Solar San Antonio is a non-profit 501c3 that brings solar energy resources to residents interested in alternative energy sources. Consumers wanting to learn more about solar power have the ability to find valuable resources in a centralized location with the most up-to-date information available. The risk of finding a reputable installer is minimalized as SSA serves as the solar equivalent to the Better Business Bureau.
Though they had a meager start with only 5 assists in 2007, they were able to increase the number to 150 in 2010. Had a CPS Energy and installer backlog not occurred the number would have doubled.
While SSA funding comes from a variety of sources, one of the more valuable partnerships comes from City Public Service, San Antonio’s municipally-owned energy utility. By working with CPS, SSA is able to reach further into the community and impact solar energy consumption on a larger scale.
CPS itself hopes to have 20% of its energy sourced from renewable sources by 2020 and currently has issued an RFP for 50 megawatts of solar. Depending on pricing and the ability to meet an RFP stipulation of job generation and educational requirements, they could purchase as much as 150-200 megawatts.
A slight conflict comes in the form of rebates. While Solar San Antonio advocates for rebates across the state, CPS Energy has decided to begin to phase out the rebate since manufacturing prices have dropped. However, CPS remains motivated to purchase renewable energy in order to curb the ½ a billion dollar maintenance needs of 2 of its old coal plants. Although other alternatives exist, two of the most viable have been removed from consideration since the fallout from the Japanese nuclear crises and natural gas fracking scandal. This leaves wind and solar power as the leading alternative fuel choices.
Like other centralized organizations, the SSA seems to have similar success due to its ability to offer the masses clear and efficient information and by making themselves valuable not only to individual consumers but to large energy companies as well.
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