About TXSES

Texas Solar Energy Society is a non-profit organization with a long history of solar and renewable energy outreach and education. Founded in 1976, we have been serving Texas for more than 30 years.

 

We have a national reputation for our most high profile projects. The three-day Renewable Energy Roundup and Sustainable Living Fair in Fredericksburg, September 24-26, 2010 celebrates its 11th year and is the largest sustainability event in the South. On June 6, 2010, TXSES co-produced the 14th Annual Austin Cool House Tour with Austin Energy Green Building.

 

As a chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES has been around since 1954), we in turn have chapters in Houston, North Texas, El Paso, Austin and San Antonio. They are active in their own communities with educational outreach programs at civic and trade events. Houston, San Antonio and North Texas will participate in the ASES Solar Tour, October 2.

 

Previous endeavors include a partnership with Austin Energy on a DOE/Solar America Cities grant to write solar curriculum for the Austin Indepenent School District. The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) and TXSES have worked to create renewable energy lesson plans for all grade levels, which are available at  The Infinite Power of Texas. 

 

Our membership and fundraisers allow us to grant funds to organizations like 1House At A Time, a program to bring energy efficiency to low income homeowners, Austin Access to Learning, which among other opportunities provides solar car kits to high school science students, and Shelter with Spirit, a non-profit bringing green building techonologies to low income Central Texas homeowners.

 

In 2010 TXSES and HREG provided a grant to the Green for Sunnyside Solar Dog House Project in Houston. 8th-12th grade students designed, reclaimed construction materials, built, installed and wired solar arrays and then sold these dog houses lit by the sun and cooled by solar fans.

This spring, TXSES awarded $1,000 to El Paso high school students in the International Baccalaureate Program who are working in conjunction with our EPSEA chapter to promote
understanding and adoption of solar energy in the city.

TXSES will shortly announce the award of a $1,500 scholarship to a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin. The award, for work in the field of renewable energy, honors TXSES founding member and UT Professor Emeritus Dr. Gary Vliet.

In late 2009, TXSES granted $1,000 to the Starcher/Nelson Renewable Energy Scholarship at West Texas A & M University. The scholarship program was created by TXSES founding members and WTAMU/Alternative Energy Institute educators Ken Stracher and Dr.Vaughn Nelson.

Our mission is renewable energy education and outreach. We continue to seek organizations to partner with and projects to fund that will help spread the message of renewable resources and conservation. Please join us in our mission to spread the good word of sustainability and become a member of the Texas Solar Energy Society.

 

        OFFICERS

        John Gardner, Chair   

        Fred Yebra, Vice Chair

        Kelley Wright, Secretary

        Christine Chandler, Treasurer

   

        CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES

        Jim Hudson, Houston Renewable Energy Group

        Harry Schulte, El Paso Solar Energy Association

        Garland Scott, Solar San Antonio

        Mike Renner, North Texas Renewable Energy Group

        Audrey Thompson, Solar Austin

 

        AT LARGE MEMBERS

        Richard Amato         

        Michael Albrecht

        Ti Mougne

        Leslie Shaffer

        Neal Turley