Reflecting back on 2024, it has been a busy year full of change, promise and accomplishment for TXSES. Our fearless leader, Patrice “Pete” Parsons, has her hands in so many amazing projects at once, that our heads spin and it’s hard to understand how she does it all. From staffing changes, to events and conferences, policy work with our Business Members, and projects, projects, projects, we have done it all this year.
Jane Pulaski, our fantastic Director of Communications since 2020, retired from TXSES in April. Before leaving, she brought Tamara Kowalski on to carry the torch. Marketing & Outreach Coordinator Steven Ugalde left as well as long-time TXSES Research Associate Ethan Miller, who finished graduate school at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT Austin last Spring and now works as a legislative director in the Texas House of Representatives. Data Research Analyst and Technical Advisor intern Mohammad Alkhatib now works as a tech analyst with our partner organization, TEPRI (Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute). In September, we were thrilled to bring on current intern & research analyst, Elle Nicholson, a sophomore at UT Austin majoring in philosophy, with plans to pursue a career in international environmental law.
The TXSES Board of Directors also brought on John Hall of HARC (Houston Advanced Research Center) for a special one-year appointment, and Alison Silverstein, who replaced outgoing member Karl Rabago at the end of this three-year term.
Patrice “Pete” Parsons also spoke at and/or moderated other conferences throughout the year, including the Texas Clean Energy Summit in San Antonio in September. Steven Ugalde and Tamara Kowalski represented TXSES at RE+ Texas in Houston in May.
In July, TXSES was honored with a “TXSES Day at the Race” on July 15th at the 28th Annual Solar Car Challenge at the Texas Motor Speedway, in Ft. Worth. Patrice “Pete” Parsons welcomed the crowd and waved the start flag to begin the day’s races.
We are proud to be a part of the Texas Solar for All Coalition, which was awarded nearly $250 million in grant funding on Earth Day to deliver residential solar to more than 46,000 low-income and disadvantaged communities and households across Texas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant will accelerate investment in clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, close the solar equity gap, and create green jobs.
In addition, we have been working with our TXSES Business Membersteering committees, legislators in the Texas Legislature, the Public Utilities Commissions of Texas (PUC), and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to tackle issues associated with:
Costly permitting delays for solar installations;
Protecting consumers from unethical solar sales companies;
Reducing regulatory requirements and fees for homeowners currently lumped in with large solar installations.
Highlights of Our Accomplishments in 2024
Commissioned the Value of Residential Solar in Texas study, released in July with the Texans for Local Energy Freedom Coalition, to determine the actual amount of money utilities should be reimbursing rooftop solar owners to offset the cost of solar they are feeding back into the grid.
Solar policy education and outreach to elected officials and the Public Utility Commission of Texas, including developing suggested language for new PUC rules on interconnection issues (see On the Horizon: Streamlined Regulation for Small-Scale Solar), as well as on fair market rates for solar customers based on our Value of Residential Solar in Texas study.
Prepared for the upcoming legislative session by creating several state-wide stakeholder steering committees to determine next steps for:
Protecting consumers from unethical solar salespeople (potentially by licensing through TDLR and possible new legislation) and from consumer loan obligations for incorrectly installed systems; and
Streamlining municipal solar permitting processes by proposing additional language to bills already submitted that would require municipal use of the SolarApp+ platform or similar.
Continued planning for Austin pilot project, “New Pathways for Equitable Rooftop Solar in Texas,” which will install 10 small (3 kilowatt) solar electric systems for income-qualified homeowners in Austin; in partnership with Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute, Frontier Energy; supported by Austin Energy through a mix of grant and rebate program funding.
Provided solar installation training for underserved high school students and low-income or hard-to-employ adults in Dallas, Houston and Austin, to prepare them for careers in clean energy; in partnership with Green Careers Texas and with funding from the Texas State Energy Conservation Office.
Working to bring a solar array to the Community First! Village in Austin, in order to provide free electricity to more than 370 formerly unhoused neighbors, in cooperation with Austin Energy.
Enthusiastic reception and onsite engagement at inaugural event underscores momentum and opportunity within the state
PORTLAND, ME and AUSTIN, TX: Intersolar & Energy Storage North America (IESNA), the premier tradeshow and conference for solar + storage professionals, last week staged its first regional event in Austin, Texas. The inaugural edition brought together more than 600 solar, storage, EV infrastructure, and manufacturing professionals, along with state legislators, regulators, and policy makers.
“We are thrilled with the energy at our first regional event in Texas,” said Wes Doane, Vice President, Intersolar & Energy Storage North America. “Our goal for IESNA Texas was to deliver Texas-specific insights and business opportunities to solar and storage professionals. It was gratifying to see connections being made that will help accelerate the clean energy industry in Texas and beyond. We look forward to continuing the momentum with our next edition of IESNA Texas on November 18-19, 2025 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.”
Thomas Gleeson (Chairman, Public Utility Commission of Texas) discussed meeting the state’s growth in energy demand and the need for grid resilience.
Doug Lewin (Stoic Energy), Beth Garza (R Street Institute), and Caitlin Smith (Jupiter Power) explored several topics, including the grid impact of data center growth, how energy storage helped tackle peak summer demand, and more.
Well-attended conference sessions that focused on the value of distributed energy resources (including technology advancements and cost declines)—as well as the challenges of interconnection and the need for policy reform and market signal consistency.
