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Expert shares tips on ways to make solar panels more accessible to Houstonians

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Houstonians, here's how to get solar panels affordably. Photo by Kindel Media/Pexels

There’s no question that some homeowners feel a twinge of envy when they see solar panels appearing on homes in their neighborhood. The twin benefits of cutting utility costs and participating in renewable energy are alluring to many.

But as those homeowners consider going solar, many never take the plunge because of concerns about affordability, maintenance and uncertainties around qualifying for tax credits and other state and local rebates. For all its appeal, going solar can seem a bit daunting.

But there are more plentiful financing options available to many Texas homeowners that offer accommodating paths for acquiring solar. They also provide solutions to concerns around maintenance and affordability.

Two innovative strategies for switching to solar

Solar energy providers have been working diligently to deliver more convenient pathways for consumers to make the switch. Recently, two new strategies were introduced in Texas: direct, loan-based ownership, and third-party ownership.

Direct system ownership

With this option, homeowners take out a loan to cover the cost of their solar system and its installation. They can then repay that loan over timeframes ranging from five to twenty-five years.

There are varying rates and terms available to accommodate the preferences and goals of individual homeowners. And while manufacturer warranties and installer workmanship warranties have been available to homeowners, it is important to look for companies that offer guarantees for an extended period of time given that most systems can last several decades. For example, Freedom Forever offers a 25-year production guarantee that provides consumers with a measure of comfort around the long-term costs of owning these systems.

Third-party ownership

Another solar financing option involves third-party ownership using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or lease. With a PPA option, a third-party owns the system, and homeowners either agree to buy power at a pre-defined rate per kWh or through a set monthly payment. Homeowners also have the option of leasing the panels for comparable pre-defined rates or monthly payments. (Maybe add one more sentence that explains the difference between PPAs vs lease).

With these two options, the third party insures and maintains the system. This alleviates some of the maintenance and up front cost concerns that have held some back from solar.

Issues to consider before making the switch

Even with the availability of these new options, solar power doesn’t always make sense for everyone. Your personal energy goals and preferences, as well as your tax situation, are important factors to consider when making this decision. Here are some questions folks should ask before making the switch:

  • Would I prefer owning the system outright or relying on a third-party to handle insurance and maintenance?
  • Am I looking for monthly savings now through a PPA or lease or would I prefer the quickest payback and return on investment?
  • Do I have a tax liability that enables me to get a Federal Tax Credit?

The answers to these questions will help you determine which option, if any, makes sense for you. It’s important to remember there is no “best solution for everyone” when considering your options; there’s only the question of what’s right for you.

Other important considerations

Keep in mind that not everyone will qualify for one of the solar options described above. Even in these cases, your state, local utility or a regional credit union may offer alternative financing options that can help you access solar.

Home equity lines of credit may also be a fitting option for some. Dsireusa.org is an excellent resource to help you investigate what incentives and programs are available in your area.

Final tips

As with any important financial decision, it’s a homeowner’s’ responsibility to practice due diligence in terms of assessing what they can afford and who they buy from. Here are some recommended best practices:

  1. Always get several quotes from various companies.
  2. Ask about production guarantees and warranties.
  3. Ask about the need of a service panel upgrade at the start.
  4. Verify that the company you choose offers products that will work with your home construction and roof.
  5. Prioritize solar providers with an extensive list of authorized dealers, such as Freedom Forever.
  6. Confirm that your prospective solar partner has purchasing options around loans and financing and can help you identify the option that best suits your needs.

The good news is that more homeowners than ever before can now feel more comfortable moving to solar. The new options described above for financing and maintenance can make that switch considerably less daunting than it seemed only a few years ago.

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Robert Angell is the vice president of sales operations at Freedom Forever, one the nation’s largest solar installers.

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Sage Geosystems taps Halliburton to advance Nevada geothermal project

power partnership

Houston-based Sage Geosystems has selected oil and gas powerhouse Halliburton to provide cementing and stimulation services at its enhanced geothermal project in Nevada known as Project Vector.

“Our technology and experience will support Sage as it advances its geopressured geothermal technology,” Shawn Skobel, vice president at Halliburton, said in a news release.

Halliburton will provide Sage with technical modeling, engineering design, and field execution support as part of its specialized cementing and stimulation services at Project Vector at Ormat Technologies' Blue Mountain geothermal power plant. Sage announced the location of the geothermal project in September.

At the time, Sage said it expected to begin drilling the first well at Project Vector this year, with the first electricity to be generated in 2027 and full-scale production to start in 2028.

The project will use Sage’s enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) method in a two-well system to convert geothermal heat into electricity. The project aims to help meet industrial and residential demand, especially as data centers strain energy grids.

Founded in 2020, Sage has raised $159 million across three funding rounds. Its technology aims to reach Earth’s natural heat source deep underground for more consistent power generation and utilizes engineered subsurface reservoirs to minimize water and energy losses and increase net power output. Through the process, Sage says it can enable reliable, 24/7 power generation.

“One of the keys to scaling next-generation geothermal is combining innovative subsurface technology with the proven capabilities and execution of the oil and gas industry,” Jason Peart, Chief Operating Officer of Sage Geosystems, added in the news release. “Halliburton brings decades of experience in well integrity and reservoir stimulation, two critical components of our development approach. By selecting an established industry leader, we are strengthening our ability to execute Project Vector and demonstrate that Sage’s technology can be replicated and deployed commercially across a broad range of geologies.”

