Rays of Hope Austin

At this time, we are only installing systems on houses built to meet the Austin Housing Finance Corporation's requirements for S.M.A.R.T housing, or carefully selected homes owned by low-income Austinites.  We are currently working with American YouthWorks' Casa Verde Builder program.  When the house is complete, it will be available for purchase by qualified low- to moderate-income buyers.  If you are interested in being a recipient of the work of Rays of Hope Austin, click here to be taken to the Nurtured World website to download an application.

This depends on several factors: 1) the orientation and size of your roof  will drive the sizing and design of the system, 2) the complexity of the installation, 3) whether you choose to install a battery back-up for the system or tie into the utility grid, and 4) available rebates from your utility.  The average 3kW system in Austin Energy's service area, after rebate, will cost between $6,500 - $16,000 before installation.

This depends on several factors: 1) the orientation of your roof will determine how efficient your system is at producing electricity for your house, 2) how much energy is used by the household after the system is installed, 3) the amount of sunlight, and 4) what size system is installed.  Making a house as energy efficient as possible should always be the first step toward reduction of energy use.  Savings estimates for a 3kW system installed on a 1,000sf house vary between $255 - $465 per year, depending on the size of system installed and system efficiency.  The payback period varies between 7-25 years, based on the system installed.  This doesn't account for tax incentives that may be available, or the increase to the value of the home.