|
Texas pays Bitcoin miners to save energy. Why not homeowners to produce it?
Houston Chronicle Opinion/Op-Ed 12/4/23
by Patrice 'Pete' Parsons, TXSES Executive Director
Texans know nothing comes free, and certainly not energy. So when homeowners are sending their own self-generated solar energy to the grid to prop up its strained resources and reduce their energy usage, they want to see the money. Yet that’s not happening in Texas. This summer, it was revealed that a major energy customer received millions of dollars to reduce their energy use. A bitcoin mining company, in fact. Meanwhile, average Texans cut back on their air conditioning in extreme heat for free. What is wrong with this scenario? It shows that corporations are valued more than Texans trying to get through their daily life.
| |
In each issue of The Solar Report, we'll highlight a newsworthy item from one of TXSES' clean energy colleagues. We share Doug Lewin's insightful article, ERCOT Needs an Independent Review, in the November 30 edition of the Texas Energy and Power Newsletter.
| |
|
On the day before Thanksgiving, ERCOT released its self-assessment on the September 6th incident (when the Texas grid nearly went into rolling outages). The agency gave itself an A+. No one should get to grade their own papers. A third party needs to review ERCOT's actions on September 6 and make recommendations to ensure the right lessons are learned. MORE
| |
|
No shining example: Texas-style electric deregulation is bad for consumers
UtilityDive December 8, 2023
US solar industry poised for slower growth next year after record setting 2023
Reuters December 7, 2023
The energy storage space is heating up. Here are some of the technologies making a dent
UtilityDive December 5, 2023
Can ERCOT show the way to faster and cheaper interconnection
UtilityDive November 27, 2023
America's greenest state is deep, deep red
Business Insider November 21, 2023
What if we decarbonized the grid from the bottom up?
Energy Changemakers November 19, 2023
GAF Energy’s new Texas factory is about to make a lot of nailable solar shingles
electrek.com November 15, 2023
Developing the solar power workforce for the gigawatt era
powermag.com November 14, 2023
San Antonio goes big on solar program
tpr.org November 14, 2023
Eastside office tower blazes trail for solar power
elpasoinc.com November 12, 2023
| |
|
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.
| |
|
TXSES welcomes Cris Eugster to its Board of Directors!
Cris is the CEO and co-founder of Ever.green, a high-integrity climate platform that brings new sources of capital from companies of all sizes to the energy transition. Cris has held several senior executive positions in the power sector.
"Solar is such an important technology to bring clean power to millions of Texas homes and businesses," said Eugster. "We need to ensure the state's policies and programs are structured in the best possible way for the delivery of clean, reliable, affordable power to all. I look forward to working with fellow board members along with Pete and her team to see Texas continue its leadership in the energy transition."
Cris holds a Ph.D from MIT in electrical engineering where he studied and published extensively in the area of quantum transport in nanostructures.
|  | |
TXSES Annual Membership Meeting
Saturday, January 27, 2024
10am-Noon
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87820935524
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:
| |
|
Amy Heart
Vice President of Public Policy, Sunrun
| |
|
Margo Weisz
Executive Director Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI)
| |
|
Michael Jewell
Attorney, Jewel & Associates PLLC
| |
|
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.
Zoom attendance is limited to 100. RSVP here! 👇
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87820935524
Not sure if your membership is up-to-date? Email Ethan Miller ethan@txses.org
Mark your calendars NOW! See you on January 27! 😎
| |
|
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 October 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.
| |
|
Business members are an integral part of TXSES’ overall mission. Support from our generous solar business community enables TXSES to continue to help them meet the ever-changing challenges facing the industry. We require all business members to sign a code of conduct and ethical requirements. We believe this practice creates an accurate, honest environment with values that reflect our business and ethical beliefs.
Interested in becoming a TXSES business member? Contact Steven Ùgalde via email or call 512.264.4372.
NEW Members
🫶THANKS to all TXSES business members!!
| | |
|  |
|
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 29 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!
| | | | |