Sage is building off prior success of its South Texas SMECI facility, which began operations in August. Project Vector supports Sage’s growing commercial pipeline, which includes a 150-megawatt geothermal power agreement with Meta.

New study shows Houston is still feeling effects of 2014-16 oil crash

lasting impact

A new study from Rice’s Kinder Institute shows that Houston is still feeling the economic effects of the 2014-2016 oil crash, more than a decade later.

Though Houston, nicknamed the Energy Capital of the World, has continued to grow over the time period, the city has still fallen behind other comparable metropolitan areas in earnings and job creation, according to the research. The report is one part of a three-part series that will take a look at regional economic mobility and suggest ideas to expand opportunity.

“When you look at what’s happened in other locations, we’re losing ground,” Flávio Cunha, director of the Center for Economic Mobility at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, said in a release. “Our economy is growing, but it’s no longer growing at the rate it used to.”

Global oil prices fell 70 percent between 2014 and 2016, the report said, marking one of the three largest declines since World War II and the longest-lasting downturn since 1986. The report excluded pandemic-related gaps, and it mentions 2017’s Hurricane Harvey as a possible indicator that economic growth stalled after the 2014-2016 oil price crash recovery.

To understand the long-term impact of the crash, researchers compared Houston’s economic performance with 54 metropolitan areas like San Antonio, Pittsburgh and others with less dependence on the energy industry.

Some of the key findings in the report included:

  • Job creation: In 2019, Houston had approximately 240,000 fewer private-sector jobs than similar cities. Employment was 15 percent lower in goods-producing industries and 4 percent lower in the services industries than the control group.
  • Income shifts: Income per resident was 13 percent lower compared to the peer group. Workers who remained employed earned 10 percent less between 2015 and 2019 than in other metros. The 13 percent drop in income equates to roughly $76 billion a year in forgone income, or $10,700 per resident per year in 2025 dollars. The decline was a trend across every age group, education level and sex.
  • Population changes: The rate of people moving to Houston slowed, rather than a surge of people leaving.
  • Hiring changes: Hiring fell sharply for young workers ages 19-24.

Cunha says the most surprising finding was that these trends persisted a decade later. According to the report, by 2024, Houston’s wages and income per resident remained about a fifth and a sixth below those in peer cities, and jobs per resident had continued to lose ground.

“What really surprises me is not that there was this change. It’s that this change has been long-lasting,” he added. “We followed it up to 2024, and we still don’t detect that the economy has recovered from that one shock.”

Read the full report here.

2 fast-growing energy cos. are finalists for Houston Scaleup of the Year

Meet the finalists

From IPOs to groundbreakings, some of Houston's most innovative companies reached major milestones this year.

As part of InnovationMap's 2026 Houston Innovation Awards, the Scaleup of the Year category honors innovative later-stage startups that have recently reached a significant milestone in company growth. Three scaleups have been named finalists for the 2026 award, two of which are in the energy transition sector.

Read more about these businesses, their founders and their breakthrough technologies below. The 2026 winners will be announced on InnovationMap.com in mid-November.

Erock

Energy infrastructure company Erock, previously known as Enchanted Rock, develops dual-purpose microgrids that rely on natural gas and renewable natural gas to produce lower carbon emissions and air pollutants than diesel generators. Its products can provide bridge power before grid interconnection, backup power during outages and dispatchable capacity that supports long-term grid reliability. The company has more than 1,100 megawatts of installed capacity and over 20 years of experience serving commercial, municipal and large-scale technology customers.

Erock completed its initial public offering this year, raising approximately $600 million in gross proceeds. It also grew its contracted power system sales backlog to approximately $1.7 billion, up tenfold year-over-year, with production sold out through 2028, according to the company's application. The company secured a major equipment order from Anthropic, began construction of the 366-megawatt El Paso Electric project supporting Meta's data center campus, and started assembly operations at its Hyperion facility in Cypress, Texas.

Hertha Metals

Hertha Metals produces lower-cost, lower-emission steel and high-purity iron. The company has developed a single-step process that uses natural gas as a direct reductant instead of metallurgical coal, which cuts production costs by more than 25 percent and emissions by up to 50 percent, according to the company. The same process produces high-purity iron needed for high-purity steels and rare earth magnets. The company says it aims to "re-industrialize America’s production of critical materials."

Hertha Metals was founded by CEO Laureen Meroueh in 2022 and emerged from stealth last year with more than $17 million in venture capital funding. The company closed a $133.65 million Series A last month and also broke ground on its $100M high-purity iron factory known as Chalyx in Conroe.

Venus Aerospace

Spacetech company Venus Aerospace is developing a high-thrust rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) that replaces the subsonic combustion used in conventional rocket engines. The RDRE is a compact, simpler engine that can deliver up to 15 percent greater efficiency for defense and space applications. It completed its first U.S. flight test of the engine last summer.

Venus Aerospace was founded in 2020 by CEO Cassie Duggleby and CTO Andrew Duggleby. It raised a $20 million Series A in 2022 and $42 million Series A2 in 2025. It closed a $91 million Series B earlier this year and expanded its leadership team. The company is working toward longer-duration and higher-thrust testing and advancing its flight program.

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This article first appeared on InnovationMap.com.

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