GUEST COMMENTARY ENTARY PATRICE “PETE” PARSONS
TEXAS SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY
Every morning, the solution rises over Texas.
Yet too many Texans, especially low-and moderate-income families, cannot access the cost savings, resilience and economic opportunity that solar energy provides.
At the same time, communities across our state are facing increasing grid instability, severe weather disruptions and rising energy burdens.
We believe the energy transition must work for everyone — not just those who can afford it. In recent years, we have intensified our focus on equitable access, ensuring that the benefits of solar reach the Texans who need them most.
In 2026, we are building on that momentum with a clear strategy: to demonstrate measurable impact, remove systemic barriers and equip communities to lead their own resilience solutions.
This is not simply about solar panels. It is about lowering energy bills for vulnerable families, strengthening critical infrastructure, and ensuring no Texas community is left behind.
Demonstrate measurable savings for low-income families.
In partnership with Travis County and the state of Texas, TXSES will complete a 10-home rooftop solar pilot serving low-income homeowners. Each participating household will receive: A 3-kW rooftop solar installation at no cost; installation funded through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP); and six months of energy performance monitoring by Austin Energy.
This pilot project will generate real data on energy usage reductions, bill savings and system performance. Following evaluation, we will develop a standardized statewide protocol for Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) subawardees — local governments and nonprofits that administer LIHEAP and WAP funds — to replicate solar integration across Texas.
Creating transparency with a standardized value of solar framework.
Texas currently lacks a consistent methodology for calculating the true cost and value of distributed solar. That gap creates confusion for consumers and policymakers alike. In 2026, TXSES will: Advocate for an independent study led by the Public Utility Commission of Texas; develop a replicable Value of Solar (VOS) methodology; and pursue legislative adoption requiring annual utility reporting.
A standardized VOS framework will increase transparency, improve grid planning, inform sound policymaking, and provide consumers with clearer information.
Removing interconnection barriers.
Today, small residential solar and storage systems are often processed in the same queue as large utility-scale projects, causing unnecessary delays and higher costs for homeowners.
TXSES is working with the Public Utility Commission to establish a streamlined interconnection rule specifically for small-scale systems.
This reform will shorten timelines, lower soft costs, improve grid efficiency and accelerate adoption.
Expand affordable solar leasing in municipal territories.
In many municipally owned utility territories, leasing options are limited, restricting access to affordable financing.
TXSES is collaborating with Austin Energy to create compliant leasing pathways that expand consumer options while respecting existing legal frameworks. Once established, this model can be replicated across other Texas municipal utilities.
Community-level resilience.
While state-level policy reform is essential, meaningful transformation often happens locally.
As large-load users and hyperscalers expand across Texas, communities have new leverage to secure clean energy investments. TXSES will ensure local leaders have the tools to seize that opportunity.
Three replicable community resilience pilots.
TXSES will oversee three pilots in three separate communities demonstrating community solar prioritizing LMI households, solar and storage installations at critical facilities such as hospitals, senior centers, fire departments, and schools, and the establishment of a community Resilience Hub providing backup power during outages.
Each pilot will produce implementation guides, partnership templates, financing frameworks, and replicable models for statewide adoption.
The challenges facing Texas are real — rising energy costs, grid instability and increasingly severe weather. But so is the opportunity.
The sun rises every day over our state. In 2026, TXSES will work to ensure its benefits rise with it, reaching families who need relief, communities seeking resilience, and a Texas energy system ready for the future.
Thank you for standing with us in this work.
Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons is executive director for the Texas Solar Energy Society.
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