by Howard 'Scot' Arey, Chair TXSES Board of Directors
There is a train wreck coming for behind-the-meter distributed solar and it’s our responsibility to fix it. Even after the positive outcome from the recent solar policy debate with the Pedernales Electric Cooperative, we are entering yet another phase of tough policy whack-a-mole. This round will be harder to resolve for the benefit of solar owners because it’s against the status quo.
|
|
By Jack Maedgen, former TXSES intern
Access to clean and affordable energy is an essential part of modern life. Cooking, cleaning, doing homework at night, running the air conditioning in the hot Texas summers, and much more all necessitate reliable energy access. Yet, for many families, these essentials transform into luxuries because they experience what experts refer to as energy poverty or the lack of access to energy services due to high prices or insufficient supply.
|
|
Since 2010, The PowerStore in Alvarado, Texas and recently in Mooresville, North Carolina, has supplied solar power and storage solutions to customers in the U.S., Central America and the Caribbean Islands. A Tier 1 authorized distributor for many of the world’s leading solar panel manufacturers, The PowerStore is also a TXSES Platinum Business Member. We caught up with Jim White, founder and CEO, to learn more about The PowerStore. These up-close and personal industry conversations are one of the benefits of a TXSES Platinum Business membership.
|
|
By Karl Rábago, Rábago Energy LLC
For nearly two years now, a coalition of clean energy developers, advocates, and experts from across the U.S. has been working to develop a better understanding of how to build the least-cost, most reliable grid possible. The outcome of this work by the Local Solar for All (“LS4A”) coalition (localsolarforall.org) documents the exciting and money-saving potential that better models and analysis reveals is available from aggressive growth in the distributed solar and storage markets.
|
|
By Dori Wolfe, Houston Area SUN Co-op Coordinator
Solar United Neighbors (SUN), a network of solar advocates, supporters, and owners stand for energy freedom and democracy. SUN knows that solar creates good local jobs, makes the electric grid resilient, and contributes to cleaner air and water for everyone. The Texas program of the national SUN was launched in December 2018. With abundant sunshine, Texas is not just an energy leader but also a great state for solar — which is why we help residents, businesses, and municipalities in the Lone Star State go solar and fight for their energy rights.
|
|
Keep up with the latest news about TXSES' solar impact in Texas
|
|
Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio
|
|
In the upcoming months, more students and companies will have access to Solar Austin's successful Pathways to Clean Energy Careers Program. In partnership with local groups like The Children’s Haven Association and Del Valle ISD, Solar Austin is expanding these programs to train, equip and spread awareness of solar to underserved communities. "Through technical courses and solar camps, we hope to continue establishing pathways for more students and communities to invest in renewable energy," says Executive Director Tatianna Cannon. Contact Tatianna at [email protected] if your company is interested in participating in Solar Austin's internship placement programs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The North Texas Renewable Energy Group (NTREG), in partnership with TXSES, is tackling the industry's diversity challenge head-on by launching the NTREG/TXSES Diversity Internship Program (NTXDIP) to place women, under-resourced and underrepresented individuals and students of color at solar and other clean energy companies in North Texas. Multiple ten-week, part-time, paid internships are available for Fall 2021 starting in October. Interested students must apply by 5pm CDT 9/30/21.
|
|
|
Thinking about an EV? Join Eco El Paso for its National Drive Electric Week 2021 Sept 25-Oct 3, 2021! This nationwide celebration is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. See you there! Register!
|
|
|
|
|
|
With new partnerships with the Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation for K-12 education and the Society of Petroleum Engineers for a career fair on October 12th, HREG is poised for a strong close to 2021! Keeping in close alignment with the Houston Climate Action Plan's goals, HREG is also preparing to pilot an internship program for underrepresented individuals in the clean energy industry in Spring 2022. For educational opportunities, please also join us for our speaker series on the third Tuesday of every month!
|
|
|
Bring Solar Home is a Build San Antonio Green program designed to help San Antonians discover if solar generation is right for them, and if so, which program is the best fit. Working with CPS Energy, solar installers, and financial institutions, Bring Solar Home simplifies the process of “going solar” by bridging the gap between consumers and industry professionals.
|
|
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!!
☀️TXSES Annual Meeting☀️
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Details soon!
|
|
With more than 29 million Texans in 254 counties, we need your help to make sure ALL Texans know about solar's many benefits. Find out how you can be part of our regional chapters family today!
|
|
|
The annual American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour, the largest grassroots solar, renewable energy and sustainable living event in the U.S. on October 2-3, will be hybrid with 563 solar sites, including eight Texas sites, and 85 local tours in 42 states and D.C. Find a local tour in your community.
|
|
As a lifetime member of TXSES, you’re part of a dedicated group of like-minded solar advocates who has made a commitment to improving Texas’s solar outlook for future generations. Your membership
offers exclusive opportunities to take part in wide-ranging TXSES-sponsored programs and special events.
|
|
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 conservation and environmental non-profits like TXSES. We couldn't do what we do without their support.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
