Cheap solar on the way for Houston

Two of the fastest-growing companies in their respective industries have unveiled a consumer electricity program that they say will put Houston on the solar energy map.

Ontility, a Houston-based renewable energy distributor, is partnering with another hometown company, electricity retailer Champion Energy Services, to launch the ambitious solar electricity installation program, focusing on a competitive pricing structure for consumers.

“It’s going to be the cheapest solar rate ever in Texas,” predicts Tom Pash, Ontility CEO.

Dubbed the “Powered by Ontility Solar Seed Houston Program,” Pash says it will make up for the lack of a utility rebate for solar power customers in Houston.

“We are going to create our own program to fuel solar through a big-buy discount program designed for Houston,” Pash says. “This should put Houston on the solar map.”

Ontility has joined with six local certified partners to offer solar power to businesses and residents for about 40 percent of the current market rate of between $6 and $7 per watt.

“The program is also designed to simplify the system installation process and make getting solar no different than getting satellite TV or a new big-screen TV from Best Buy,” Pash says. “The complete program from sign-up to installation will be tracked via a live, community-based social networking portal that will show all solar installations in Houston as well as show how much solar power Houston is generating as a community.”

The companies’ goal is to install 1,000 systems this year in Houston and as many as 3,000 in 2011.

Read the full story in the Houston Business Journal.