RENEWABLOG

Wattbot Selected as a LaunchPad10 Company at Earth2Tech's Green:Net

Moving out of stealth mode in late 2008, Diane Loviglio and Kurt Brown's green consumer Web site Wattbot has been selected as an Earth2Tech Green:Net LaunchPad company, welcomed to debut their innovative ideas at the Green:Net conference in San Francisco on March 24. The LaunchPad10 also includes the green, early-stage companies Visible Energy, PacketPower, FarmsReach, dot U, GreenWizard, Adaptive Meter, OneDidIt.com, The Almanac and BLDG 2.0.

I recently lunched with Loviglio to discuss Wattbot's private beta, enabling a tool that Earth2Tech's Katie Fehrenbacher describes as "a sort of middle man for interested consumers and energy providers...a smart use of Web 2.0 and clean power."

Loviglio, VP of Business Development, told me she's more focused on Wattbot's private beta customers than anything else these days, as these are the early users whose opinions will shape the forthcoming launch. Starting with the four major metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and New York City, Wattbot invites homeowners to sign up online and determine the renewable energy option(s) that are ideal for their home. 

"It's highly personal and customized," Loviglio says. "We can't tell you anything until you put in your zip code and get started. From there, Wattbot is your unbiased source and educational tool. We'll show you everything you need to get going."

Starting with the most accessible and available home technologies, Wattbot creates personalized recommendations for each user, determining if rooftop photovoltaics, solar hot water (aka solar thermal), solar pool heating or appliance updates (such as washer, dryer or refrigerator upgrades) can give them the biggest bang for their buck when it comes to energy efficiency and monthly savings on the utility bill.

With more than 100 solar installers and other vendors participating in its private beta, Wattbot can provide a myriad of options for the curious homeowner, yet Loviglio told me that being a trustworthy source to the user remains a core element of the company's value proposition.

"We'll let you know on your recommendations page if there isn't a good option for your home at this time, which could be dependent on anything from local incentives to specifics of the home. Wattbot will contact you when an ideal energy saving technology becomes available for your home."

Wattbot has hundreds of homeowners in its private beta and stay tuned for its public launch. For addition background, visit Earth2Tech's coverage of Wattbott.

Posted by Whitney Phaneuf on February 24, 2009 at 11:43 PM