Austin Energy has launched a new solar program that is the first of it’s kind in the industry. The Solar Standard Offer Program will let commercial customers lease out their rooftops and/or parking lots for solar installations—at no cost to themselves—and to be compensated for the solar power generated.
The program will allow property owners who might not otherwise have the finances, credit or possibly just not the interest to invest in solar themselves, to receive the benefits of solar. Participating solar contractors will finance, install and maintain the solar systems, and Austin Energy will purchase the energy produced at a set rate. System capacity must be between 50 kW and 10 megawatts.
The energy produced supports Austin Energy’s Community Solar Program, which offers renewable energy to residential customers, including low-income customers who participate in the Customer Assistance Program (CAP). The program contributes to the AE’s climate, affordability, and energy sustainability goals.
Program Participants
System Host: An existing Austin Energy commercial customer willing to host a community solar project on their property.
System Owner: Either the system host or a third party that leases space from the system host to install and operate a solar system for the Community Solar program.
Participating Solar Contractor: The solar installation company applying for permits and installs the solar system.
Applications opened on January 14th. See more details and apply:
Phase Two: Residential & Small Commercial Installations
The program is already preparing to expand! On Wednesday, January 29, Austin Energy hosted the first in a series of stakeholder meetings to develop this expansion to include small commercial and residential installations.
You can watch a recording of the meetingon YouTube.
At least two more stakeholder meetings will be held regarding this topic:
TXSES’s new report analyzes the economic impact of grid service interruptions caused by extreme weather events in Texas.
Executive Summary
The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) is dedicated to enhancing Texas’s energy infrastructure. This report presents an analysis of the economic impact of grid service interruptions across Texas, a project led by our research department. In 2022, these interruptions cost the Texas economy an estimated $6.97 billion. This analysis is based on data from 68 Transmission and Distribution Utilities (TDUs), utilizing refined methodologies and comprehensive data sources. The findings aim to provide actionable insights and drive necessary grid reforms.
Introduction
A reliable energy grid is vital for Texas, given its significant economic role and the essential services reliant on continuous electricity. Historically, grid interruptions have posed severe challenges, disrupting daily activities and economic operations. The objective of this report is to estimate the economic impact of grid interruptions in Texas for the year 2022. By understanding these impacts, TXSES aims to advocate for policy reforms and infrastructure improvements to enhance grid reliability.
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.
by Steven Ùgalde, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
Recently, I had the privilege of attending a solar installation training program, where prospective students gathered to learn how to properly install solar panels. Organized by Green Careers Texas, this two-day event aimed to empower participants with the skills they need to kickstart their journey in the solar industry.
The training took place at American YouthWorks in Austin on March 22nd and 23rd, and offered participants a hands-on learning experience. This opportunity was made possible by the generous donation of solar panels from TXSES Business Members, Lighthouse Solar. Among those present were Tracy Wallace, executive director of Green Careers Texas, and TXSES’s Patrice “Pete” Parsons, along with 12 students.
Green Careers Texas is a guiding light, providing numerous solar PV installation trainings that serve as a pathway to stable income in the solar sector. Their mission is clear: to tackle poverty and increase solar energy head-on by providing green career training and education. They strive to bridge the gap between employers and diverse qualified individuals in the field of solar PV installation, ensuring opportunities for all.
As I spoke with participants and trainers, it became evident that access to jobs in the solar industry is not only crucial for economic gain, but also about equality and protecting our planet through environmental justice and advocacy of underrepresented groups within the solar field. The National Solar Jobs Census revealed the struggles solar companies face in hiring skilled workers, especially from underrepresented groups, such as people of color and women. However, initiatives like Green Careers Texas are actively working to address this issue by equipping students with the skills they need and the tools needed to thrive in the clean energy industry.
One attendee, Aaron who is from west Texas, shared his motivation for joining the program: “I’m eager to learn about solar energy and contribute to a healthy change, especially in depleting natural resources.”
