Longhorn Solar to Unveil "Bonus Solar Rebate" Program for Austin Home & Garden Attendees That Stop by Booth #6 and Participate in a Free Solar Analysis to Learn How Much Money Solar Can Save

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - Jan 10, 2012) - Austin Energy customers that want to learn how much solar electricity their rooftops will produce are encouraged to stop by Longhorn Solar's Austin Home & Garden Booth #6 (www.longhornsolar.com) this weekend from 2:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday 5:00 p.m. at the Austin Convention Center.

All customers that stop by Longhorn Solar's booth will receive a "Bonus Longhorn Solar Rebate" valid through January 31, 2012. The bonus solar rebate can be combined with Austin Energy's solar rebate incentive of up to $15,000 and the 30% federal tax credit. All incentives pooled together will pay for approximately 70% of the customer's solar power installation.

Please note that the bonus rebate will save thousands of dollars for all customers that live in areas where no solar rebates are currently available. Call (512) 837-4800 for more information.

"Customers that have time to participate in our quick solar rooftop analysis will learn how to save up to $1,000 per year or more on their monthly electric bills," said Louis Petrik, Chief Operating Officer, Longhorn Solar. "For example, a 10-kW solar power array could produce approximately $115 worth of solar electricity per month, $1,400 a year or $35,000 over the lifetime of the solar panel's guaranteed 25-year life cycle."

The best thing about solar power is that it generates clean electricity during the hottest parts of the day when air conditioners are working overtime and when the price of electricity is very expensive.

As more and more distributed energy solar arrays are installed, the cost to produce power, transmit it and deliver it to the customer's premises will be reduced. Reduced electricity demand saves all Austin Energy ratepayers money, not just the customers with solar installations.

In fact, Texas utility companies will save more and more money over time because solar power significantly reduces their need to burn coal and natural gas; eliminates the need for external power purchases from other utility companies; and prevents line loss.