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 and diversifies, there is an increasing need for consumers to understand the benefits, separating fact from fiction and educating decision-makers on the critical importance of sound, favorable solar policies that will grow the industry and lay the foundation for building a strong diverse, distributed solar industry in Texas’ rapidly changing clean energy economy.
Since 1976, TXSES has been the single statewide organization advocating for a robust distributed solar energy industry in Texas. A membership-based organization, TXSES’s unique niche is its well-established local chapters in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio. Its educational and outreach expertise has been key to raising awareness that distributed solar will support ambitious clean energy and carbon reduction goals and enhance the resilience and reliability of the electric grid, while building a diverse, equitable, well-trained distributed solar energy workforce.
“Over the past year, we’ve convened thought leaders in the distributed solar industry, educators, decision-makers and other stakeholders to get their input on the highest priorities that would enable every Texan to adopt solar energy as part of an equitable, 100% clean energy future,” says TXSES Executive Director Pete Parsons. “Given the unrelenting consumer demand for solar, while addressing the unreliability of the Texas grid, this statewide campaign represents a natural progression for TXSES in our nearly half-century of educating and raising awareness of the value and benefits of distributed solar in Texas.”
Using EIA data and Google’s Project Sunroof, TXSES policy committee member Larry Howe and TXSES intern Ethan Miller estimate conservatively there are nearly 300,000 residential and commercial distributed solar rooftops in Texas. This initiative proposes to double that within seven years.
“If growth in both demand and supply of Texas’ distributed solar sector is to continue in a safe and sustainable way, we must ensure that consumers, industry and policymakers are well-informed; that innovative and efficient business models thrive and a well-trained, quality workforce is responsive to both industry and community needs,” says Chair of TXSES Board of Directors Dr. Ariane L. Beck. “This is classic TXSES: providing straightforward educational distributed solar expertise to advance a secure, clean energy Texas.”
“Doing everything possible to ensure reliable power to the citizens of Texas cannot be over-emphasized,” says Texas State Representative Erin Zwiener. “The role of distributed solar is an important piece of that puzzle as it helps to reduce demand on the grid for everyone. As the only statewide organization that advocates for distributed solar, I am excited to learn that TXSES seeks to achieve this ambitious goal of doubling Texas’ distributed solar footprint. The impact of this initiative is a win-win for us all.”