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A New Year of Continued Partnerships
by Patrice 'Pete' Parsons, TXSES Executive Director
Yes, it's January but with the kind of temperatures we’ve had, you’d think it was October or November. But according to weather reports, sub-freezing temperatures are headed our way. And while those reports allege this episode will be nothing like Winter Storm Uri in 2021, it’s not surprising that folks are a bit wary. As University of Texas research scientist and former TXSES board member Joshua Rhodes says, “It’s deep in the Texas psyche now, and anytime it gets really hot or really cold, the grid is front of mind.”
As energy demand continues to grow, so does the potential for greater energy risk. Despite statewide political efforts to subvert renewables, its numbers are enviable. Through 2022, Texas was second in solar production nationally, just behind California. A recent Clean Energy States Alliance report ranks Texas first with the highest capacity for electricity generation: 38% of Texas' electricity capacity comes from clean electricity. And lest we forget August 10, when wind and solar energy generated enough power to meet 25% of demand during the peak hour of usage, according to ERCOT. MORE
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How Much Does Texas’ Unstable Grid Cost Texans? We’re Finding Out.
by Ethan Miller, TXSES Research Associate – Policy and Government Affairs
One might think that after several years of recurrent issues with the stability of the electric grid, Texas would have established a standard system for valuing the cost of grid failures. Unfortunately, that is not the case. However, the 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 Texas economy.
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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 with various research projects to spread awareness about our work as the single statewide non-profit organization that advocates for the distributed solar industry. Applicants should be prepared to work in a fast-paced team environment with unique opportunities to gain broad experience in Texas’ booming solar energy industry. Selected applicant will be on-boarded by our current intern and staff. Position open until filled. Pass along this job opening to anyone who might be interested. | |
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Will the Texas grid hold up in the freeze? Experts give their confidence scores
CBS News January 11, 2024
Track the Texas power grid: Here's how to monitor ERCOT's current grid conditions in real-time
click2houston.com January 11, 2024
Another blast of cold air
Texas Energy and Power Newsletter January 11, 2024
Agrivoltaics can help meet growing needs of Lone Star State
pvmagazine.com January 10, 2024
ERCOT issues new notice ahead of next week's power blast
kvue.com January 9, 2024
When done right, solar makes sense. What to know before you go solar in 2024.
kcentv.com January 8, 2024
ERCOT may connect with eastern power grid to avoid winter emergency conditions
kwtx.com January 6, 2024
After the lights go out, then what?
Union of Concerned Scientists January 4, 2024
What is ERCOT and what does it do?
PowerMag December 29, 2023
EIA report finds that renewable energy generation surpassed coal in 2022
Daily Energy Insider December 29, 2023
Clean, renewable energy: it's not just a 'blue state' thing
Environment America December 27, 2023
The year in clean energy: wind, solar and batteries grow despite economic challenges
kxan.com December 27, 2023
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For nearly 50 years, TXSES has been the pre-eminent statewide organization that creates and disseminates quality, fact-based solar information for every Texas community. TXSES reaches and teaches thousands of Texans annually through multi-faceted education and outreach strategies that include traditional and social media, events and one-on-one engagement with decision-makers. Public and private funds are needed to continue doing what we've done for more than four decades, delivering the kinds of resources and successes you've come to expect from us. Truth is, you make what we do possible. Won't you join us in our mission to make clean energy more inclusive, accessible and affordable by making a tax-deductible contribution to TXSES. Thank you. | |
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TXSES welcomes John Hall to its Board of Directors!
As President and CEO of HARC (Houston Advanced Research Center), John leads a respected and reputable organization engaged in research and policy analysis to forge effective and sustainable solutions to Texas’ huge climate resilience and climate justice challenges. For more than three decades, John has been a renowned thought leader and practitioner advocating for air quality, the environment, communities and climate. Before coming to HARC, he chaired the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the predecessor agency to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Under his leadership, he merged environmental programs from several state agencies to form the TNRCC, create a framework to manage the Edwards Aquifer that was subsequently enacted into state statute; established Texas’ first Task Force to identify and assess environmental justice issues; and develop and implement a set of pollution prevention initiatives that catalyzed major reductions in air toxics and hazardous waste in the state. We're honored to have John on the TXSES board of directors.
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TXSES Annual Membership Meeting
Saturday, January 27, 2024
10am-Noon
via zoom
With 2023 in the rearview mirror and 2024 already looking relentlessly busy, it's time to gather and tell you what’s in the queue. We're excited to have a powerhouse lineup of guest presenters who will address equity, economics and policies in Texas' clean energy space. According to our by-laws, only TXSES members can attend our annual meeting (TXSES members will receive the zoom link in a separate email).
Not sure if your membership is up-to-date?
Email Ethan Miller ethan@txses.org
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Amy Heart
Vice President of Public Policy, Sunrun
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Margo Weisz
Executive Director Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI)
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Michael Jewell
Attorney, Jewel & Associates PLLC
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We'll also hear from our regional chapters in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio who will update us on their innovative activities. Mark your calendars NOW!
See you on January 27! 😎
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Solar Automated Permitting Processing+, known as Solar APP+, provides local governments with a standard portal for receiving and processing permit information for residential solar and solar+storage systems helping reduce soft costs with the installation process. Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), SolarAPP+ is FREE to city and county permitting departments and integrates seamlessly with existing government software.
With the relentless growth of solar in the state, TXSES is helping more municipalities adopt Solar APP+, and thanks to our friends at the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), qualified communities are eligible for a $25K grant to adopt Solar APP+. In addition to SECO funding, NREL will support the municipalities with free technical
assistance and hardware upgrades – at NO cost to municipalities!
If you’re interested in helping your municipality adopt Solar APP+, email Steven Ùgalde at sugalde@txses.org
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Ohm Analytics is a TXSES Platinum Business Member
Ohm Analytics’ solar market intelligence platform is a powerful tool for the industry that is used by leading installers, OEMs, distributors and financial firms. In Texas, Ohm aggregates data from dozens of sources and, as a TXSES member, you can access the platform and abridged research for free by signing up here. The chart below includes the most recent data for Texas permit trends through November 2023.
Ohm offers free base access, as well as paid premium access with expanded geographic, competitor-level detail and reporting coverage. This premium access can also be obtained at no cost with participation in Ohm's data partner program. You can set up a time to learn more about the initiative here.
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Business members are an integral part of TXSES’ overall mission. Support from our generous solar business community enables TXSES to help them meet the ever-changing challenges facing the industry. We require all business members to sign a code of conduct and adhere to ethical business practices. We believe this practice creates an accurate, honest environment with values that reflect our organizational culture.
New members
- The Solar Scouts - Platinum
- Holt Renewables – Platinum
Interested in becoming a TXSES business member? Contact Steven Ùgalde via email or call 512.264.4372.
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About TXSES: A membership-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization for nearly 40 years, TXSES’s unique niche is exemplified in our well-established local chapters in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio. Having boots on the ground in these major metropolitan cities, which represent nearly a quarter of Texas’s 30 million+ citizens, enables our gifted, dedicated members to disseminate fact-based, relevant solar information to all Texans. www.txses.org | |
👉Like what you see? Have suggestions, ideas? We'll keep you updated with the latest TXSES happenings, plus important statewide clean energy headlines affecting you! BTW, feel free to share this with friends, family and neighbors. Remember, you have a voice 👍 Subscribe to The TXSES Report today!
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