could cause.

The co-op is free to join. Joining is not a commitment to purchase panels. It is open to homeowners and business owners, as well as churches and other non-profit groups in Houston. Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a discounted group price.

Members have the option to individually purchase panels, batteries and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate.

SUN facilitates a competitive bidding process. This year to accommodate the demand for solar, the city will be divided into four quadrants. Co-op members from each quadrant will then select a single solar company to complete the installations in their area. SUN provides guidance on the process but remains vendor neutral. Each co-op member receives a bid from the selected installer. Members decide individually to install any combination of solar, batteries and/or electric vehicle chargers.

SUN has hosted 10 other solar co-ops in Texas since 2018. According to the group’s estimates, homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 1.35 MW of solar power, $1.7 million in local economic spending, and nearly 20,000 tons of lifetime carbon offset.

Along with community partners including Greentown Labs, Houston Renewable Energy Group, South Union CDC, local chapters of the Sierra Club, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and Interfaith Power and Light, SUN will host several free informational webinars to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions at the solarunitedneighbors.org/houston.

Informational webinars are planned for the following times:

Saturday, February 26 at 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m.

About Solar United Neighbors
Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in Texas and nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Solar co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.