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 years.

 

We have a national reputation for our most high profile projects. For 11 years we produced the Renewable Energy Roundup and Sustainable Living Fair in Fredericksburg. On June 3, 2012,  TXSES co-produced the 16th Annual Austin Cool House Tour [1]with Austin Energy Green Building. [2]

 

As a chapter of the American Solar Energy Society [3] (ASES has been around since 1954), we in turn have chapters [4]in Houston, North Texas, Austin, and San Antonio, who meet to educate citizens on the use of solar and renewable resources. They are active in their own communities and provide educational outreach programs at civic and trade events. The Houston, San Antonio, North Texas chapters, as well as the Hill Country Solar Tour, are looking forward to the 2012 ASES National Solar Tour, [5] in October.

 

As of November 2011, we extended our partnership with Austin Energy on a DOE/Solar America Cities grant with a curriculum writing contest for teachers in the five school districts served by AE. The Texas State Energy Conservation Office [6](SECO) and TXSES have worked to create renewable energy lesson plans for all grade levels, which are available at  The Infinite Power of Texas. [7]

 

 

Our membership and fundraisers in 2011 have allowed us to make grants to organizations like 1House At A Time [8], a program to bring energy efficiency to low income homeowners, Austin Access to Learning [9], which among other opportunities provides solar car kits to high school science students, and Shelter with Spirit [10], a non-profit bringing green building technologies to low income Central Texas homeowners. TXSES sent 48 Nokero [11] solar light bulbs to the Red Cross in Huntsville, AL after the devastating tornadoes hit in April of this year. We are ongoing sponsors of the Solar Car Challenge [12]in Fort Worth, as well as  Spring Into Green [13], Lubbock's annual sustainable living fair.

 

In 2010 TXSES awarded a grant to the Bonham High School's Ag Mechanics Department, [14] where students are in their third year of converting gas burning school district vehicles to electric. We also funded a grant to the Green for Sunnyside Solar Dog House Project [15]in Houston. The 8th-12th grade students reclaimed construction materials, designed, built, installed and wired solar arrays and then sold the dog houses lit by the sun and cooled by solar fans. A grant was awarded to  El Paso high school students in the International Baccalaureate Program who were working in conjunction with our EPSEA chapter to promote understanding and adoption of solar energy in that city. In August, TXSES awarded a scholarship to UT Engineering senior Stephanie Matyas. [16] The award, for work in the field of renewable energy, honored TXSES founding member and UT Professor Emeritus Dr. Gary Vliet. As in 2011, we provided grants to 1House at a Time, Shelter with Spirit and Access to Learning in Austin.  TXSES has also supported 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 [17] educators Ken Stracher and Dr.Vaughn Nelson.

 

Our mission is renewable energy education and outreach. We continue to seek organizations to partner with to spread the message of renewable resources and conservation. Please JOIN US [18] in our mission to spread the good word of sustainability and become a member of the Texas Solar Energy Society.

 

        OFFICERS

        Chris Boyer (Grand Prairie) Chairman

        Scot Arey  (Harker Heights) Vice- Chairman

        Ross Pumfrey (Austin)  Secretary

        Jessica Galloway (Austin) Treasurer

 

        AT LARGE

 

        CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES

        Mike Ewert - Houston Renewable Energy Group (HREG)

        Mike Renner - North Texas Renewable Energy Group (NTREG)

        Matt Weldon - Solar Austin 

        Garland Scott - Solar San Antonio  

     

        STAFF      

        Lucy Stolzenburg-  Executive Director