by Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons, TXSES Executive Director
According to a recent Forbes article, nearly 90% Of Americans couldn’t be more ecstatic about their rooftop solar system. In fact, some 83% of those homeowners are raving to friends and family about how happy they are. They installed them for a variety of reasons: energy independence (with batteries); cost savings; environmental concerns. You might even know some of these people. You might even be one of them.
But for those who don’t or who might be in the market for rooftop solar, it’s caveat emptor (buyer beware). The onus is on YOU, the consumer, to do due diligence before you buy. The decreasing costs of solar panels have made them increasingly affordable.
And because the decreasing cost of solar panels is making them more affordable, solar scams are becoming more prevalent nationally and here at home. Currently, the Texas distributed solar industry is experiencing consumer fraud. There have been many reports of uninformed consumers conned into buying systems they can’t afford, promised pie-in-the-sky results: no electric bills! Free electricity! The adage if it’s too good to be true comes to mind, pay attention. It probably is.
As TXSES is the state’s only non-profit that promotes distributed solar, we require all TXSES business members to sign a code of conduct and ethical requirements. We believe this practice creates an environment with values that reflect honest, ethical business principles and rules of behavior that are consistent with TXSES organizationally, contributing to the welfare of all our stakeholders, and respecting the rights of all constituents affected by our work.
We’re very much aware of nefarious practices by some solar salespeople. You can trust TXSES business members to be professional and install all equipment safely and in compliance with all applicable rules, laws and regulations. We’ve got resources for consumers who are interested in going solar on the TXSES website. And check out the the SEIA Instagram post below for more timely information about consumer confidence when shopping for solar.
I’ve also been meeting with stakeholders and other statewide nonprofits to address this situation and we’re committed to developing solutions that will guarantee consumer confidence in solar rooftop installations.
If you’re interested in becoming a TXSES business member, contact Steven Ùgalde at sugalde@txses.org
On a personal note, I want to bid a heartfelt adieu to a great friend and colleague, Jane Pulaski, who has decided to retire…again. She’s been TXSES’ Director of Communications since I became Executive Director of TXSES in 2020. In that time, she’s worked tirelessly to help me build upon Lucy Stolzenberg’s legacy by writing grants, updating the website, developing newsletters and anything else I needed help with. In the beginning, it was just the two of us. When I say I could not have done my job without her, I mean it. We woke up each day and proceeded to set our hair on fire with all the work we wanted to accomplish. I can speak for the rest of the team when I say we’ll miss her. Thanks for everything, JP.
As a benefit of being a TXSES Platinum Business Member, we highlight the member’s company in our newsletter. For the March newsletter, we sat down with Kevin Chavez, operations officer/manager of Holt Renewables, an engineering, procurement and construction firm for commercial solar projects nationwide. Here’s our conversation.
Steven Ugalde: Hi Kevin. Thanks for carving out time to talk about Holt Renewables. Tell us about Holt Renewables came to be; how long has it been around?
Kevin Chavez: Absolutely. Our journey began over 12 years ago when Holt Renewables emerged through an acquisition. Before that, we operated under the name PCI Solar, maintaining the same team, business methodology, and services. About four years ago, Holt Caterpillar, a previous customer, recognized the potential to diversify its offerings and ultimately acquired us. Peter and Corinna Holt, the brains behind Holt Caterpillar, had a forward-thinking approach towards energy, especially electrification and renewables. Their vision aligned perfectly with ours, leading to the acquisition.
Steven Ugalde: And timely. Holt is Houston-based?
Kevin Chavez: Actually, we’re located in Austin. While Holt Renewables is based in Austin, Holt Caterpillar’s headquarters are in San Antonio, but we operate around 30 different locations. There are about 3,500 of us Holt Renewables employees. Within the renewables group, there are 28 departments including construction, engineering, procurement, estimating, sales and development, back-office operations, and safety.
Steven Ugalde: Could you share a standout moment or project that you found particularly fulfilling?
Kevin Chavez: While every project has its unique qualities, what truly stands out for us is the ability to effectively serve our customers nationwide. We specialize in the Middle Market C segment, typically ranging from 500 kW to 30 megawatts. Our portfolio includes diverse applications such as carports, roof mounts, ground mounts and energy storage. Deploying energy storage, especially in the evolving landscape of renewable energy, has been particularly rewarding for us.
Steven Ugalde: What drives Holt Renewables’ approach to future projects?
Kevin Chavez: Our primary focus is alignment with our customers’ needs and goals. Whether it’s sustainability, economics or marketing, we strive to tailor each project accordingly. We provide comprehensive consultation and feasibility studies to ensure that every aspect aligns with our clients’ objectives.
Steven Ugalde: How do you evaluate the success of a project?
Kevin Chavez: Safety is paramount for us, ensuring no incidents occur during project execution. Additionally, success is measured by tangible outcomes and client satisfaction. We conduct thorough surveys post-project completion, and our track record speaks for itself—no negative feedback so far.
Steven Ugalde: What inspired you to pursue a career in solar and renewable energy?
Kevin Chavez: My background in finance led me to understand the potential of renewable energy investments. However, I yearned for a more hands-on role where I could witness more results. Joining PCI Solar as part of the development team allowed me to see projects come to life from concept to construction. The subsequent acquisition by Holt Renewables further solidified my commitment to this industry.
Steven Ugalde: Lastly, what has surprised you the most in your experience within this industry?
Kevin Chavez: One of the most surprising aspects has been the continued momentum and innovation within the industry, despite regulatory challenges. There’s a growing recognition of the need for renewable energy solutions, and we’re witnessing increased investment and research to address this demand. While there are hurdles to overcome, I’m optimistic about the industry’s trajectory.
Steven Ugalde: Thank you for sharing your insights, Kevin. And thanks for being a TXSES Platinum Business Member.
Kevin Chavez: My pleasure. Thank you for having me.
