The Solar Reflector      
Newsletter of the Texas Solar Energy Society - November 2016


We need your support to to continue to promote energy efficiency and clean, renewable solar power in Texas. 

 

Events on the Horizon

We've just finished up a flurry of solar events in the state- The DFW Solar Tour, Hill Country Solar Tour, Bluebonnet Solar Tour and San Antonio's Solar Fest. But there is more as we coast to the end of 2016. 
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  Nov. 9-11
Georgetown

The TREIA annual conference, GRIDNEXT, will be in Georgetown, the city that has chosen to meet 100% of its electricity needs with wind and solar energy. Connect with thought leaders and businesses across the Texas energy industry.  
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  Dec 19 -21
San Antonio

The CATEE Conference connects public and private decision makers. It aims to help improve the choices that determine the energy and water intensity of the built environment, seek alternative renewable energy sources and reduce related emissions. 
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Solar Decathlon 2017
Denver, CO
Oct. 9-12

Eleven months away but plan now! ASES Solar 2017 will be held in conjunction with the DOE Solar Decathlon 2017.

Our Chapters
Around the State

Remember that we have chapters in North Texas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston -  all working to promote the value and adoption of clean, sustainable solar power.
Check out our calendar for more events around the state and the nation.



No, not that one!

We're talking about four member-at -large seats on the TXSES Board! Interested in  becoming a  candidate?  Read more

We are proud members of  EarthShare Texas , which raises funds for over three dozen environmental non-profits in the state. If your company is interested in a workplace giving campaign, drop us a note.

EarthShare also partners with Reliant Energy and their  EcoShare   program. Another opportunity to support environmental non-profits -and TXSES!

TXSES is a Chapter of the American Solar Energy Society
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ASES  has been shining a light on the solution since 1954.
Become a member of ASES and receive Solar Today Magazine. Support the national organization that focuses on a clean energy future for our country.




Chairman's Corner
Ross Pumfrey
 
This is our fourth and final Solar Reflector for 2016. In this "Chairman's Corner," I want to take note of selected events over the past ten months, offer the latest approximation of how much solar generation is expected to be in operation by the end of the year in Texas, and then briefly introduce you to the articles you can read in this issue.

The Texas Solar Energy Society and its chapters have finished holding all their home tours and other public festivals for the year. The five home tours (in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, the Pedernales Electric Co-op, and the Bluebonnet Electric Co-op) drew a total of approximately 1,870 attendees. The annual Solar Fest in San Antonio (just this past weekend) attracted an estimated 6,500 visitors!
 
Solar energy has begun to surge in Texas, with an expected one gigawatt (1 GW, or 1,000 MW) to be in operation by the end of the calendar year, compared to just 542 MW at the end of 2015.



Throwing Shade on Texas
 
 
By Paul Gonin and Ross Pumfrey, TXSES

The adoption of rooftop solar in some of the sunniest regions of the United States lags far behind regions with inferior solar prospects. Does this paradox suggest our nation is squandering an opportunity to capitalize on the economic and societal benefits of distributed solar energy?

Will Texas, second in the nation in rooftop solar potential, embrace this important resource or will wind, buttressed by utility-scale solar, dominate our renewable energy landscape?   Read More


Community Solar: Right-Sized Solar for Everyone


 

By Katherine Searcy, Cation Consultants, PLLC

Over the past decade, a new solar market has gradually taken root across the country. Filling the gap between homegrown rooftop systems and large, utility-scale solar farms, community solar promises to expand solar access to everyone.

Through community solar programs, electricity consumers voluntarily purchase or subscribe to part of a large solar array. In return, participants' electric bills reflect a portion of the financial or electricity credits for the clean energy produced.  Read More




Solar Energy and Texas' Municipally Owned Utilities
By 
Lissa King Magel, NTREG


More than 4.1 million Texans, about 15 percent of the state's population, receive their power from a municipally owned utility (MOU). The 72 MOUs in Texas each own and operate their own distribution infrastructure and, in some cases, transmission lines and power plants.

Because they are locally owned and controlled, Texas MOUs can innovate and adopt policies reflecting community priorities, unlike investor-owned utilities that are accountable to distant stockholders. 

Thus it's not surprising that it was MOUs that took the lead in the deployment of solar in Texas, as recently highlighted in "  Boom Time in Texas",  a featured article in PV Magazine.  Read More


The Solar Reflector is a publication of the
Texas Solar Energy Society

The Texas Solar Energy Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1976. The mission is to educate citizens on the value of solar energy for their homes and in their communities, empower them to make informed decisions and encourage them to connect with professional Texas solar businesses. 

Board Officers
Ross Pumfrey Chairman  (Austin)
Larry Howe - Vice Chair(Plano)
Bill Glass - Secretary (Austin)
Nathan Doxsey   Treasurer (Austin) 
Board Members at Large
D.J. Rosebaugh (Austin)
Richard Behlmann (Katy)
Paul Gonin  (Georgetown)
Ron Zagarri (Austin)      
Chapter Representatives to the Board
Bill Swann - Houston Renewable Energy Group (HREG)
Leslie Libby - Solar Austin 
Lissa Magel - North Texas Renewable Energy Group (NTREG)
Kate Rodriguez - Build San Antonio Green/Bring Solar Home
Executive Director  - Lucy Stolzenburg 
Solar Reflector Editor - Ron Zagarri 
Solar Reflector Copy Editor- Sarah Weber 
 
 
                           Thanks to Our Sponsors
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Visit www.txses.org for a list of all our business supporters. We thank all of our members, both business and individual, for supporting our mission to educate Texans on the value of solar and encourage its adoption through local Texas businesses.