41 Exhibiting companies (spanning inverters, battery management systems, solar cells and modules, grid services, racking systems, and more), including APsystems, EndurEnergy Systems, EnergyScape Renewables, Novasys Greenergy, TorcSill Foundations, Solarpanelrecycling.com, and Yotta Energy—as well as prominent Texas-based associations Texas Solar Energy Society and Texas Solar Power Association.
A lively Launch Party, relaxing Brain Break Lounge sponsored by Smart Energy Decisions, dynamic “Ask the Experts” lunch, and much more.
Take a comprehensive look at policies, technologies, and market trends at the national and state levels by registering for IESNA’s flagship event—to be held February 25-27, 2025 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.
About Intersolar & Energy Storage North America Intersolar & Energy Storage North America is the premier US-based conference and trade show focused on solar, energy storage, EV charging infrastructure, and manufacturing. Dedicated to accelerating the energy transition, IESNA events deliver insightful education, invaluable networking, and an immersive exhibit hall experience. The flagship event takes place February 25-27, 2025, in San Diego, California; the next regional event takes place November 18-19, 2025, in Grapevine, Texas. To learn more, visit Intersolar.us.
About Diversified Communications Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA, with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third-generation, family-owned business. Learn more: Divcom.com.
The Solar Car Challenge is the top project-based STEM Initiative helping motivate students in Science, Engineering, and Alternative Energy. We teach high school students how to plan, design, engineer, build, race, and evaluate roadworthy solar cars. Their Mission: We are building the young Engineers and Innovators of the Future.
Science & Technology Magazine and NBCUniversal named the Solar Car Challenge as one of the top Science & Engineering programs in the country. The Challenge has 261 high school solar car projects in various stages of development in anticipation of an upcoming solar racing event. Teams are located in 39 states, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Spain, and Singapore.
High School teams begin preparation for their year-long project during education workshops scheduled in September 2023. Additional workshops, on-site visits, mentor opportunities, and summer camps help propel the projects to success. After qualifying for the 2024 Event, teams get the opportunity to drive their solar cars at the world famous Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy.
SEIA employees are passionate, forward-thinking leaders that start every day knowing that their work makes a difference. SEIA values diversity and fosters an inclusive, lively company culture that celebrates team success. The association has earned numerous awards for its work and company culture and was named by the Washington Post as a 2023 Top Workplace and a Best Nonprofit to Work For by the Nonprofit Times.
We regularly highlight one of our esteemed Platinum Business Members with an exclusive interview in the TXSES newsletter. This month, TXSES Communications Director Tamara Kowalski reached out to Longhorn SolarCEO Louis Petrik, who is also on the TXSES Board of Directors, to learn about the origins of the company, their mission & outlook, and their impact on the solar industry.
Origins and Leadership
Longhorn Services was the largest holiday decoration company in Central Texas in 2009. We had the employees and equipment to work on rooftops, so I decided to enroll in ACC (Austin Community College) for my training and to get my NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certification. We then added solar to our service offerings. In 2010, we incorporated and started Longhorn Solar.
Mission and Vision
To see solar on every rooftop, and to be the greatest solar installation company in Texas. We will do this by providing custom high-quality solar & energy storage solutions at competitive prices.
Approach to Projects
We approach each project with a custom approach. Our objective with every project is to over-deliver on service and communication. We start with setting realistic expectations and then try and over-communicate as the project moves through the many phases of approval to install and then installation. Customers always have their Longhorn account managers to communicate with if they have any questions throughout the process.
Career Impact
I started in this industry with an idea to add to my service offerings, but since then I have become an “accidental environmentalist.” I have to embrace being a “tree hugger.” I feel like Longhorn is always trying to learn. Being involved with the many organizations in the industry like TXSES, SEIA, as well as Environment Texas, have really helped our company.
Key Accomplishments
I think the biggest accomplishment is just being able to navigate the solar coaster. This industry has gone through so many transformations and has had so many challenges that many companies have not been able to survive. At 15 years old, we are one of the oldest Texas-based solar companies. It is estimated that over 50% of the current solar systems are orphaned systems because the original company went out of business.
Industry Surprises and Dynamics
You have to learn quickly and get as much training as possible. Also, be a good company. We have so many companies coming to Texas that are not doing a good job of setting the right expectations for the customer. We need more good companies that do not misrepresent what solar will accomplish. There are so many houses in Texas that we do not need to beat each other up to compete.
Facing Challenges
Hiring. For the longest time it was almost impossible to find good quality people. There was such a shortage that many of the people looking for jobs were requesting crazy high salaries.
Community Outreach and Contributions
I am just trying to give back to the industry by participating on the board of TXSES.
Future Outlook
We will be continuing to expand outside of the Central Texas market. The solar industry is still contracting in Texas so this will make our expansion plans even more challenging.
Final Thoughts
I would just like to say it again. This industry in Texas has a black eye due to all of the companies in the past who have misrepresented solar in the sales process. Be honest with your customers. Do the job that you say that you are going to do with no surprises. If we can all do this then the market will grow again and there will be more business that any company can handle. Good luck and “May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor.”
Interested in becoming a TXSES Platinum Business Member? Contact Patrice “Pete” Parsons at pparsons@txses.org for details about membership perks, requirements, and how your company can become involved in TXSES’s vibrant community. Whether you’re seeking exclusive benefits or opportunities for collaboration, she can guide you through the process and address any inquiries you may have.
