Customers

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle Mexican Grill is one of the leading fast-casual Mexican-chain restaurants with almost 400 outlets in 20 different states.   Their philosophy, "Food With Integrity" has had a huge influence on how they run their businesses: from staffing and training to the materials and systems used when building their restaurants.  SRE installed Chipotle’s first solar panel systems in 2008 and to date has installed a total of 33.2 kW across 7 locations in Texas and Colorado.  Now more than 525 kilowatts of additional solar power are planned for restaurants nationwide by the end of 2010.

SRE designates the following Chipotle locations as Genuine Green:

• Southpark Meadows, Austin, TX – 3.2 kW
• Mueller, Austin, TX – 3.2 kW
• Milwood, Austin, TX – 3.85 kW
• Scofield Farms, Austin, TX – 2.8 kW
• 45th and Lamar, Austin, TX – 4.55 kW
• Commerce City, CO – 9.8 kW
• Wadsworth and Hampton, Lakewood, CO – 5.8 kW

Jason's Deli

One of the country's fastest-growing restaurant companies, Jason's Deli currently has more than 170 stores in 21 states throughout the U.S. Jason's Deli has taken a  leadership position in the restaurant industry in its use of on-site renewable power. Jason's Deli installed its first solar PV systems on two stores in 2007, and currently has a total of 25 kW of solar power installed across 4 locations.

SRE designates the following Jason’s Deli locations as Genuine Green:

• I-35 South Austin, Austin, TX – 5.6 kW
• Arboretum Research Blvd, Austin, TX – 8.75 kW
• Hancock East 41st St. , Austin, TX – 5.6 kW
• Broadway, Beaumont, TX – 5.2 kW

Land Tejas Companies

Land Tejas Companies is a Houston-based real estate management and investment company that is currently one of the largest residential land developers in the greater Houston area and was named developer of the year in 2000.

In 2007, the Houston, Texas Lakes of Williams Ranch development was the first "hybrid" custom-home community in Houston, with 2 kW solar panel systems as a standard feature on every home.  

In 2009, Land Tejas launched their Genuine Green Solar Ready Homes in three new Houston area communities.  Every home in the community is pre-wired for solar, making a solar panel system installation and operation virtually effort free.  Ongoing "Solar Saturday" seminars educate potential homeowners about the advantages of solar panel and solar water heating systems.

SRE designates the following Land Tejas Communities as Genuine Green:

• Canyon Lakes West, Houston, TX
• Park Lakes, Houston, TX
• Sterling Lakes, Houston, TX

Wilshire Homes

Wilshire Homes of Houston has been recognized by the United States Department of Energy and the National Association of Home Builders’ as a leader in energy-efficient construction by awarding them the Gold 2008 EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA). 

In 2008, Standard Renewable Energy partnered with Wilshire Homes to install a state of the art 3.5 kW solar panel system on its model home in the Creekside Park community of The Woodlands, Texas to educate potential homebuyers on the benefits and ease of incorporating solar power into new homes. 

Children's Museum of Houston   

Rated a 5-star nationwide children's museum by Citysearch.com, voted “Ultimate Kid-Friendly Attraction” in a Houston Chronicle readers poll, and tied for the nation’s best children’s museums No. 1 spot in Child magazine, the Children's Museum of Houston is dedicated to transforming communities through innovative, child-centered learning. 

In 2009, the Museum underwent a major expansion to 90,000 square feet, including development of an environmental outdoor exhibit, the “EcoStation.”  A five-panel, 800 watt pole-mounted solar array next to the EcoStation produces 500 kWh of electricity each year, which is used to provide power to the exhibit.                         

In addition, the Children’s Museum installed a 55 panel, 8.8 kW solar array on the new parking garage structure.   This array produces 11,000 kWh of electricity annually and prevents more than 22,880 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year — the equivalent of planting 912 trees or keeping 768 cars off Houston streets for a day every year!

Houston Zoo

Operating since 1905, the Houston Zoo is home to over 4,500 permanent resident animals, and is visited by more than 1.6 million guests each year. Showcasing a variety of animals and ecostations, the Houston Zoo recently incorporated a solar panel system into one of their exhibits. Mounted on a concrete parapet wall on the lion's exhibit, the solar panel system now contributes to the park's power supply, and to the education of all the Zoo's visitors.

Made possible by the customer members of Green Mountain Energy Company’s Big Texas Sun Club® and SRE, the new solar installation at the Houston Zoo is helping to preserve the earth by using its natural resources as power supplies, while also doing their part to care for its creatures.

Discovery Green

Completed in 2008, Discovery Green is Houston's premier "green" park.  Located in the heart of downtown Houston, the 11.78-acre site is minutes away from the Toyota Center, Houston Center, George R. Brown Convention Center and Minute Maid Park.   As part of the City of Houston’s commitment to alternative energy, a 50 kW solar array was installed on the verandas of two of the park's new buildings. Producing 62,000 kWh of electricity each year, the solar panel system has the environmental impact of planting over 3500 trees.

In addition, SRE installed an online solar electric monitoring system, which displays data on a flat screen TV mounted inside the Alkaline building. The screen showcases the current, past, and cumulative energy production of the system as well as the corresponding environmental impact.

Tejas Securities Group  

This Austin, Texas-based company is a publicly-traded holding company and registered Broker-Dealer offering full-service brokerage and investment banking services. Tejas Securities proudly displays one of the largest solar PV energy systems in Austin, with a 22.44 kW system that produces almost 30,000 kWh of electricity annually.

