The Explosive Energy Demand from AI, Data Centers & Crypto on Texas’ Grid
By Elle Nicholson Data centers are on the rise in Texas due to a variety of technologies. The foundations of the internet run on data centers, as do artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency mines, all of which are booming. Since data centers require copious amounts of energy for operation, they are drastically increasing levels of energy […]
Smart Inverters: Strengthening Grids Against Hurricanes and Power Outages
By Mohammad Alkhatib On July 8, 2024, Hurricane Beryl swept through Texas, leaving approximately 2.2 million Houston-area customers without power. Although CenterPoint Energy was able to restore power to 1 million customers within 48 hours, the process was not completed until a full two weeks later. The widespread outages underscore the need for a more […]
Industry Spotlight: Longhorn Solar
We regularly highlight one of our esteemed Platinum Business Members with an exclusive interview in the TXSES newsletter. This month, TXSES Communications Director Tamara Kowalski reached out to Longhorn Solar CEO Louis Petrik, who is also on the TXSES Board of Directors, to learn about the origins of the company, their mission & outlook, and […]
Solar in the Aftermath of Hurricane Beryl
by Patrice “Pete” Parsons, TXSES Executive Director The devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl this summer left millions of Texans reeling, including nearly 3 million in the Houston area who were without power in 100+ degree temperatures, with many still out weeks afterwards. Throughout the outage, one thing became crystal clear: localized distributed energy resources (DER), […]
TXSES Study Finds Solar Owners Shortchanged by 78% of their Worth
by Ethan Miller According to a new study commissioned by the Texas Solar Energy Society and produced by Dunsky Energy and Climate Advisors, the value of solar (VOS) is experiencing externalities. Externalities, according to the International Monetary Fund, are a market failure that occurs when a good’s “indirect effects have an impact on the consumption […]
TXSES Report: “Texas Grid Reliability: 2022 Interruption Cost Analysis”
TXSES’s new report analyzes the economic impact of grid service interruptions caused by extreme weather events in Texas. Executive Summary The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) is dedicated to enhancing Texas’s energy infrastructure. This report presents an analysis of the economic impact of grid service interruptions across Texas, a project led by our research department. […]
Solar + Storage vs. Generators in the United States
By Mohammad Alkhatib In the United States, the need for reliable backup power solutions is increasing due to frequent power outages and natural disasters. Solar storage systems and traditional generators are two prominent options for ensuring continuous power supply during outages. This report provides a comprehensive comparison of these two solutions, analyzing their pros and […]
Report Commissioned by TXSES on the Value of Solar in Texas Released
By Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons, TXSES Executive Director Until Hurricane Beryl, the biggest news in Texas energy this summer had stemmed from ERCOT Chief Executive Officer Pablo Vegas’s mid-June announcement to state legislators that demand for power in the ERCOT regions of Texas could nearly double by 2030—a number much higher than previously estimated. The news […]
U.S Solar Market Growth Predictions for 2025
By Mohammad Alkhatib Solar Energy: A Bright Future Ahead You’re probably aware that renewable energy is the future, but did you know that solar energy is set to lead the charge in the next few years? According to the latest Short-Term Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), solar power generation in the […]
Solar Car Challenge 2024 & “TXSES Day at the Race” in Ft. Worth
The 28th Annual Solar Car Challenge was held July 14–17, 2024, at the Texas Motor Speedway, in Ft. Worth, TX. TXSES was excited to participate in the 2024 Solar Car Challenge on Monday, July 15th, when we were honored with a “TXSES Day at the Race.” Executive Director Patrice “Pete” Parsons welcomed the crowd and […]