Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

Clean power and energy independence have been touted throughout this year’s presidential campaign as a way to help both the environment and the economy.

Here in Central Texas, efforts are under way to promote renewable energy through legislative measures, as well as corporate programs.

Oncor will launch a program in 2009 offering rebates to customers who install solar technology in their residences, company spokesman John Toone said.

In addition, several bills filed in the Texas Legislature last week address energy efficiency, including a bill that states property owners associations can’t keep residents from installing solar panels; implementation of a grant program to start a green job skills training program; and a measure for deduction of the cost of certain renewable energy devices.

Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Round Rock, serves as chairman of the Business and Commerce Committee, which is responsible for energy efficiency issues.

Dan Madru of Fraser’s staff said that, while he couldn’t comment on any specific bills, the state senator has “generally been supportive of energy efficiency measures.”

As for Oncor, the company will spend $18.5 million to increase the awareness of solar photovoltaics technology and develop an infrastructure of trained solar PV installation and maintenance contractors, according to a press release distributed at the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association Conference in Austin last week.

“The program is designed to promote solar power, develop an infrastructure for installation and provide incentives for consumers to install them,” said Carol Peters of Oncor, who added that the company wants to build a network of contractors who are well trained in the technology.

The company will also provide incentives to residential customers to install solar PV systems with up to $2.46 per watt offered for up to 10 kilowatts. The program formally opens to the public Jan. 1.

“In general, we’re very excited that Oncor is doing this,” said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, a nonpartisan group that advocates renewable energy legislation. “There’s a huge consumer demand for solar power.”

Metzger said the public understands investing in clean energy like solar not only decreases dependence on fossil fuels, but also creates jobs.

“Texas is well placed to be a world solar leader,” he said. “We have some of the best resources … We’re in a really great position to capitalize on this market.”

Oncor’s rebate program “a really good first step to help defray some of the costs,” Metzger said.

Installing solar PV technology to a residence can cost between $20,000 and $30,000, depending on the size of the building, he said. The Oncor rebate program will pay a portion of that cost. There are also federal tax rebate programs that help offset the costs, he said.

“We expect that the demand for these rebates will probably exceed the supply,” Metzger said of Oncor’s rebate, adding that Environment Texas is “encouraging the Legislature to build on this program and offer a robust rebate program.”

In addition, consumers who install solar power can see reductions in their electric bills from day one, he said.

“We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity. It’s a good way to help the environment and a smart way to decrease energy costs,” Metzger said.

Environment Texas would like to see one million Texas roofs equipped with solar technology in the next 15 years.

Through 2012, Oncor will spend $100 million per year on developing energy efficiency programs. “We’ve already spent $245 million since 2002,” Toone said.

So far, 309,299 of the company’s 3 million customers have taken advantage of energy efficiency programs offered, including refrigerator recycling, low-income weatherization and energy efficient appliances, he said.