Solar PV in Dripping Springs: a Homeowner’s Story About Going Big with Solar
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 was comfortable supervising. Spoiler alert: solar PV and Michael Blank have a future together. When IBM released its first personal computer in 1986, Blank and fellow students at Video Technical […]
Texas Solar Policy in the 87th Texas Regular Legislative Session: Vocal or Muted?
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 distraction from relentless pandemic obsessing, but as a former house and senate committee clerk, every new session still arouses my penchant for the legislative process. While every session is unique, […]
Building Pathways to Clean Energy Careers: Solar Austin Develops Equitable Clean Energy Jobs Internship Program
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 years since its founding in 2002. In spite of the global pandemic, we set records in 2020 for fundraising and monthly happy hour attendance. After years of operating as an […]
TXSES Welcomes Its 2021 Interns!
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 have these smart, talented students work with us in 2021,” said Pete Parsons, TXSES Executive Director. “With the upcoming legislative session, in addition to all the other projects we’ve got […]
The Future of Solar
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. But the way we generate that power will include many more technologies than the solar panels we are putting on rooftops today. Indeed, I expect solar panels and coverings to […]
Texas Solar Energy Society Welcomes Eco El Paso as New West Texas Chapter
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 excited to welcome Eco El Paso as a new local TXSES chapter” said TXSES Executive Director Pete Parsons. “Under the leadership of Executive Director Shelby Ruff, Eco El Paso brings […]
The 24th Annual Cool House Tour Goes Virtual!
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 Energy Green Building (AEGB) and the Texas Solar Energy Society have been on the front lines raising awareness about energy-efficient design and construction to architects, builders, contractors, suppliers and Texas […]
Build Small, Live Large: Building less costs less but doesn’t sacrifice comfort
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 type of residential project imaginable. Designing high-performance homes and remodels is our specialty. To date, we’ve completed more than 450 one-off custom homes and another 250 remodels. We continually look […]
American Solar Energy Society’s 25th National Solar Tour Goes Virtual!
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 year’s all-virtual tour is being extended beginning September 28 and running through the official tour weekend, October 3 and 4. Carly Rixham, ASES Executive Director, talks about the Tour’s long-standing […]
The Path to LEED Certification in the Built Environment
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 and Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving […]