Latest Articles and News

by Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons, TXSES Executive Director You’ve probably seen the headlines this past week from ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), including: “ERCOT warns…

by Steven Ùgalde, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator Recently, I had the privilege of attending a solar installation training program, where prospective students gathered to learn…

By Ethan Miller and Mohammed Alkhabtib In our ongoing commitment to strengthen Texas’s energy infrastructure, the Texas Solar Energy Society is proud to update our…

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…

TXSES Executive Director Patrice “Pete” Parsons co-wrote an article in Solar Today magazine with Roger Horowitz and Rich Strömberg on what to watch out for…

TXSES Executive Director Patrice “Pete” Parsons was interviewed on Austin’s KOOP radio (91.7 FM) podcast, The Austin KOOPerative Hour, in March, with hosts John Hoffner…

PRESS RELEASE – For Immediate Release CONTACT INFORMATIONTexas Solar Energy Society (TXSES)Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons210.722.7270 The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) is pleased to announce…

Upcoming Events: AUSTIN: April 26-27, 12pmLocation: American YouthWorks, 1901 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin 78741 HOUSTON: May 3-4; June 7-8; July 12-13, 12pmLocation: Sunnyside Veteran’s Garden, 3408…

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…

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…

The Solar Cowboys 205A Executive Way Desoto, Texas 75115 469.399.0009 TECL# 36304 Job Description: The purpose of this position is to provide support to The…

By Patrice ‘Pete’ ParsonsExecutive Director, TXSES Last weekend, I had the privilege of sharing our work at the annual/monthly meeting of the North Texas Renewable…

We talk with Nicholas Manto of The Solar Scouts, a TXSES Platinum Business member…

As energy demand continues to grow, so does the potential for greater energy risk. Despite statewide political efforts to subvert renewables, their growing numbers are…

Texas Solar Energy Society is proud to announce that it has begun the daunting task of estimating the cost of grid service interruptions to the…

TXSES is seeking a highly-organized and responsible CRM and Research Assistant intern to support our grant writing team, perform clerical and website tasks and assist…

Patrice ‘Pete’ ParsonsTXSES Executive Director Houston Chronicle (Opinion), December 2, 2023 Texans know nothing comes free, and certainly not energy. So when homeowners are sending…

By Pete Parsons, TXSES Executive Director This much-deserved fall-like weather is our reward for those brutal triple-digit months. Finally. And while we’re reveling in the…

By Steven Ùgalde, TXSES Marketing & Outreach Coordinator The City of Houston and the Houston Permitting Center (HPC) have achieved remarkable success in the solar…

Sunnova’s goal is to be the source of clean, affordable, and reliable energy with a simple mission:To power energy independence so that homeowners and businesses…

While some distributed solar systems can be ground-mounted or placed atop car ports, the vast majority of residential systems are placed atop a homeowner’s roof…

Ethan Miller, TXSES Intern, and Larry Howe, Solar and Climate Solutions Advocate It’s not hard to find estimates for utility-scale solar capacity in Texas; ERCOT…

Statewide educational campaign aims to double the amount of distributed solar by 2030 November 2, 2023 Austin, TX – As the Texas distributed solar industry matures…

If you’re looking to install solar onto your home or business but feel overwhelmed at the number of installer options available to you, TXSES is here to…

By Steven ÙgaldeMembership and Marketing Outreach Coordinator As the Texas distributed solar industry continues to expand, TXSES is thrilled to witness proactive initiatives by providers…

Although this summer’s heat is behind us, the fragility of the Texas grid is right where we left it: front and center in our lives…

By Ethan Miller and Pete Parsons Being blamed for problems you didn’t cause is frustrating and can even be grounds for defamation. For the Texas…

With a wealth of experience in customer success relationships, data analysis, case/project management and social media, TXSES welcomes Steven Ùgalde who will be instrumental in…

By Steven ÙgaldeMembership and Marketing Coordinator Our different levels of business memberships are an integral part of TXSES’ overall mission. They share their expertise in…

By Jane Pulaski, TXSES Director of Communications Before Winter Storm Uri, few people knew about or had heard of ERCOT. But since then, and especially this…

By Patrice ‘Pete’ ParsonsTXSES Executive Director Another day, another dozen or more articles about the relentless positive impact of the Investment Recovery Act (IRA) on…

In each issue of The TXSES Report, we’ll feature a member of our esteemed TXSES Board of Directors. The TXSES board of directors plays a…

SolarAPP+, the Solar Automated Permit Processing, is an innovative online web portal designed to revolutionize the plan review and permitting process for code-compliant residential photovoltaic…

In each issue of The TXSES Report, we’ll feature a member of our esteemed TXSES Board of Directors. In the August 6, 2023 issue, we…

I don’t know about you, but I grew up with parents who were relentless with sanctions if we didn’t turn lights off when we left…