Similarly, Annie, another participant, emphasized the importance of cleaner and sustainable energy, stating, “I want to build a better platform and make a positive impact on the environment.”
Katelyn, who is participating through the YouthWorks program with Green Careers Texas, said she dreams of a future where she can install her own solar panels on her van and lead a life on the road.
As for Angel, another attendee, he stated, “I’m participating in the YouthWorks program and am eager to explore new opportunities and industries, particularly renewable energy. My parents keep me motivated, and I’m interested in keeping up-to-date and informed. This is my first time taking the class, and I appreciate the hands-on learning and the enthusiasm from the instructors.”
Nacho Ignacio Martinez, one of the training’s instructors, shared his motivation in wanting to teach these students: “I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to instruct at the Solar Installation training program hosted by Green Careers Texas. Witnessing participants embrace new skills and knowledge, and the prospect of passing that on, is truly gratifying. Having completed the training myself, I now look forward to teaching others about solar and embarking on personal projects, including one for myself. A big shoutout to Tracy and Mark (McCollum), Ed (Wise), and Dylan (Brown), the lead trainers, for their invaluable support throughout.”
Green Careers Texas is hoping to change lives and communities for the better by offering opportunities in sustainability-focused jobs, particularly for those who’ve been overlooked in the past. These programs aren’t just empowering individuals, but also driving positive change in our local communities.
Tracy Wallace of Green Careers Texas explained, “We are thrilled to be working with Austin YouthWorks. Trainees who have experience with power tools and construction already are ideal to work with. The bonus is they each have a heart for service.”
As the solar industry continues to evolve, the need for a skilled and diverse workforce becomes increasingly important. By supporting organizations like TXSES and Green Careers Texas, we can all play a role in shaping a brighter, more sustainable future.
If you would like to hire one of these students, please reach out to Tracy Wallace at tracy@greencareerstexas.org.
Learn more about Green Careers Texas and how you can get involved at: greencareerstexas.org.
In our ongoing commitment to strengthen Texas’s energy infrastructure, the Texas Solar Energy Society is proud to update our members on a crucial initiative. Spearheaded by our research team, we have embarked on a project to estimate the economic impact of grid service interruptions across the state due to the extreme weather events our state has been experiencing.
In our initial estimate, we encountered the problem of drawing on data from multiple sources, introducing the challenge of instrumentation bias if each source calculated the reliability indexes different. However, we have refined our methods and adjusted our focus to EIA-only, in order to take advantage of the more comprehensive data available. This change allows us to provide a more accurate and actionable analysis as we advocate for necessary grid reforms.
A significant hurdle was choosing the right data sources to accurately capture the frequency and duration of power outages. The PUCT’s Annual Service Quality Reports provided some insights but were limited to private TDUs and lacked comprehensive customer data. Thus, we opted for the broader and more detailed EIA 861 dataset, which aligns with the standards set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for 2022. This decision has enhanced the reliability of our preliminary estimates.
To date, we have completed estimates for 42 out of the 71 utilities, suggesting a potential cost of $2.065 billion in 2022 alone. We continue to seek IEEE-compliant data from other utilities and will update our findings accordingly.
The insights garnered from our detailed analysis not only quantify the financial impacts of grid interruptions but also illuminate the path forward for enhancing grid reliability. The Texas Solar Energy Society is committed to using this crucial data to advocate for comprehensive grid maintenance strategies that are not only responsive but also proactive. By presenting our findings to decision-makers, we aim to underline the economic necessity of investing in our grid infrastructure. This initiative will support the development of well-informed policies and funding allocations, ensuring that future grid interruptions are fewer and less severe. Our goal is to equip Texas with a robust and resilient energy system that can withstand the challenges of tomorrow, safeguarding our economy and enhancing the quality of life for all Texans.
As we proceed, your insights and inquiries are invaluable. For further information or to engage in this discussion, please contact Ethan Miller at ethan@txses.org, or Mohammad Alkhatib at mohammed@txses.org. Together, we can pave the way for more resilient energy solutions in Texas.
