Dear Texas Members and Friends,
We are in the midst of another busy hot summer. The Cool House Tour was just completed and it was fantastic.The Renewable Energy Roundup is coming to Fredericksburg in late September. Both of these events act as fundraisers for TXSES as well as opportunities to get the word out on renewables.
The Austin Cool House Tour June 6, TXSES’s primary fundraiser, was a great success. Highlighting 12 outstanding examples of energy efficient design and building technology, this year’s Tour also featured seven homes with solar PV, three homes with solar thermal, a home with residential wind, two with smart grid panels, a net zero energy home (with an electric car!), a net zero capable community and for the first time, several examples of large rainwater collection in an urban setting. This was the 14th year TXSES has partnered with Austin Energy Green Building for this popular tour that draws visitors from around the state. Thanks you to all the hard working folks, particularly Natalie Marquis and Lucy Stolzenburg, for making the tour such a grand event.
This year is very important to the State of Texas as we look to pass legislation favorable to solar energy. We have done very well with wind for many years and it is time to carve out a spot for solar. Our friends at TREIA are working overtime getting ready for the next session. Please support their efforts where you can. It is vital that you write and/or call your elected state representative and senator to let them know you support the expanded growth of renewables in Texas.
As many of you have already heard, Natalie is passing the torch as Executive Director. I want to personally thank her for all she has done for TXSES and all the help and assistance she has afforded me in my term. We have done magnificent things in Natalie’s three short years as ED and now we need a passionate leader to guide us forward. We are looking to fill the position by August 15
Thanks for being a member and friend of the Texas Solar Energy Society and have a sunny summer.
Regards,
John Gardner/ TXSES Board Chair