CPS Energy Scales Up Community Solar: A Big Step Forward for San Antonio
by N. Jason Pittman, PE, President of Big Sun Solar CPS Energy just announced a major expansion of its community solar program, and it is worth taking a moment to unpack what this means for customers across the territory. The new program is sized at 50 MWac (alternating current) and is projected to serve around […]
Powering the World Cup: From Stadiums to Carports
by Jeremy Lian, TXSES Intern The 2026 World Cup sparked an incredible wave of excitement across the United States, filling local restaurants, streets, parks, and public spaces with fans from across the globe coming together to experience the world’s game. For Texas, hosting World Cup matches in Dallas and Houston was more than a sports […]
How EVs Support Renewables Deployment, Improve Grid Stability, Lower Electricity Costs
by Mario Bravo, Executive DirectorTX EV Education Project When most people think about electric vehicles (EVs), they think about cleaner transportation and lower fuel costs. But EVs may soon play another important role in Texas: helping keep the electric grid reliable, reducing electricity costs, and supporting more renewable energy. At first glance, that might sound […]
Distributed Solar Around the World: What Texas Can Learn from Australia and Germany
by Jeremy Lian, TXSES Intern Globally, solar is becoming more common to the average resident through rooftop panels, home batteries, and even small plug-in solar systems. For households, distributed solar is not just about protecting the environment — it’s about lowering electricity costs, gaining more control over energy use, and becoming less dependent on a […]
Better Protections, Better Solar: What Texans Need to Know About New TDLR Rules
by Patrice “Pete” Parsons, TXSES Executive Director Over the past few years, TXSES has received a growing number of calls from consumers who were misled by inaccurate information from solar salespeople or harmed by poor installation practices. In some cases, systems were installed that produced little to no energy—what I’ve come to call “solar decorations.” […]
Energy Security in a Volatile World: Why Texas Is Different
by Drew A. Kassel, PhD, Webber Energy Group, UT Austin When the Strait of Hormuz closed in February 2026, nearly a quarter of global oil supply and roughly one-fifth of liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows were suddenly at risk. Within weeks, Brent crude prices surged past $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, […]
Power When It Matters Most: Texas’ Backup Power Package Program
by Alison Silverstein, TXSES Board Member When the Texas Legislature created the $10 billion Texas Energy Fund in 2023 to fund new generation after Winter Storm Uri, they set aside $1.8 billion of that Fund to help qualifying entities acquire and install Texas Backup Power Packages (TBPPs) at critical facilities that support community health, safety […]
Renewable Development in the “Golden Age” of AI
by Elle Nicholson, TXSES Researcher The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence over the past few years has often been described as the “golden age” of AI. Companies have been racing to innovate, using AI to cut costs and improve efficiency. This surge in AI usage, along with an ever-growing interest in cryptocurrencies, has accelerated construction […]
Industry Spotlight: Enphase Energy
In each edition of The Solar Report, we feature one of our highly regarded Platinum Business Members with an exclusive interview. This edition, TXSES Communications Director Tamara Kowalski reached out to new Platinum Business Members Enphase Energy and Ethan Moskowitz, Regional Sales Manager–South Central US to learn about the company’s history, mission, accomplishments, and impacts on customers. What inspired you to […]
Closing the Loop: The Rise of Solar Panel Recycling
by Elle Nicholson, TXSES A common concern about solar energy is that the technology is less environmentally friendly than it seems once panels reach the end of their life cycle. With an average lifespan of about 30 years, solar panels are projected to generate up to 80 million tons of waste by 2050—a challenge for landfills […]