Tarrant Regional Water District

TRWD is one of the largest raw water suppliers in the state of Texas, providing water to more than 1.7 million people in North Central Texas. Operations span an 11-county area and include more than 150 miles of pipeline. Featuring more than 27 miles of floodway levees designed by the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers, the system provides vital flood protection to area residents along the West and Clear Forks of the Trinity River.

Currently the largest solar system installed in Texas, the 238-kilowatt solar PV system onto the roof of Tarrant Regional Water District building. The system produces approximately 285,600 kWh annually.

City of Houston 

On exhibit at the City Code Enforcement Building is a model house donated by SRE.  The model shows visitors features of an energy efficient home ranging from insulation to CFL lighting to a solar panel system and solar water heating system. 

City of Austin

In 2008, SRE installed five different projects for the City of Austin, each with their own distinct requirements, which testifies to the diversity of SRE’s project competencies. The projects included a fire station, a health center, and three other city buildings and range in size from 5 kW – 23.4 kW, total of 60 kW installed.

City of Waco – Waco Chamber of Commerce 

Waco’s new “green” Chamber headquarters is now being powered partly by solar energy. Standard Renewable Energy installed 48 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that are mounted on the building’s roof. These panels convert sunlight into electricity, producing 9.6 kW of clean energy.

The solar array is nearly 720 square feet and will offset approximately 6.5 percent of the building’s annual electrical usage.

Group 1 Auto, Advantage BMW

Advantage BMW in Midtown Houston holds the honor of having the first automotive retail solar panel system installation in Texas.  Completed in 2008, this expandable 30.75 kW system produces 20% of the building’s total electrical usage and allows for additional panels to be added in the future.

City of Denver – Denver Human Services

The City and County of Denver’s added to their growing solar portfolio with their new 30 kilowatt solar panel system on the roof of the Richard T. Castro Human Services Center at 1200 Federal Blvd.

This 30 kW system is comprised of three 10 kilowatt arrays and received a rebate of about $135,000 through Xcel Energy Inc.’s “Solar*Rewards” program.

City of Galveston

The City of Galveston was devastated on September 1, 2008 when Hurricane Ike, the 3rd most destructive hurricane to ever hit landfall in the continental U.S. came ashore on Galveston Island.  In the aftermath the local population banded together and started to work on restoring the city.

SRE was there to work with city officials in the rebuilding effort.  Our hard work and diligence was rewarded with a three year contract to maintain the city’s heating and air conditioning  systems.  We are on the island full time working with ongoing restoration projects.

Galveston Historical Foundation  

Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) is one of the nation’s oldest nonprofit historic organizations and maintains one of the largest collections of 19th century historic buildings in the country.  In addition, the GHF maintains the Texas Seaport Museum and the ships The Ellissa, The Seagull II and The Santa Maria.

SRE joined forces with GHF over two years ago.  Most of the buildings were damaged heavily by the recent Hurricane Ike, and to date, SRE has helped in the restoration of the heating and air conditioning systems of nearly every building that the Galveston Historical Foundation maintains.

Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, Beaumont Reserve Fleet

The Maritime Administration is continuing its “Going Green” initiative with the successful acquisition and installation of rooftop solar panels to produce clean, renewable energy at the Beaumont, Texas, offices of the National Defense Reserve Fleet site.

The new system is comprised of 52 panels, and is rated as a 10.4 kilowatt system with an annual production capability of more than 12,000 kilowatt hours.  This system is expected to prevent emissions of more than 700,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) during the course of its expected 30-year service life.

Eglin Air Force Base - Florida     

On March 25, 2009, the first solar photovoltaic system was installed and accepted on Eglin AFB, FL for the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Building 102A. This 2.0 kW solar system installation was successfully completed by SRE under its General Services Administration contract as a precursor to larger solar photovoltaic systems throughout the base for energy savings.

As the largest military installation in the free world with an enormous utility bill to support the mission, Eglin AFB, FL strives to become the model for energy efficiency and renewable energy. In the near future, its diversified portfolio of assets will also include two (2) wind turbines at a remote test facility and a large, solar thermal system for hot water heating at its main dining facility.   

1st LEED Platinum Residence in Texas

Tucked into a 60-by-120-foot corner of Upper Kirby, this residence chose to build green with a house that features energy independence, low operations and maintenance costs, and a self-sustaining landscape.
   In 2008, a 23 kW system was installed on the roof to cover all of the home’s electrical needs and export additional power back to the grid. During the day, the home runs in real time off energy generated by the solar panels. At night, the house is on the grid. If the grid goes down, a back-up battery system kicks in. This home is the first LEED certified platinum home in Houston, TX.

“We consider ourselves environmental evangelists,” said resident owners.  “We wanted to make a statement.” SRE is proud to help residents make a statement and become more economically aware as they achieve lower utility bills, lower environmental impact, and great energy supply reliability.

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (GSSJC) and Green Mountain Energy selected Standard Renewable Energy to install the 10.08 kW PV array on their southwest freeway location.  The 10.08 kW, 56 Schuco 180 watt panels sit on a flat roof with a ballasted mounting system which allows no penetration into the roof membrane and preventing any weather leakage.   The 8 solar arrays of 7 panels are tilted at 10 degrees to optimize the combination of low wind loading, good solar collection, and enough angle to self-clean in a rain.  SRE used 2 Xantrex 5.0 inverters for this installation.

*This project was made possible by: Green Mountain Energy - Big Texas Sun Club, Shell Oil Company, El Paso Corporation, Ed Rachal Foundation, and Madison Charitable Foundation