The Solar Reflector
Newsletter of the Texas Solar Energy Society - August 2019
 


We need your support to promote energy efficiency and clean, renewable solar power in Texas.  


Fall 2019 Events

TXSES and Solar Austin, North Texas Renewable Energy Group and Build San Antonio Green all have events in collaboration with the  ASES National Solar Tour , the largest grassroot solar event in the country.


Bluebonnet Electric Coop partners with TXSES and Solar Austin at their EcoHome in Brenham.



The 10th DFW Solar Tour October 5. This tour is the largest in Texas, the 3rd largest in the country!  A solar tour of course, but NTREG covers all aspects of
renewables, sustainable living and EVs.



Not really a solar tour, but what a party! Build San Antonio Green and their Bring Solar Home program is making Solar Fest better than ever. Enjoy live music, cold beverages, a variety of food trucks and gather information on sustainable living at Hemisphere Park. 

For solar project developers. Meet  corporate offtakers, cities, munis, co-ops, the financing community, and other key stakeholders to sort out where the market is headed and keep abreast of the latest trends shaping the Texas renewables market.
 


Our Chapters
Around the State
Our chapters in   all work to promote the value and adoption of clean, sustainable solar power. Our calendar   lists  more  events around the state and the nation.

Solar News of Note 



Stay up to date on on breaking renewable energy news in the state and around the nation.
Thank you EarthShare Texas for your support

We are fortunate to be one of 39  environmental organizations under the EarthShare Texas umbrella . ESTx raises money through workplace giving, H-E-B's April tear pad campaign and Reliant Energy EcoShare. Thank you to all the employees and individuals who financially support us through EarthShare.

Chair's Corner

Rosa Rodriguez Orenstein

Greetings to all! I hope you enjoyed some time off this summer and have returned refreshed and ready for the rest of the year.

The TXSES search committee is assiduously working to confront our biggest challenge and opportunity in 2019: hiring a worthy successor to the exceptional Lucy Stolzenburg as executive director. Hopefully you noticed the July job posting and announcement in various publications and websites.

The Cool House Tour was a smashing success this year! Please accept my heartfelt thanks to all of our hosts, sponsors, and volunteers. The time, effort, and resources provided by each of the constituent groups resulted in the highly recognized Cool House Tour's enormous achievement this year. I also want to express my appreciation to the tour attendees, who traveled from all corners of the state this year. Read More


Up on the Roof

   
By Ron Zagarri, TXSES
 
Quick, name one thing that beats the comfort and convenience of modern electricity service coupled with the low carbon footprint of a grid-tied solar system? Answer: a grid-tied solar system that completely eliminates those pesky monthly electric bills.
 
Since installing rooftop solar in 2014, Austin resident Eric Loften has never paid an electric bill.
 
Like most people, Eric has more important things to think about than electric service. He relied on his solar installer to design and install a system suited to his needs. The installer also worked with the local utility to connect the system to the grid.
 
I sat down with Eric to learn about his experience over the past four-and-a-half years.    Read More


Zero Down Rooftop Solar Financing



  
By Scot Arey, Solar CenTex

As a solar installer for the past seven  years, I have found that the most interesting aspect of client interactions is the discussion that takes place in the first meeting. Our typical first question is, "Why do you want solar?" We almost always get one of two answers. For some, the answer is energy reliability and security, and for these homeowners we begin the discussion with battery backup.
 
For most, however, the answer is that they want to save money on their electricity bills. For homeowners paying cash and staying in their "forever" home, this discussion is very straightforward.
 
But for those who want readily-available, 100 percent (zero down) financing of their solar systems, the discussion must be grounded in the correct assumptions to ensure that the homeowner is making a smart financial investment.

These are three important considerations that effect the 100 percent financing consumer   Read More


Covering All the Bases


 

By By Nafi Shah and Jay Bramble, Lighthouse Solar
 
As Texas weathers heat waves, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, drought, and rising sea levels, rooftop solar panels offer an affordable solution to restore natural systems with renewable, carbon-free energy. Distributed solar offers tremendous potential to reduce our nation's GHG emissions, and large deployments will also reduce sulfur and mercury pollution while saving approximately 60,000 American lives each year.
 
One remarkable installation that had a positive impact on the community, the environment, and our company is the Starkey solar project. Read More


The Solar Reflector is a publication of the
Texas Solar Energy Society

The Texas Solar Energy Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1976. Our mission is to promote clean, safe, locally harvested solar energy for every Texan.

Board Officers
Rosa Rodriguez Orenstein - Chair (Duncanville)
Katherine Searcy - Vice Chair (Austin)
Ron Zagarri - Secretary (Austin)
Paul Gonin -  Treasurer (Georgetown
Board Members at Large
John Gardner (Brenham)
Micah Jasuta (Austin)
Robert Moss (El Paso)
Amy Olsen (Austin)
Joshua Rhodes (Boulder, CO)
Mark Witte (Richardson)
Chapter Representatives to the Board
Leslie Libby - Solar Austin 
Rosa Rodriguez Orenstein - North Texas Renewable Energy Group (NTREG)
Kaylyn Randolph - Build San Antonio Green
Angela Shen - Houston Renewable Energy Group (HREG)
Executive Director  - Lucy Stolzenburg 
Solar Reflector Editor - Ron Zagarri 
Solar Reflector Copy Editor - Sarah Weber 


Thanks to Our Platinum and Gold Level Supporters
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                                                                                                                                                     Visit TXSES.org  for a list of all our business supporters. We thank all of our members, both business and individual, for supporting our mission to promote the adoption of clean, safe, locally harvested solar energy for every Texan.