Renewables, solar take center stage at Energy Expo

By Connie Juarez

Randy Humphrey of Elgin, a Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative member, installed solar panels on a shed at his home last year. The system is capable of generating 11.89 kW of electricity. He wanted to lower his electricity costs and was pleased with the results.

He wanted to share his experience and offer some advice. “Do your research. Know that it still costs you money, but you can control your costs of electricity now and in the future,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey was at the cooperative’s Energy Expo event Oct. 19 to talk to guests. He was joined by Charles Brading and Jeffery Geuea, both Bluebonnet members from Bastrop, who spoke to others about having solar panel systems installed at their homes, the benefits and potential challenges. 

Nearly 60 Bluebonnet members and guests — all ready to learn about the latest in residential solar systems, battery energy storage and electric vehicles — attended the event at the cooperative’s headquarters in Bastrop. It was the ninth time the cooperative has hosted the event.

Speakers, information sessions, displays and Bluebonnet employees provided information about renewable energy systems and answered attendees’ questions. 

Members Diana and Loren McGuire, who plan to move from Austin and build a home in Caldwell County, attended the Energy Expo to gain insight into adding a solar system into the early stages of home construction. “We didn't know much about solar energy at Bluebonnet and wanted to understand it better,” Diana McGuire said. 

Her biggest takeaway was how to get an accurate comparison when considering different installer proposals, she said.   

The program began with presentations by representatives of the Texas Solar Energy Society on the fundamentals of home solar energy systems. The society also hosted solar and battery-system vendors to answer visitors’ questions on site. The Texas Solar Energy Society is a statewide nonprofit organization committed to advancing solar energy in Texas. 

Throughout the three-hour event, Bluebonnet employees explained the specifics of connecting energy systems, ways to monitor electricity consumption and how to track excess power generated by a solar system that is returned to the electric grid.

Currently, about 3,500 Bluebonnet members use solar energy systems — approximately 15% more than last year. “This really shows how much interest there is in alternative energy in the area,” said Bluebonnet member service supervisor Erica Contreras, who helped plan the event. 

“We were really pleased with the turnout,” she said. “It was great to see so many of our members engaged and excited about renewable energy.”