Misinformation & Disinformation in Solar
by Patrice "Pete" Parsons, TXSES Executive Director
Misinformation and disinformation are at an all-time high in recent years, not only in politics, but also when it comes to protecting our environment and improving the use of our resources.
Although a Pew Research Center survey found last June that “67% of U.S. adults prioritize the development of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and hydrogen power over increasing the production of fossil fuel energy sources,” these positive thoughts can be quickly undermined when false narratives enter the picture, as highlighted in Solar Today's article last month, It’s Time to Stand up for Solar.
Much of the disinformation on renewables originates from “deliberately misleading sources,” such as bogus so-called “local” organizations, ultimately funded by those in the fossil fuel industry, according to a recent report from Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, “Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles.” The report looked at the 14 most commonly circulated false claims and refuted them with the goal of providing correct information to communities.
Since going into all of them would create an exceptionally long article, I have pulled a few of the most outrageous ones mentioned in the report, with the Center’s debunked responses. (Read more on our website.)
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TXSES Member of Coalition Awarded $250 Million EPA Funding
TXSES is pleased to share that on Earth Day, the Texas Solar for All Coalition, of which TXSES is a participant, was awarded nearly $250 million in grant funding to deliver residential solar to more than 46,000 low-income and disadvantaged communities and households across Texas.
Read more.
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TXSES Insight:
Texas’s Transmission Troubles and CREZ II
Last October, TXSES intern Ethan Miller wrote an article arguing that many of last summer’s electric reliability scares and energy price increases were not the fault of renewables (as ERCOT had claimed), but the fault of insufficient transmission capacity. As it turns out, that exact problem has been generating attention around the Capitol. Read more.
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Solar Austin Hiring Opportunity – Executive Director
Solar Austin, a local chapter of TXSES, is a hiring for a full-time Executive Director to carry out Solar Austin’s vision through responsible fiscal management and oversight of the organization’s ongoing community programs. Learn more.
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Industry Spotlight
Krannich Solar
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by Steven Ùgalde, TXSES Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
Each month we highlight one of our esteemed Platinum Business Members with an interview in our newsletter. This month, we feature TXSES's newest Platinum Business Member, Krannich Solar. TXSES Marketing & Outreach Coordinator Steven Ùgalde spoke with Krannich's Chloe Rousseau about their business, vision, and accomplishments. Read more.
Interested in becoming a Business Member? See member benefits and join today!
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TXSES is partnering with Green Careers Texas and their terrific Solar Installation Training Program as we work to connect employers with graduates of the program in Dallas, Houston and Austin. Students receive entry-level training, OSHA 10 safety certification, and apprentice electrician licenses during the training, and are ready to work.
Interested in hiring program graduates? Attend a hiring event at 12pm on any day of training or contact Executive Director Tracy Wallace.
Upcoming Hiring Events (all events at 12pm)
- DALLAS: June 1-2
- AUSTIN: June 6-7
- HOUSTON: June 7-8 & July 12-13
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TXSES is proud to be an event partner for the inaugural Texas Intersolar & Energy Storage North America (IESNA) regional conference, in partnership with the Texas Solar Power Association (TSPA). The conference will be held in Austin on November 19-20, at the Downtown Marriott.
Early Bird Registration is Now Open! See pricing and register here.
Interested in being an exhibitor? See details and get in touch here.
IESNA is the premier US-based conference and trade show focused on solar, energy storage, and EV charging infrastructure. The Texas event will support solar + storage professionals seeking products, information, and connections for success in the Texas energy market.
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Solar Car Challenge 2024 July 11–17, 2024
Texas Motor Speedway, Ft. Worth
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Have you heard of the Solar Car Challenge? Since 1993, the Challenge has taught high school students around the world how to build roadworthy solar cars. It is the top project-based STEM Initiative helping motivate students in science, engineering and alternative energy to increase alternative energy awareness.
Based in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, the Challenge has 261 high school solar car projects preparing for the 2024 racing event this July. Teams are located in 39 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Spain, and Singapore. The cars will complete a tour across Texas before official race events begin in Fort Worth.
See event times & dates.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Sponsorships are available & solar panel donations are welcome. Contact Dr. Lehman Marks, Solar Car Challenge Foundation, LehmanM743@aol.com.
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National, State & Local
Clean Energy Headlines
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Solar Permits Issued Through April 2024
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 December 2024.
Ohm offers free base access, as well as paid growth access with expanded geographic, competitor-level detail and reporting coverage. This growth access can also be obtained at no cost with participation in Ohm's data partnership program. You can learn more about the initiative here.
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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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About TXSES: A membership-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization for nearly 50 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, provides fact-based, relevant solar information to all Texans. www.txses.org | | | | |
