The North Texas Renewable Energy Group ("NTREG") is the North Texas Chapter of the Texas Solar Energy Society ("TXSES"). NTREG is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt organization.
NTREG was established in 2001 with the primary goal of educating North Texans about the benefits of renewable energy. NTREG is an all-volunteer organization. It encourages (but does not require) its members to take part in and become members of TXSES and the American Solar Energy Society. NTREG meets the second Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.
Additional areas of interest include electric vehicles and alternative transportation, biofuels, as well as all aspects of energy efficiency and energy conservation, both residential and commercial.
NTREG serves the entire North Texas area comprised of 10 counties, notably Dallas and Tarrant Counties, but also Denton, Wise, Collin, Parker, Hood, Johnson, Ellis and Kaufman counties.
NTREG's signature event was the DFW Solar Tour ("the Tour"). NTREG sponsored and carried out the Tour for 13 consecutive years since 2009. It had become the 3rd largest in the nation and the largest in the State of Texas. The Tour was open to the public at no charge. It showcased residences and businesses with photovoltaic solar energy systems. NTREG had expanded the Tour to include learning centers around the DFW area to provide basic information about renewable energy and sustainability. The Tour previously included learning centers at the Martin Luther King recreation center in South Dallas and at the Cedar Hill City Hall.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 the Tour went virtual. To do so, NTREG upgraded the DFW Solar Tour website and added a YouTube Channel to showcase residential and business host sites. Videos, both narrated and participatory, were uploaded to the YouTube Channel before the Tour day, October 3, 2020. There were also public Q & A sessions on the Tour day via ZOOM for the general public to pose questions to the hosts of each of the sites showcased. In 2021 the Tour was again virtual due to rising COVID-19 infections. In 2022 it returned to an in-person format. Due to declining attendance, the Solar Tour will be postponed until 2024 as new storage and vehicle technologies mature in hopes of drawing a larger audience.
In 2021 and 2022, NTREG worked with TXSES to find interns to work locally for a semester in the solar industry. Hiring women and people of color was a goal of these internships.
NTREG is also a supporter of the Solar Car Challenge. NTREG donates funds as well as the time and talents of its members as advisors to local area solar car teams, as chaperones and as judges.
The North Texas Renewable Energy Group, Inc. ("NTREG") is dedicated to furthering the development of renewable energy sciences and technologies with concern for the ecological, social and economic fabric of our community and state. NTREG is dedicated to the education of citizens on the value of solar and other renewable energy sources for their homes, businesses, and communities. NTREG promotes renewable energy through the exchange of ideas and information at meetings, discussion groups and public and private events.
NTREG has three activities which it is seeking to support in 2023.
First, NTREG wants to fund its monthly operations now that in-person activities have resumed as the COVID-19 restrictions and safety concerns have eased. NTREG is holding in-person meetings at the Dallas College North Lake Campus with a virtual connection included. This allows NTREG to reach a wider audience and access a wider speaker base.
Second, in recent years, NTREG has reached out to the lower economic areas of the DFW Metroplex to bring both science, energy efficiency and the renewable energy revolution to those vulnerable populations. In 2019, NTREG used funds it raised for the purchase of raw materials for approximately 8 Solar Lunchboxes (a small solar powered charger with energy storage). As part of the DFW Solar Tour that year, NTREG held a Solar Lunchbox Workshop. NTREG has a video of a similar workshop that is on the NTREG website (NTREG.org). Thereafter, NTREG hopes to use the video to hold workshops in schools in the lower income areas of the DFW Metroplex to teach young people (ages 10-16) how to build their own Solar Lunchbox. Not only does a project like this enhance interest in science and give the young people something tangible to take home, the Solar Lunchbox is extremely handy when the power goes down. Those with Solar Lunchboxes are able to keep their cell phones and other small electronics charged during power outages due to storms.
Third, NTREG wants to distribute LED light bulbs to households in low income neighborhoods. The bulbs will reduce the energy costs for the recipients. The bulbs will either be purchased with NTREG funds or donated by outside groups.
NTREG Bylaws, Article III - Membership:
Section B: NTREG does not and will not discriminate against any individual desiring to be an NTREG member, NTREG Board Member, or attend an NTREG meeting, in regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, or legal source of income.
Organization name
North Texas Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
Causes
Environment & Conservation, Education - STEM
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Tarrant
BIPOC Leadership
Neither/None
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
1810 Centenary Drive