Texas Solar Energy Society

What Texas Solar Energy Society does

Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational and advocacy organization with origins dating to 1976 and formal establishment in 1982, headquartered in Austin, Texas. It is the oldest solar nonprofit in Texas and the pre-eminent statewide organization developing free, independent, fact-based educational materials on solar energy, operating as the Texas state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). TXSES functions through a community-led model anchored by four regional chapters (NTREG in North Texas, HREG in Houston, Solar Austin, and others), serving three core constituencies: residential consumers seeking to adopt rooftop solar and battery storage, solar industry businesses (installers, manufacturers, developers), and state and local policymakers.

The organization's product portfolio centers on educational content and consumer-protection tooling rather than technology products. Core offerings include The Solar Report newsletter, a Find an Installer Map, Solar 101 educational resources, a Consumer Confidence program, a Job Board, and policy/position statements. TXSES also promotes the Department of Energy's SolarAPP+ automated permitting software to Texas municipalities to streamline residential solar permitting. Its workforce development arm, in partnership with Green Careers Texas, provides solar installation training for underserved high school students and low-income adults, funded by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office.

TXSES monetizes through tiered business memberships (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Basic) governed by a code of ethics that gives members visibility and credibility, plus individual and foundation donations, EarthShare of Texas workplace giving, Reliant EcoShare program contributions, and grants. The organization previously participated in the Texas Solar for All Coalition, which was awarded nearly $250 million by the U.S. EPA to deliver residential solar to over 46,000 low-income and disadvantaged households — a grant that was subsequently rescinded. With roughly 9 employees and recent board expansion including renewable energy developer Raina Hornaday, TXSES operates as a lean advocacy and education platform with measurable policy outcomes (SB 1202, SB 1697, SB 1036) but limited technology differentiation and no proprietary AI/data assets.

Name

Texas Solar Energy Society

Legal name

Texas Solar Energy Society

Website

https://txses.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976 and based in Austin, Texas, serving Texas consumers, solar industry businesses, and policymakers through independent solar education, consumer protection resources, a tiered business membership program, and state-level policy advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Energy Education and Advocacy

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS) (EUAMABAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Design, Engineering & Performance Software (PV Modeling, Digital Twins, Monitoring) (EUAMABAH), Community Solar Development & Subscription Management (EUAMAJAA)

Keywords

• Solar energy education
• Renewable energy advocacy
• Clean energy policy
• Workforce development training
• Nonprofit association services

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Business Memberships: TXSES offers tiered business membership programs (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Basic) that provide visibility, industry networking, and credibility through the organization's code of ethics. Members include solar installers, manufacturers, and developers.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations from individuals and foundations to support its mission of equitable solar energy access for all Texans.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Texas Solar Energy Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that educates consumers and policymakers about distributed solar energy in Texas through free resources (Solar 101, Consumer Confidence, Find an Installer Map), a tiered Business Membership program for solar installers and manufacturers, advocacy for favorable solar legislation, and workforce development programs including solar installation training. The organization operates 4 regional chapters and is the Texas state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society.

Product overview

Texas Solar Energy Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational and advocacy organization, not a product company. Its offerings consist of programs and services focused on solar energy education, industry support, and policy advocacy. The core portfolio includes The Solar Report newsletter, a Find an Installer Map tool, Solar 101 educational resources, Consumer Confidence materials, and a Business Membership Program with tiered levels (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Basic). TXSES also promotes SolarAPP+ automated permitting software adoption among municipalities, operates a Job Board for the solar industry, hosts local chapters across Texas, provides solar installation workforce training programs, and co-hosts the ASES Solar 2026 conference in Austin. The organization serves as the Texas state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and works to advance equitable solar energy access across Texas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Membership Program Tiered membership program (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Basic) for solar installers, manufacturers, and developers providing industry visibility, networking, advocacy representation, and consumer referral access through the TXSES installer directory. Members must sign a Business Member Code of Ethics to ensure consumer protection and ethical sales practices. Platinum members receive featured project spotlights in TXSES communications.
• Solar Installation Training Programs Workforce development programs providing solar installation training for underserved high school students and low-income adults, designed to build career pathways into the Texas solar industry. Delivered in partnership with Green Careers Texas and funded by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office.
• The Solar Report (Newsletter)

