June 2020
This year, the same cutting-edge research, trends and analysis which continue to affect the solar energy landscape in the U.S. you've come to expect from an ASES conference goes online. No travel necessary! Register
CHAPTER HAPPENINGS

Build San Antonio Green | Recently, Executive Director Anita Ledbetter shared her insights with Zpryme on how COVID-19 has affected cities’ commitments to building with more ecologically-minded practices. Listen to the conversation.

North Texas Renewable Energy Group | Virtual Monthly Meeting
June 13, 10:00 am - Noon. Presentation by Timothy Siegler, Ph.D on the breakthroughs in solar panel manufacturing. Access information will be e-mailed to everyone who is registered with its Conversation Group.

Solar Austin | June Happy Hour
June 16, 4:30-6:00 pm CST online via zoom
Distinguished scholar, writer and environmental activist, Bill McKibben will share his experiences fighting the most pressing environmental issues of our times.  Register

Houston Renewable Energy Group | Solar Energy System Workshop
June 26, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Ideal for those with a technical background or DIYer in need of guidance or troubleshooting with their solar installation project. Hands-on experience will be provided with the installation of a ground-mount system.

Chair's Corner

by Katherine Searcy, Chair TXSES Board of Directors

TXSES 2020: A New Vision

From the outset, I knew that 2020 would be a year of great change for TXSES. After more than a decade of service, our previous Executive Director, Lucy Stolzenburg, retired, and the organization welcomed Patrice “Pete” Parsons to the helm. In February, the Board of Directors held a strategic planning retreat to steer the organization through the next three years.

The Board has increasingly emphasized expanding our reach to a wider, more diverse Texas audience, and we are very excited to share our updated mission:

Equitable access to solar energy for every Texan.

In light of our current cultural strife, now more than ever, it’s important to support our communities by serving all of our neighbors; by providing relevant information through inclusive, welcoming environments; and by listening.




By Ron Zagari, NTREG Board Member
Making cost predictions over any time frame is a dicey game, but using the past decade as a handy portent ($2 to 18 cents), in several years we could be celebrating the spot price of solar modules falling to a nickel per watt.

by Hanna Mitchell, Program Director for Solar United Neighbors of Texas
While demand for solar is growing across Texas – and some Texas cities have recently doubled down on their investments, going solar may still feel out of reach for millions of Texans. For those who rent, move frequently, or own a home that is completely shaded or without contiguous roof space, community solar may be a worthwhile option to reap the benefits of local solar electricity.

by Joshua D. Rhodes, Ph.D., Research Associate, Webber Energy Group University of Texas/Austin
A recent survey by the Global Solar Council of hundreds of solar companies in dozens of countries found that more than 70% of solar companies have experienced slowdowns and about 80% expect more slowdowns in the next four months. Here at home, this is a particularly challenging time for solar deployments as we are in the middle of a phase out of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) in 2021.

Resources
Texas' Solar Stars Cities in Report
In this new report, the cities with the most solar PV installed per resident are the “Solar Stars” – cities with 50 or more watts of solar PV capacity installed per capita. In 2013, only eight of the cities surveyed for this new report had enough solar PV per capita to be ranked as “Solar Stars.” Now 26 cities have earned the title, including Austin and San Antonio. Thanks to our friends at Environment Texas Research and Policy Center and Frontier Group for this illuminating piece of work.
Despite recent re-openings of businesses in Austin, we and Austin Energy are moving ahead with the first-ever virtual Cool House Tour on September 27 . This year's Tour, the 24th annual, will feature some of Austin's greenest and most energy efficient dwellings ever. Details are still being finalized. Profound thanks to Austin Energy’s Green Building Program for sponsoring the Tour for the past 24 years.  Re-live last year’s Tour  here .
Plano Solar Advocates  explain the abstruse nuisance clause in Texas Property Code Sec. 202.010(e) that can interfere with homeowners who want to install solar. Dan Lepinski, an adviser to  North Texas Renewable Energy Group , provides a letter if an HOA is citing the nuisance clause to prevent homeowners from installing solar. 
The American Solar Energy Society  has developed a Solar Energy Workbook for everyone ages 8-108 to learn about solar and other renewables. Great for the classroom, in person or online. Download the workbook.
We thank our generous business members who support our mission to lay the foundation for a 100% clean energy future for Texas, one community at a time.
These organizations generously support TXSES' work to raise awareness of the value and benefits of solar energy that will support ambitious clean energy, enhance grid resilience and reliability and build strong equitable solar communities.
For nearly three decades, Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) has cultivated innovation in green building to raise standards for energy efficiency, water quality and conservation, indoor environmental quality, site development and material resources.

Since 1992, EarthShare of Texas has supported more than 40 Texas environmental and conservation non-profits like TXSES.
Home more these days? Our friends at Reliant Energy share some valuable tips on ways to save energy while you’re home. Take a peek. 
About TXSES
For more than four decades, TXSES has been the pre-eminent statewide organization
developing free thought-leading, independent, fact-based information and quality educational materials that inspire innovation, share best practices, and inform decision-makers on the critical importance of sound, favorable solar policies that will grow the industry, protect clean air, build healthy, resilient communities, support local, well-paying jobs and lay the foundation for energy independence. www.txses.org