Dive Brief:
- NRG Energy-owned Reliant Energy is offering Texans a new way to purchase solar energy, through a 1-year fixed-rate plan that will not require customers to install solar panels.
- The plan will allow Reliant to secure the renewable energy through purchasing renewable energy credits instead of developing and building out the solar arrays.
- Reliant has also partnered with Goal Zero, a maker of smaller solar and battery systems, to offer customers discounts on portable devices.
Dive Insight:
Community solar has long been touted as the best way to open access to solar energy to all customers, but Reliant's new approach could open up new methods for customers who can't afford solar panels or are reluctant to install them. But it also doesn't depend on building a large array of solar either.
Reliant's 100% Solar 12 Plan is a fixed-rate offering the power provider says will give customers more clean energy options, and it expands on innovative rate plans being offered in more deregulated states. The company has linked up with a manufacturer of small clean energy charging devices to give customers access to portable solar energy.
The company also said it has partnered with Goal Zero to provide discounts on portable solar and battery equipment. Customers of Reliant's can get 15% off Goal Zero purchases, though the systems are fairly small. The largest battery system is its 1,200 Wh Yeti system.
The company said there will likely be opportunities to expand renewable energy opportunities since its parent company, NRG, has obtained several developing solar projects from bankrupt renewables developer SunEdison in a $144 million deal.