Another week, another round of local, state and national news articles about how the Texas grid is trying to handle the relentless heat and keep…

For 30 years, under the skilled leadership of Dr. Lehman Marks, the Solar Car Challenge has motivated students in science, engineering and alternative energy awareness…

Source: Austin American-Statesman Thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools grant program, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) will install solar panels…

On June 25, solar power generation hit more than 1,300 megawatts setting a new all-time record. ERCOT reports show an all-time record for renewable energy…

Weather disasters keep coming, with bigger storms that last longer. Know what information you need and where to get it. Make an outage prep plan…

DYK the Solar Car Challenge, THE annual high school solar car race, is less than 3 weeks away! This year’s event, the 30th, is hosted…

Texas’ solar industry is in overdrive, and it’s not just because of the extreme weather…

The latest state results from Freeing the Grid, the highly-regarded report from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is in. Sadly, but perhaps not surprisingly…

SEIA Press ReleaseJune 1, 2023 WASHINGTON D.C. — Today the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is releasing a suite of new and updated resources for…

By Ethan MillerTXSES Intern With the gaveling of Sine Die on May 29 for the 88th Texas Legislative Session, Texas successfully avoided the passage of…

We breathe a sigh of relief that the 88th regular legislative session is over. By all accounts, this session featured a legislature run amok in…

TXSES Platinum Business Member Big Sun Solar is helping businesses with their sustainability reporting to help illustrate their commitment to addressing ESG issues and creating…

We’ve been following three solar-related bills this session. For the most current information about any legislation, visit LegiScan. HB 3010 by Rep. Zwiener (D-45) requiring…

TXSES and Environment America hosted a panel discussion about houses of worship going solar…

A detailed examination of the Texas wholesale electricity market showed wind and solar power generation saved the state approximately $11 billion in 2022. The report…

By Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons, TXSES Executive Director On May 4, 2023, I attended the Public Utility Commission’s (PUCT) distributed energy resources (DER) workshop Docket 54233…

Platinum Business Member Ohm Analytics recently shared select data for Texas permits issued for distributed solar installations for 2022-Q1 2023. Tracking market volume, growth, pricing…

HB 3010. Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-45). HB 3010, requiring municipal/county governments to use SolarApp+ (or another online program with similar capabilities) to streamline the solar…

NREL 5/3/23 Most rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems are required to go through a permitting process implemented by local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), such as community…

Since 2016, the not-for-profit Green Careers Dallas (GCD) has been helping those in greatest need of access become part of Texas’ rapidly growing solar workforce…

There are a number of clean energy bills making their way through the current Texas legislative session. Here are three that TXSES is keeping an…

By Patrice ‘Pete’ ParsonsExecutive Director Following the nearly complete failure of the ERCOT energy grid during Winter Storm Uri, Texans have been awaiting legislation to…

Austin, TX – The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) today announced it is part of a team that has received a contract from the Texas Comptroller’s…

One of the more talked about energy bills filed in the current 88th legislative session, SB 857 and companion SJR 45 is raising lots of…

If you’re considering going solar, you might be wondering if your utility will compensate you for pushing electricity you’re not using back onto the grid…

Virtual WorkshopWednesday, February 15, 2023 Designed for local Texas rural electric cooperatives, TXSES coordinated this workshop featuring national, regional and local experts who addressed questions…

Missed our Annual Meeting? No problem. Here’s the recorded version!…

Heard a lot about solar tax credits for homeowners in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)? Have a lot of questions about IRA but don’t know…

Join TXSES and its five regional chapters for the virtual Annual Meeting on Saturday January 28, 10a-Noon…

The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) announced the election of three new members to its board of directors, as well as the full slate of…

This month’s Platinum Business Member profile is Nicholas Sprunck, owner/CEO of Texas Solar Cowboys, solar installer in the DFW Metroplex…

Austin, TX  – Tool, Texas and Waco, Texas have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory as one of 12…

As we approach year’s end, I’m thinking about gratitude, more than ever, both personally and professionally. Beloved family and cherished friends notwithstanding, I have profound…

By Howard ‘Scot’ Arey TXSES Board Chair When I first became involved with TXSES nearly a decade ago, the biggest challenge was solar adoption by…

Today, when we realistically evaluate the situation concerning water, disastrous extreme weather events, melting glaciers, etc., we admit that we have some serious problems to…

TXSES board member Amy Heart, who leads public policy at Sunrun, helped craft the pilot as a member of the ADER task force. She joins…

Homeowners are keen on having solar on their roofs and taking advantage of the value that the system adds to their home while they live…

On a recent Saturday afternoon, I took a drive to Whispering Valley to see for myself what a 2,000-acre planned community of sustainable design and…

TXSES wishes Platinum Business Member Mission Solar a very happy 10th anniversary!…