Each month we highlight one of our esteemed Business Members with an interview in our newsletter. This month, we feature Platinum Business Member, Axis Solar. TXSESMarketing & Outreach Coordinator Steven Ùgalde reached out to Axis Solar CEO Graeme Walker for a chat about their business, vision, accomplishments, projects and more.
Thank you for sharing a bit about Axis Solar with us today, Graeme. Please start by telling us about yourself and your background in the solar industry.
My background is actually in finance. I started training as a CPA with Arthur Andersen, then Deloitte in the UK. After a few years working in audit, I moved to the Corporate Finance department helping support transactions in the upstream Oil and Gas Sector in Scotland. After a brief stint in renewable energy banking which was abruptly ended by the 2008 financial crisis, I joined one of my offshore wind farm clients as head of finance to help them raise debt end equity to support their upcoming developments. After that business was successfully sold, the leadership team moved to Texas in 2009 to form an offshore wind company to explore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Realizing that the economic and political headwinds were strongly against us at the time, we opted to mothball that company in 2012. I took up a position as CFO with a small residential solar installer, however after 9 months, decided to form my first solar company. In 2014, I started Alba Energy as a commercial solar company, serving primarily the multifamily industry. In late 2015, we expanded into residential solar and that became our primary focus.
How did AXIS get its start and how did you come into the position?
Axis was formed in late 2018 by myself and Jason Thomas who previously served as master electrician at Alba. We had grown disenchanted with the residential sales side of the industry, and wanted to concentrate on our core strengths of operations and construction. Initially, we focused on operating as an EPC for large residential sales companies such as Sunrun. However, seeing early the impending crunch that high interest rates have caused to the residential sector, we began to pivot heavily towards commercial solar in mid 2022. Over the last 2 years we have built on our previous commercial experience and molded the company into an extremely efficient EPC of commercial projects. We act as an EPC for certain large developer groups, but we also directly source our own projects alongside that effort.
What is the vison and mission of AXIS?
Our mission is to be the go-to expert for C&I (commercial and industrial) solar in each geographic market in which we operate. We look to achieve this through only hiring the best team members and being laser focused on project execution for our customers and stakeholders.
What is AXIS’ approach to projects, whether residential or commercial?
Since 2022, we have not been involved in the residential sector. The larger scale C&I solar sector is a highly specialized industry. There are always unique engineering and construction challenges on every project. Our success comes down to detailed upfront planning and engineering to ensure a smooth project, but also in our effective communication with customers and stakeholders. One of the most important traits we look for in new hires is their ability to communicate and present themselves well in front of customers.
What has been the biggest impact on your career in this industry?
Over the last 10 years in solar, it’s been a steep learning curve for myself on two fronts. Firstly, learning the ropes of running a company and the responsibilities that that brings. Secondly, dealing with the ever evolving nature of the solar industry as it matures.
What would you consider are AXIS’ biggest company accomplishments?
We just commissioned the largest behind-the-meter private solar system in Austin Energy in late 2023 — 3.4MW of rooftop and carports. A great effort by the team that has set the platform for our continued growth in the sector.
What surprises can be expected when first entering the solar industry?
The constantly changing industry dynamics. The change that has happened in the last decade has been dramatic, but there are still challenges to the industry as it matures and potentially starts to threaten entrenched legacy interests in Investor Owned Utilities or fossil fuel sectors.
What is the biggest hurdle AXIS has faced?
Navigating (& surviving) through the Covid years. There was a short period when work really dried up, and survival looked tricky. But fortunately, there was then a very strong rebound as folks capitalized on low interest rates to go solar.
What does the future look like for AXIS?
We are very positive about the future. We already have a very strong pipeline of deals through the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. Our focus continues to be on excellent execution of our projects as well as measured growth. There are very few companies with our experience and focus on the large scale C&I space, so we feel we are in a good position to continue to capitalize on the growth in that sector spurred by the IRA 2022.
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Graeme, and for being a valued TXSES Platinum Business Member!
