The weather said “Not today” to the SpaceX launch on May 27, but the mission is rescheduling Demo-2 to launch May 30, from the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

Did you know SpaceX operates from four different locations? Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex and Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex both located in Florida, Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and South Texas Launch Site in Texas (approximately 22 miles was of Brownsville).

SpaceX is owned by Elon Musk, whose mission on the SpaceX website states, “You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great – and that’s what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It’s about believing in the future and thinking that the future will be better than in the past. And I can’t think of anything more exciting than going out there and being among the stars.” Musk founded SpaceX in 2002. 

So, why are we telling you about SpaceX? 

On April 10, 2020, South Texas Solar Systems, a Tesla Energy affiliated sub-contractor finalized the expansion of a 149kW photovoltaic (PV) ground mount for SpaceX at the South Texas Launch Site. “The system serves as an addition to an existing 450kW PV ground mount. The output from both systems is used to power the SpaceX facility in this area,” said South Texas Solar Systems Commercial Project Manager, Daniel Hudson. 

The finalized expansion of the commercial solar panels included, 422 Trina 345 Watt solar modules, 1 SMA peak 125-kilowatt inverter, and Solarflex racking. 

The solar industry and Musk are aiming for the future and that means commercial solar panels can help us get there.

Once the SpaceX mission launches this month (hopefully), the thought of knowing what type of technology took place to get us there is extraordinary. 

The company STSS, has been installing commercial solar panels all throughout south Texas for more than 11 years. Solar panels for businesses continues to grow in popularity, due to the federal incentives and utility rebates (if any).

Solar Installations

How do you know you have hired good installers for solar panels? There can be a few ways to feel good about who is installing your solar panel system. Start by asking to see credentials. Next, if you are on-site as they arrive, take a look at their uniform and vehicle. 

Remember, this blog is called The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Things About Solar, but let’s face it there are also good, bad, and ugly uniforms for installers for solar panels. 

Consumers can feel more at ease with a uniformed worker working on top of their roofs. 

Then again, you usually won’t see the installers on the installation day, but there are other ways to know if you have good installers. Check to see if the installers cleaned up any mess in the work area. Trash and equipment should always be picked up and disposed of by the solar installers. This is important to know if you have good installers for solar panels. If installers did not pick up after themselves, you should report them to their supervisor or general manager. 

Another efficient way of knowing you have good installers for solar panels is by taking a look at the complete installation. A good solar installer is only as good as the way he leaves his work. A good installation will look clean, straight, and with no wires hanging out. 

Good installers for solar can also be noted by references with residential or commercial. Most solar installation companies will have a reference to confirm credibility or a portfolio of completed installs to view. 

There are many ways to scope out good solar installers for solar panels. 

Now you know there are good installers for solar panels available. 

Beware of the bad solar installers and the ugly solar installation uniforms

On Wednesday, December 3, the San Antonio State of the Market took place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Ballroom.

Over 100 attendees from different business industries came together to hear from keynote speaker Mayor Ron Nirenberg, along with two-panel discussions on Construction & Development and What You Need to Know About San Antonio Going into 2020. 

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg spoke of plans for public transportation, housing, and the likelihood of homelessness in the city. 

With the new year right around the corner, San Antonio in 2020 looks like it’s in for more construction. Question is, will San Antonio consumers be ready? 

The first set of panelists speakers included Managing Partner with GrayStreet, Kevin Covey; Managing Partner with McCombs Properties, Harry Adams; Kairoi CEO, Michael Lynd; Managing Partner with Cardinal MF, Steve Sanders; Denver Heights Owner, Ross Ormond; and Principle with Ryan, Trey Weaver (moderator). 

The panel focused on Construction & Development. Ormond mentioned upcoming development on the east side for San Antonio in 2020. Talk of the Pearl area was Corey, who mentioned, “1.2 million sqft. of hospitality and retail” is also too come to San Antonio in 2020. Sanders shares the new demand in apartment living is one-bedrooms and mobility. “Apartments have changed a lot. Mobility over equity build,” said Sanders.

Then the panel was asked, “How do you see plans in developments where the developers are building their solar systems integrated and reselling that power to their tenants,” Sanders started his response with, “Let’s talk San Antonio specifically, you can’t do it.” 

While the new user is “green”, Sanders says, “If you don’t have it [solar] they [developers] will discount it and move on.” 

Cardinal Multifamily, Sanders says, “We do all of our projects now with solar at least for the common areas and the amenity spaces. We would’ve done the entire thing solar, but CPS wouldn’t let us do it.”

The second panel gave us an outlook on “Everything you need to know about San Antonio going into 2020.” The panelists included, Sonder General Manager, Robin Lozano; EVP of Business Development San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, Michele Boggs; Metropolitan Contracting Company CEO, Jane Feigenbaum; Founder of Foresite Real Estate, Bethany Babcock; CEO & President of Texas Research and Technology Foundation, Randy Harig; and VP/Project Development with Jacob White Construction, Shea Johnson (moderator). 

As the panel opened up about what to expect in San Antonio in 2020, Babcock, shared a fascinating statistic that more local restaurants will be popping up versus national restaurants.

But, as she mentioned, “Local tenants start struggling due to property taxes,” which is why she highlighted property taxes as an observation for 2020. Boggs’s also had an interesting observation for 2020.

Bogg’s said we would be, “seeing a shift of leadership” and “see the business community step up.” Another big key phrase that both panels touched on was the local environmental foundation we have, such as Build San Antonio Green.

San Antonio is already on the growth scale, but with plans to become a hub of growth, we need to develop skilled laborers for San Antonio in 2020.

Feigenbaum’s observation for San Antonio in 2020 is a growth path, “A lot of room for growth for 2020,” she said. 

San Antonio in 2020, is not only a year for growth in San Antonio but also a year for change with the 2020 election upon us.

San Antonio in 2020 is eager to break ground, and hopefully in a resourceful way.

Press Release

November 26, 2019

South Texas Solar Systems Inc.

Media Contact: Alexandra Velasquez

O: 210-829-5420

www.txsolarsystems.com

Panasonic recognizes South Texas Solar Systems as one of the highest-performing solar installers in 2019 

South Texas Solar Systems, Inc., based in San Antonio, TX is a Solar Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company. Recently, Panasonic announced the winners of its 2019 Customer Appreciation Awards, given to leading installers and distributors who demonstrate excellence in installing solar equipment, serving solar end-users and generating business success. Panasonic Premium and Authorized Installers have the opportunity to be recognized in four award categories across each region: Residential Installer of the Year, Commercial Installer of the Year, Fastest-Growing Company and Installer of the Year. 

South Texas Solar Systems received the 2019 Installer of the Year Award for the Southwest region. 

There are only four Panasonic Premium Installers in Texas. South Texas Solar Systems is one of them. 

“On behalf of Panasonic Life Solutions, I would like to acknowledge our award winners for being exceptional representatives of the Panasonic brand and upholding our high standard of excellence in the field,” said Mukesh Sethi, Group Manager, Panasonic Life Solutions. “Together with our installers and distributors, we will continue to drive the U.S. solar market forward with industry-leading panels and power storage solutions, backed by the best warranties in the business.”