Renewables are on track to save Texans $11 billion total this year, reports University of Texas Austin research scientist, IdeaSmiths executive and former TXSES board…

By Robert Lagerblad NTREG event coordinator for the DFW Solar Tour 2022 Saturday, October 1st was a lovely day for the 2022 solar tour in…

For the past three years, Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons has been at the helm of TXSES, carrying out the organization’s mission to educate and inspire every…

In his nearly three decades of public service work, Dub has been a tireless advocate for energy efficiency, clean energy and performance contracting in the…

TXSES Board Chair Scot Arey suggests Texans win when all energy sources are available…

TXSES oard member, renewable energy expert and all-around marvelous human, Karl Rabago, talks with KRLD AM’s Mitch Carr about the rise of and massive potential…

Our friends at Austin Energy have details on their website to avoid being scammed…

Born into a farming/ranching family in eastern New Mexico, Raina Tillman Hornaday has been a key player in Texas renewables…

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is developing a pilot project to investigate how distributed energy resources can boost electric reliability…

Neither the solar nor wind industries are represented on the 12-member appointed committee…

President Biden signed the historic $739 billion Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on August 16…

Nestled between Austin and San Antonio, the City of New Braunfels is home to some well-loved landmarks: Schlitterbahn Water Park, Natural Bridge Caverns and Gruene…

Starting with two employees in 2007, Lighthouse Solar, TXSES Platinum business member, now has 40 employees. Stan has been a key player in shaping local…

By Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons Executive Director TXSES Since February, when Russia invaded Ukraine, Texas has been exporting more natural gas to Europemore than ever before…

 In the middle of a heat wave, this renewable source is helping to offset the increased need for energy with help from the sun…

As Texans hunkered down again from a “reserve capacity energy shortage” this week, one thing was clear: Texans who invested in solar helped the electric…

Been thinking about going solar? With solar panels at attractive prices, the time to invest in clean energy solutions has never been better!…

Here at TXSES, we’re fortunate to have interns who are learning the non-profit and solar industry worlds at the same time…

In response to the Texas Public Utility Commission’s project 51603, Review of Distributed Energy Resources, TXSES prepared and submitted comments…

These continue to be interesting times for Texas utilities. With record triple-digit temperatures already blanketing the state, concerns that the grid can keep up with…

Did you know that Texas produces more power than any other state?…

As a cooperative, the Pedernales Electric Coop is owned and governed by its members. PEC’s service territory serves close to 375,000 customers, (more meters than…

This weekend, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) electrical grid will be stressed…

At long last!! After a few months of focused work and countless tweaks, we’re delighted to officially announce our remodeled website at www.txses.org…

President Biden announced that the U.S. will cease to import Russian oil. Simultaneously, Ukraine is set to join the European energy system in a further…

Amy Heart Vice President Policy, Sunrun Texans experienced first-hand the devastating impacts from unreliable power and poor energy security from the recent spate of winter…

For the past 10 years, Biggart has built Texas-based Freedom Solar from two to more than 500 employees in five states. We had the chance…

Schedule: Part-time Salary range: Commensurate with experience Position: reports to Executive Director and Board Chair Location: Flexible; Texas-based preferred For more than four decades, TXSES…

Another year draws to a close, and even in these trying times of inflation and supply chain concerns, we have much to be thankful for…

A bedrock in the Austin community for more than seven decades, The Children’s Haven Association (TCHA) has helped disadvantaged individuals and families in marginalized communities…

Since they were teenagers, Derrick and Eric Hoffman have been in the electrical services business, learning the basics from their father, Tom. As their apprenticeships…

Source: Environment Texas November 6, 2021 The U.S. House of Representatives voted 228-206 last night to build a bridge to a brighter future by passing…

The affairs of TXSES are governed by a Board of Directors chosen from its membership. If you are a current member of TXSES or become a member prior to…

Karl RábagoRábago Energy LLC For nearly two years now, a coalition of clean energy developers, advocates, and experts from across the U.S. has been working…

Howard ‘Scot’ AreyTXSES Board Chair There is a train wreck coming for behind-the-meter distributed solar and it’s our responsibility to fix it. Even after the…

By Jack Maedgen, Former TXSES intern Access to clean and affordable energy is an essential part of modern life. Cooking, cleaning, doing homework at night…

Since 2010, The PowerStore in Alvarado, Texas and recently in Mooresville, North Carolina, has supplied solar power and storage solutions to customers in the U.S…

By Dori Wolfe, Houston Area SUN Co-op Coordinator There’s never been a better time for solar in Texas. I’m proud to be part of an…

Back in April, I shared with you what was happening at the Pedernales Electric Cooperative. Its anti-solar policies, approved in December 2020, level a direct…

By Dub Taylor, Chief Operating Officer Texas PACE Authority   The demand for solar in Texas is exploding as costs continue to decline and property owners…