Quantifiable outcome

• TXSES helped pass SB 1202 streamlining solar permitting, SB 1036 requiring solar salesperson licensing, and SB 1697 requiring PUC best practices guide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EarthShare of TexascoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1992EarthShare of Texas is a 501(c)(3) foundation raising funds for environmental nonprofits through workplace payroll campaigns. TXSES is an honored EarthShare member charity receiving donations through workplace giving programs.
• American Solar Energy Society (ASES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTXSES is the Texas state chapter of ASES, the nation's leading association of solar professionals and advocates. ASES has been 'shining a light on the solution since 1954.' TXSES will co-host ASES Solar 2026 conference in Austin, October 19-21, 2026.
• Austin Energy Green BuildingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAEGB developed the first U.S. rating system for building sustainability in 1991. They supported TXSES's annual Cool House Tour and other sustainability projects in Austin.
• Reliant Energy EcoShare ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReliant Energy's EcoShare program adds a small monthly charge to electricity bills, with portions going to EarthShare of Texas and carbon offset purchases. EcoShare participants have helped raise over $1 million for local environmental groups including TXSES.
• Travis CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTXSES partnered with Travis County on the Austin pilot project 'New Pathways for Equitable Rooftop Solar in Texas' to install 10 small (3kW) solar systems for income-qualified homeowners.
• Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTXSES collaborates with TEPRI on equitable solar access initiatives including the Texas Solar for All Coalition and research on solar's value to the grid.
• Environment TexasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTXSES works with Environment Texas on policy advocacy and consumer protection initiatives at the state level.
• Solar United Neighbors TexasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTXSES collaborates with Solar United Neighbors Texas on consumer protection and advocacy efforts, including co-authoring op-eds on protecting consumers from unethical solar salespeople.
• Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTXSES partners with HARC on research and energy policy initiatives in Texas.
• Conservative Texans for Energy InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTXSES works with this organization on bipartisan solar advocacy and education efforts.
• Green Careers TexasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTXSES partners with Green Careers Texas to provide solar installation training for underserved high school students and low-income adults, funded by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office.
• Texas Legislature's Texas Energy & Climate CaucuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTXSES engages with the bipartisan Texas Energy & Climate Caucus to educate legislators on solar policy issues.
• SolarAPP FoundationcoreTechnology or IntegrationTXSES promotes SolarAPP+ (Department of Energy-created permitting software) to Texas municipalities to streamline solar permitting. TXSES is a Platinum Business Member and advocate for the technology.
• Community First! Village (Mobile Loaves & Fishes)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTXSES partnered with Austin Energy and Lighthouse Solar to bring solar to Community First! Village in Austin, providing free electricity to formerly unhoused neighbors (420+ with 1,900 planned).
• Frontier EnergyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTXSES partnered with Frontier Energy as part of the Travis County equitable solar pilot to provide technical expertise.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): National nonprofit focused on clean energy workforce training, credentialing, and best practices. Comparable to TXSES's workforce development programs and SolarAPP+ permitting advocacy work.
• Vote Solar: State-level solar advocacy nonprofit active in multiple states, focused on policy reform and equitable solar access. Highly comparable mission and operating model to TXSES's policy advocacy and equitable access programs.
• Environment Texas Research & Policy Center: State-level environmental advocacy nonprofit. TXSES works with Environment Texas on policy advocacy and consumer protection initiatives, making it a directly comparable peer in state-level environmental advocacy.
• Solar United Neighbors: National solar advocacy nonprofit that runs state programs including Solar United Neighbors Texas. TXSES collaborates with this peer on consumer protection and advocacy, including co-authoring op-eds on solar sales practices.
• Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI): Texas-based research and advocacy nonprofit focused on energy poverty. TXSES collaborates with TEPRI on the Texas Solar for All Coalition and equitable solar access research, making it a closely aligned peer.

Broad incumbents

• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): National solar industry trade association representing solar companies. SEIA is the industry's primary national voice and a broader incumbent in the same policy and market-development space as TXSES, though more industry-focused.
• American Solar Energy Society (ASES): National solar professional and advocacy association of which TXSES is the Texas state chapter. ASES has operated since 1954 and convenes the annual Solar conference that TXSES is co-hosting in 2026, making it the closest organizational peer.

Regional players

• California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA): State-level solar industry and advocacy association serving California. Operates in the same category as TXSES but in a different state with different policy dynamics, making it a strong regional peer for benchmarking.
• CleanTX: Texas-based clean energy industry and advocacy organization, represented on TXSES's board via Raina Hornaday. Operates in the same regional clean energy ecosystem with overlapping membership and advocacy goals.

Emerging players

• Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC): Florida's solar research and education organization affiliated with the University of Central Florida. Comparable as a state-level solar education and research entity, though more research-oriented than TXSES's advocacy focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TXSES
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@texassolarenergysociety2137
• Facebookfacebook.com/TexasSolarEnergySociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/txses
• Instagraminstagram.com/texassolarenergysociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Texas Solar Energy Society