Solar Projects Impact
To advance the equitable adoption of solar energy in Austin, Solar Austin partners with community organisations to install crowdfunded and donated photovoltaic (PV) and storage systems.
Providing clean energy to our community
In recent years, we’ve been intentionally seeking to expand our donated community installations. Winter storm Uri in 2021 really highlighted the need for the city to have more community resiliency centers that could help power essential loads during power outages. We know these climate catastrophes will continue to happen more frequently and intensely. Solar Austin works with community partners to expand access to clean and reliable energy to all of Austin, especially historically disadvantaged folks. Together, we are transitioning from costly, polluting fossil fuels to a renewable source with lower operation and maintenance costs that are also best for our planet.
Benefits of going solar in Austin, TX
Solar is an investment that will last you 25+ years and can qualify for local and federal incentives. Consider some of these key benefits when going solar:
Reduced electricity bills: You can significantly lower your monthly utility bills by generating your own electricity. The savings can add up quickly in Texas, where electricity rates are relatively high during peak summer or winter.
Predictable costs: Solar panels can protect you from rising energy costs. With a solar system, future energy costs become more predictable and manageable. Own your power.
Increased home value: Homes with solar panels often sell at a premium compared to those without. Prospective buyers recognise the value of lower electricity costs and the environmental benefits.
Environmental benefits: You contribute to a cleaner energy grid by reducing the amount of fossil fuels used to generate electricity. Power generation from fossil fuels is one of the highest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions that have caused climate change. Coal and natural gas-burning generators are also major sources of air pollution and large users of water.
Community Installation Case Studies
Solar Austin projects are making a lasting impact in our community.
KOOP Radio Solar (20.5 kW)
In September 2025, Solar Austin worked with local installers and suppliers to furnish and install a 20.5kW rooftop solar system at KOOP Radio. The solar system offsets about 75% of the electrical costs of the radio station.
Thanks to contributions from Lighthouse Solar, Enstall Empower/Iron Ridge, American Youthworks, Imperial Star, The Meadows Foundation, and H-E-B for the material and services provided to the project. Read more on our blog post here.
GNDC East Knight House (12 Kw / 27 kWh)
In November 2023, Solar Austin worked with local installers and suppliers to furnish and install a 12KW rooftop system and a 27 KWH Battery Backup system at Gudalupe Neighbourhood Development Corporation’s East Knight House. The solar system offsets the electrical needs of the community space, and the solar and storage system will provide resiliency services to the local community at Guadalupe-Saldana community neighbours.
Thanks to contributions from Wells Fargo, CED Greentech, Tesla, Longhorn Solar and Lighthouse Solar for the material and services provided to the project. The remodelled community centre recovered a historic building and has redeveloped an existing building into a modern, efficient, and resilient centre while preserving the historic character.
The Children’s Haven (8.7 kW / 20 kWh)
In partnership with Solar Austin, The Children’s Haven Association (TCHA), a 75-year-old nonprofit, installed an 8.64 kW photovoltaic (PV) system at its historic facility at 1908 Chicon Street in the heart of East Austin’s Blackland community.
Founded in 1946, and led by pillars of the community like Alfred Dotson, Sr. who actively served as president from 1977 to 2021, The Children’s Haven Association has a quiet but powerful history of community engagement that empowers its members and serves as a bedrock in the Austin community.
Solar Austin’s board member Kenneth Thompson is thrilled with the historical connections to TCHA; he attended daycare in the facilities many years ago!
The entire initiative took about ten months from start to finish. Donations and partnerships from Lighthouse Solar, Freedom Solar, Unirac, Del Valle ISD’s Opportunity Center, NATiVE Solar, Enphase, Kinect Solar, Austin Energy, and CED Greentech made the project a reality.
Community First (Mobile Loaves and Fishes) (14.5 kW)
In 2019, Solar Austin coordinated donations of solar panels/components and managed volunteer labor from local companies to install a 14.5-kilowatt system at Community First Village, which houses people transitioning from homelessness.
Partners who made these projects possible - We thank you!
Solar Austin is looking for new partnerships to help nonprofits get solar – for free whenever we can manage that. The first step is to fill out a short questionnaire that will help us determine if your building and situation might be a good fit. We’re a small nonprofit with limited resources, so we can’t promise to help every organization that fills out this form, but we’ll do what we can.
