One of Borrego Solar Systems' solar energy kiosk in Sam's Club.

Convincing the masses to embrace solar as an option is a tricky prospect. But Mike Hall, the president of Borrego Solar Systems, is putting a plan in place that he thinks will induce a critical mass of solar energy customers sooner rather than later.

Borrego Solar Systems, a designer and installer of home solar-electric systems, plans to place informational kiosks in nine Southern California Sam's Club stores, the wholesale division of Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT). The kiosks would complement Sam's Club's Home Efficiency Centers, displays that showcase products the company says will help consumers save energy, water and money. The Home Efficiency Centers would include displays created by Borrego that explain home solar energy systems.

Borrego designed "end caps" to place at the end of aisles in each of the nine Sam’s Clubs locations. Each display includes a sample panel, facts about solar power, information about tax incentives and contact information for Borrego. Since Sam's Club locations are discount warehouses, Borrego is also offering a discount of $100 per kilowatt on systems sold through the partnership. The investment of "tens of thousands of dollars," he says, will put his company and the option of home solar installation in front of the eyes of millions of consumers.

It’s a huge opportunity for a company that currently serves between 500 and 700 customers per year through five locations in California and one in Massachusetts. Borrego may not be huge, but it is growing, Hall says. Revenues grew 100 percent  in 2007, and are projected to reach $60 million in 2009.

Borrego’s contract with Sam’s Club is for one year, though Hall says he expects the contract will be renewed or extended before it expires. Borrego has received hundreds of inquires since launching the program Aug. 12. Hall says he expects about half of the inquiries would turn into bids for services.