The City of El Paso has launched a group-buy program to help homeowners price rooftop solar, announced in an August 5, 2026 news release. Registration closes tomorrow, Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
| Item | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free, no obligation | City of El Paso |
| Deadline | October 14, 2026, to register and accept a recommendation | City of El Paso |
| Who it’s for | Local homeowners | City of El Paso |
| Discount | Average 23% in the most recent auction (one auction) | City of El Paso |
| Savings | Average $6,748 in that auction | City of El Paso |
How the group buy works
The city is working with Switch Together, a group-buying platform, and Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit. Switch Together pools interested homeowners and invites qualified installers to compete in a reverse auction, where installers bid prices down to win the group’s business. Participants then get a free personal recommendation that outlines options and estimated costs. The options include rooftop solar, home battery storage and EV chargers. Some participants may qualify for additional solar incentives, the city said.
The release lists no eligibility rules beyond being a local homeowner. Renters and people without a suitable roof aren’t the target. Participants can withdraw at any time. Fernando Berjano, the city’s senior climate program manager, said: “If the personal recommendation does not make financial sense for their household, they may withdraw at any time.”
What the 23% and $6,748 figures mean
The city’s release says the most recent auction secured an average discount of 23% and average savings of $6,748. It doesn’t name which auction that was, how many homes took part, or what price the discount was measured against. These numbers describe one earlier auction. They aren’t a promise for El Paso, and not what any one household will pay.
Why It Matters to You
- If you own a home in El Paso, you can register for free and get a personal recommendation without any obligation.
- You can compare options for rooftop solar, battery storage and EV chargers, and walk away if it doesn’t make financial sense.
- Time is short: registration closes October 14, 2026.
- Renters should look at community solar or other options instead.
The fine print
The 23% and $6,748 figures are city-reported averages from a single auction, with no published method or sample size. The Cool Down, which also covered the program, said it could not verify the figures from its own page and that they trace back to the city, as relayed by local station KVIA. No installer prices or final contracts are public yet, so the real price depends on the bids and on the home. Whether the model will spread to other Texas cities is a hope, not an announcement.
Quick answers
Does it cost anything to register? No. Registration and the personal recommendation are free, and you can withdraw at any time.
When does registration close? October 14, 2026. The city’s release lists registration at SwitchTogether.com/Solar/ElPaso.
Can renters join? The release describes the program as aimed at local homeowners. Renters should look at community solar or other options instead.
Will I get a 23% discount? Not necessarily. 23% was the average in one recent auction. Your result depends on the bids this round and on your home.
Sources
- City of El Paso: City Launches Program to Help Homeowners Explore Solar Energy Savings (Aug 5, 2026)
- The Cool Down: El Paso free rooftop solar program (accessed Oct 13, 2026)