The City of El Paso has rolled out a free rooftop solar initiative to help homeowners determine whether solar makes financial sense before committing to an installation.
As KVIA reported, the effort could make one of the most expensive home energy upgrades far more accessible to local residents.
Here's what to know
Enrollment costs nothing, and participants receive help evaluating whether solar would work for their homes. In a news release cited by the station, the city said the effort is being carried out with Switch Together and the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors.
Homeowners who sign up can get a free recommendation outlining system choices and expected costs, with no requirement to buy. The city said Switch Together organizes qualified installers through a group-purchasing arrangement and a reverse auction, which pushes them to compete on price.
Fernando Berjano, the senior climate program manager for the city, summed up the appeal.
"Registering for Switch Together provides the opportunity to explore installing solar and achieve energy bill savings without any obligations to move forward with the installation," he explained, per KVIA.
The registration deadline is Oct. 14, and participants can opt out at any point if the program does not meet their needs, according to the station. The city also said that certain homeowners may be eligible for additional solar incentives.
Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy, especially when homeowners can compare multiple offers before signing a contract. And while the Switch Together program is designed to be incredibly helpful at the local level, anyone curious about solar costs can also try EnergySage, which is unaffiliated with Switch Together, to get quick solar installation estimates and compare quotes online for free.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. |
EnergySage may not be as locally focused, but it does recruit vetted solar installers — as well as battery and HVAC installers — to its platform and then solicits quotes from them without giving them the customer's information. The installers pay to be on the platform to reach people more easily, and customers can thus use it for free and connect with an installer more directly if they decide on one.
More background
The El Paso program addresses one of the biggest obstacles to home solar by tackling the high upfront cost and uncertainty in the process.
Rather than leaving residents to sort through installers and pricing on their own, the city-backed program is designed to simplify the search and surface more competitive bids.
KVIA reported that the city said a Switch Together auction produced a typical discount of 23% and average savings of $6,748, which constitutes a meaningful reduction for households considering a major home upgrade.
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The initiative also extends beyond solar panels. Residents can explore home battery storage and electric vehicle chargers, which could help households lower utility bills, strengthen backup power options, and prepare for cleaner transportation.
What can be done?
The program offers a low-risk way to compare projected savings against upfront costs.
"If the personal recommendation does not make financial sense for their household, they may withdraw at any time," Berjano commented, per KVIA.
Free comparison tools can also be useful beyond this city program. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations.
Readers can also use EnergySage's solar map, which shows the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level and details solar panel incentives for each state. Together, those resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is also one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save on energy costs, and go off-grid. Homeowners who want to compare options can explore EnergySage for information on home battery storage choices, including competitive installation estimates.
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