With permission, by Suzanne Bertin and Erica Glenn for Advanced Energy Economy, June 3, 2021 It was a dark and stormy session for the Texas legislature…

As the Texas chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, TXSES has spent the last four decades working to educate and inspire every Texan to…

by Luke Metzger More Texans are going solar every day. Texas currently has enough solar energy capacity installed to power the equivalent of more than…

San Antonio-based CAM Solar is a solar sales and installation company serving customers in San Antonio, Austin, the Rio Grande Valley and parts of Colorado…

By Howard ‘Scot’ Arey Potential anti-solar policies at the Pedernales Electric Coop (PEC) threaten to derail future distributed solar in PEC’s service territory, the rural…

BREAKING: Build San Antonio Green, our San Antonio TXSES chapter, receives the 2021 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection…

If it’s an odd-numbered year, the Texas legislature is in session. A confluence of clamor and mayhem with thousands of bills filed (more than 7,000…

    By Joshua Rhodes, Ph.D With sunny days and afternoon temperatures pushing into the 80s, it is hard to believe that just over a…

I thought my first Solar Reflector article would focus on why I returned to TXSES. I felt an urgency to speak out against under-the-radar attacks…

Jason PittmanPresidentGoSmartSolar How often do you wander into your boss’s office to resign and he ends up offering you something you really want to do?…

The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) today announced it has received a $75,000 grant from the Texas-based Meadows Foundation. These funds will support TXSES’s mission…

February 22, 2021 Excerpted from pvmagazine By David Brearley, TXSES Board Member   As my wife and I melted snow this past week to flush…

From Aljazeera News to the New York Times to the Christian Science Monitor, Joshua Rhodes, research fellow at the Webber Energy Group at the University…

The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) announced the election of six new members to its board of directors, as well as the full slate of…

 …

Chair’s Corner – December 2020 Katherine Searcy, Chair As we wrap up one of the most tumultuous years that I can recall, I return to…

When Michael Blank was nine, his dad, an electrical engineer, taught him basic wiring. At 13, Blank was doing more complicated electrical tasks than dad…

by Jane Pulaski In this nothing-is-normal simmering cauldron we’re currently living in, I am nonetheless thinking about the upcoming Texas legislative session. Perhaps it’s a…

By David Bearley Solar Austin, Secretary, Board of Directors NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional (#091804-5) Solar Austin has had its one of its most successful and productive…

TXSES welcomes three interns for 2021, all of whom are committed to helping TXSES achieve its mission. “We couldn’t be more fortunate and excited to…

by Roger Duncan I do not need to spend time to convince readers of this newsletter that solar power is the future of electric generation…

The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) today announced the addition of Eco El Paso to its family of local chapters across the state. “We are…

From humble beginnings to 21st Century, this is the signature event for learning to live comfortably in Central Texas climate For nearly a quarter-century, Austin…

Guest contributor: Alan Barley AIA Barley Pfeiffer Architecture With more than 30 years’ experience, we at Barley Pfeiffer Architecture have been involved in almost every…

For a quarter-century, the American Solar Energy (ASES) has organized and delivered the National Solar Tour, the largest grassroots solar event in the U.S. This…

Guest editorial by Jonathan Kraatz, Executive Director USGBC/Texas and Robert Pegues, Quality Assurance Manager, Single Family Division, TexEnergy | Us-EcoLogic  LEED, Leadership for Energy Efficiency…

Rosa Orenstein JD This year, the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Solar Tour is featuring more than 60 locations nationwide, including homes and businesses…

By Katherine Searcy, Chair, TXSES Board of Directors The Texas Solar Energy Society’s mission is Equitable Access to Solar Energy for Every Texan. Green building…

Guest blog: Katherine Burk Cheema is a West Texas native and a proud Texas Longhorn Alumna. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with…

From the outset, I knew that 2020 would be a year of great change for TXSES…

By Hanna Mitchell, Program Director for Solar United Neighbors of Texas While demand for solar is growing across Texas – and some Texas cities have…

By Joshua D. Rhodes, Ph.D. , Research Associate, Webber Energy Group University of Texas/Austin There is not much in this world that has not been…

Making cost predictions over any time frame is a dicey game, but using the past decade as a handy portent ($2 to 18 cents), in…

Dear valued TXSES members and sponsors, In these unprecedented times when things are changing around us at incredible speed, we believe kinship is more important…

It was a fantastic meeting at the Georgetown Library at our annual event   Charlie Hemmeline with the Texas Solar Power Association gave the following…

The City of San Antonio announced in May that it, and CPS Energy, San Antonio’s municipally owned utility, have been selected for national recognition for programs…

In spite of strong Texas growth, GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association report that the residential solar market declined in the first quarter…

As the latest development in the boom taking place across Texas, Southern Company announced the commissioning of the 102 MW Lamesa solar plant, according to this…