Support growing for solar

A May report on solar thermal power by Environment Texas found that a network of solar thermal power plants covering 30 miles by 30 miles in west Texas could generate enough electricity to power the entire state.  In addition, solar panels on rooftops in Texas cities could generate a significant amount of energy while reducing global warming pollution.
 
“Solar power is ready for primetime,” said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas. “We should use our technological know-how to become a world solar leader, creating thousands of high-paying ‘green collar’ jobs and helping clean up our air.”

Several companies are already investing in solar power.

Using our solar potential

In June, San Antonio-based utility CPS Energy announced a goal of generating 100 megawatts of electricity from solar power by the year 2020. Austin Energy set a similar goal several years ago. Both utilities now offer rebates to allow individual homeowners and businesses to install solar panels on their rooftops. They are also both considering investing in a large- scale solar power plant.

According to the State Energy Office, Texas has some of the best solar potential in the nation. By tapping just a small fraction of the state’s solar potential, 10 percent of Texas’ energy needs could be met by solar by 2025.

Texas’ economy stands to gain tremendously from investments in solar power. From chemical companies on the Houston Ship Channel that produce solar-grade silicon, to Central Texas semiconductor manufacturers that produce photovoltaic panels, to rural farmers ready to lease their land to large-scale solar power plants, Texas already has a solid foundation to ride the solar wave.

Texas’ clean energy future

Environment Texas celebrated a key victory for solar and wind power in July with the approval by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to build $5 billion worth of new transmission lines to windy and sunny parts of the state. The lines will bring more than 18,000 megawatts of wind and solar power to our cities.

In the 2009 Legislature, Environment Texas will work to make sure plans for Texas’ energy future include solar power as a centerpiece, including incentives to make it easier for homes and businesses to install solar panels; goals for utilities to generate more solar electricity; and a prohibition on homeowners associations blocking solar installations.

In the coming months, Environment Texas will continue to push the governor and the Legislature to act on solar, including delivering petition signatures, recruiting business leaders to support our agenda and keeping the issue in the media. You can sign the ‘Go Solar’ petition by clicking the “Go Solar, Texas” link on our Web site.