May 14-15, 2024 • George R. Brown Convention Centerin Houston, TX
• TXSES Panel on SolarAPP+ | Tuesday, May 14, 2024; 11:30 AM • Expo Hall, Level 3 (Energy Transition Theater)
Join TXSES for a panel discussion on the cutting-edge permitting platform SolarAPP+ with Steven Ùgalde, TXSES marketing and outreach coordinator, and SolarAPP+ Outreach Manager for Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Stephen G. Pope.
Panel Description:
Inconsistencies in solar permitting among municipalities is a significant obstacle for solar development, resulting in delays and increased costs. SolarAPP+ offers a solution to these challenges, transforming the permitting process. In this session, panelists will explore what SolarAPP+ is, how it works, and the best way for installers to promote its use in Texas.
RE+ Texas will offer two days of exhibition, a robust education schedule, and networking opportunities. Attendees will hear from visionary leaders on what’s next for the Texas clean energy market and help to propel your business to the next level.
TXSES is pleased to announce that the Texas Solar for All Coalition, of which TXSES is a participant, 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.
TXSES Executive Director Patrice “Pete” Parsons shared that, “TXSES is delighted to be a part of the Texas Coalition Solar for All Grant and to take part in this historic advancement for solar energy in our state.”
The funding is part of $7 billion in federal grants announced by President Biden for residential solar projects this Earth Day. Coordinated by the EPA, 60 recipients (49 states, six Tribes, and five multistate awards) were chosen to provide solar to nearly 1 million households in low- and middle-income communities across the country, providing an estimated savings of $350 million annually on electric bills.
The Texas Coalition, led by Harris County, and including cities, counties, and community-based organizations, serves over 11 million low-income and disadvantaged communities in Texas. The Coalition’s goal is “to transform access to distributed solar in Texas, creating new community wealth and savings through energy cost reductions, equity opportunities, and access to good-paying clean energy jobs.” To do this, the program will “leverage federal funds, tax credits, and other sources to provide financial assistance and access to private capital to support residential multifamily and single family solar, battery storage, and energy efficiency deployments to improve community well-being and resilience to power system failures.”
In addition, the Coalition will “support workforce training to serve low-income and disadvantaged residents, support minority-and women-owned businesses, and collaborate with community-based organizations.” The programs are designed “to be extended within the member jurisdictions and expanded to other parts of Texas during and beyond the SFA grant period.”
Over the next five years of the project, the program is expected to deliver about 225 MW of distributed solar facilities, along with 85 MWh of battery storage, and provide an average of $17 million in annual household electricity bill savings, according to TXSES partner and Coalition member Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI). It will also reduce statewide emissions by over 310 thousand tons/year. These savings are estimated to translate into at least 20% savings on customer electricity bills in the targeted residential communities.
• DallasLocation: Hatcher Station Training Farm, 4500 Todd St., Dallas 75210
• AustinLocation: American YouthWorks, 1901 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin 78741
Join Green Careers Texas for lunch time “Meet & Greets” during upcoming solar installation trainings. These events connect businesses with skilled individuals ready to make their mark in the solar industry.
The Texas Solar Energy Society approves and endorses this proven training model.
Access to Trained Installers: Meet candidates who have completed the training and are ready to work. Students are motivated, reliable, and have a passion for working outdoors. These individuals value teamwork, timely communication, and a keen interest in contributing to the sustainable energy landscape.
Invest in Talent: The solar industry is booming, offering living wage work starting from $18 to $20/hour, often with benefits like health insurance and retirement savings plans.
Support Green Careers: By participating, you’ll be supporting Green Careers Texas’ mission to empower individuals with innovative employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
Questions? Please contact Tracy Wallace at info@greencareerstexas.org. Green Careers Texas aims to empower individuals through innovative employment opportunities.
• TXSES members and donors will receive a Zoom link to attend •
Join us for TXSES’s 2025 Annual Member Meeting! All TXSES members and donors are invited to attend.
As we embark on a new year, we are excited to invite all current TXSES members to come together and join us for our Annual Member Meeting. Executive Director Patrice “Pete” Parsons will lead the meeting, providing updates on TXSES’s activities from 2024 and outlining our ambitious goals for the upcoming year. Representatives from our impressive statewide Local Chapters will also provide updates on their activities.
We are also thrilled to announce a dynamic lineup of guest speakers who will delve into pressing solar issues and legislation both here in Texas and on a national scale. We look forward to seeing you there!
According to our by-laws, only TXSES members can attend our annual meeting.
D. Drew Bond Co-Founder, President & CEO C3 Solutions (Conservative Coalition for Climate Solutions)
“What Can We Expect in Solar Energy Policy with the New Administration?“
C3 Solutions is nonpartisan public policy educational organization with a mission to accelerate the acceptance of free-market solutions to the world’s greatest climate, energy and environmental challenges. Drew Bond has decades of experience in the conservative movement and private sector.
In addition to co-founding PowerField Energy Inc., which provides innovative and affordable solar energy systems for rural agriculture and emerging markets, Drew served as a Senior Advisor for President George W. Bush at the U.S. Department of Energy, Chief of Staff at The Heritage Foundation under Ed Feulner, Senior Fellow and Director for Energy Innovation at the American Council of Capital Formation, Chief of Staff to former Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode and as a Legislative Assistant to former U.S. Senator Don Nickles from Oklahoma. Bond also served as Vice President at Battelle for Energy & Environment Public Policy & Technology Commercialization.
Matthew Boms Executive Director Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA)
“Texas Legislative Landscape: An Overview of Renewables and Solar“
TAEBA’s Matthew Boms will give us an overview of how renewables and solar will fare in Texas’s 89th Legislature.
Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance is an alliance of businesses, including local and national advanced energy companies, that advocates for policies and programs that support the growth and innovation of the advanced energy industry in Texas. Matthew Boms also currently serves on the Texas Backup Power Package (TBPP) Advisory Committee, as well as the Aggregated Distributed Energy Resource (ADER) Task Force, where he contributes to the development of solutions and strategies for enhancing the resilience and reliability of the Texas electric grid.
Luke Metzger Executive Director Environment Texas
“Solar Energy Legislation: Key Bills You Need to Know this Session“
Luke Metzger will discuss the specific bills related to solar submitted to Texas’s 89th Legislature to date.
Environment Texas is a policy and action group with a mission to build a greener, healthier world. Metzger is one of the most energetic and dedicated defenders of environmental issues in the state, and a leading voice for clean air and water, parks and wildlife. He recently led the successful campaign to get the Texas Legislature and voters to invest $1 billion to buy land for new state parks.
