Longhorn Solar CEO Louis Petrik wants to see solar panels on top of every home in Texas with the goal of reducing electricity costs for homeowners and protecting the environment for future generations.

“Going solar is a win-win, saving money and helping to save the environment at the same time,” he said.

Before starting Longhorn Solar in 2009, Petrik was operating one of the largest holiday decorating companies in Texas and didn’t consider himself an environmentalist. He was walking through a home show and saw someone giving a presentation on solar energy that piqued his interest. Petrik realized he already had employees who were comfortable on rooftops and the necessary equipment to install solar panels. A year and a half later, after taking a class at Austin Community College, Longhorn Solar started installing solar panels on homes.

“I want to leave the planet in a better place for my kids and my grandkids,” Petrik said.

In addition to the environmental benefits, there are many financial incentives connected to using solar energy. The 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit that was just extended for 10 years through the new Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is one example.

“Many residents in Greater Austin are seeing fees added to their bills or their energy contracts doubling—and even tripling—when it's time to renew,” Petrik said. “Solar energy rates are holding steady around $0.10-$0.11 [per kilowatt-hour] compared to some electricity rates upwards of $0.17 [per kilowatt-hour] This would be the difference of $700-$900 a year for a 2,500-square-foot home.”

Petrik said most of the time during the day, your solar system is generating more electricity than you’re consuming. The excess electricity flows back into the power grid which allows you to generate a credit with your utility company, he said.

But even with all the financial incentives, many consumers remain hesitant because of misconceptions surrounding solar energy.

“A lot of people believe that it’s too expensive,” Petrik said. “Back when I started, it absolutely was too expensive. Only high-income homeowners could afford it. I would encourage everyone to look again because it has gotten way more affordable. You can finance a solar system now, and the payments on it are less than what you’re paying the utility company.”

Petrik said electricity prices have skyrocketed in the past 12 months and have far exceeded the cost of solar power on your home.

Another struggle with getting buy-in is due to the fact that most Texans find out about solar from someone knocking on their door, Petrik said. This is not the best way to buy solar, which is why Longhorn Solar does things differently, he said.

“You have people who are not trained and don’t know what they’re talking about using high-pressure sales tactics to get you to sign on the dotted line, so you don’t really get a good feel for solar,” he said. “ A lot of people have been taken advantage of in those situations.”

Longhorn Solar requires its account managers to complete extensive training before letting them talk to potential customers, setting it apart from other companies.

“We want our customers to have the peace of mind that what we are telling them is true,” Petrik said. “All of our account managers are certified solar experts. We require that they have their NABCEP certification before we ever let them speak to a customer. This usually takes at least three months of training before even being able to sit for the test.”

Petrik said Longhorn Solar account managers also take the time to explain how a solar system works. They don’t use high-pressure sales tactics. Instead, they go through an informative presentation with the customer and then sit back and let the customer make a decision on his or her own timeframe.

“We don’t try to force it,” he said.

Once a customer has decided to switch to solar energy, the installation process with Longhorn Solar is easy.

“We typically install our systems within one or two days for minimal homeowner hassle,” Petrik said.

Petrik said he often asks people, “If the utility company came around and offered you a chance to fix your electricity cost at a certain amount for the next 25 years and not have to increase the prices at all, would you do it?”

He said everyone would say yes, which is, in essence, what his company is doing with solar energy, he said.

“Don’t forget the batteries to back up your solar system,” Petrik said. “You do not want to be left in the cold in the winter or burning up in the heat of the Summer if the grid goes down.”

To learn more about Longhorn Solar, visit longhornsolar.com.

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