Solar array in Austin^[1]

Solar power in Texas, along with wind has the potential for Texas remaining an energy exporting state for as long as people live on the planet. Texas has the largest solar potential and the largest wind potential in the country.^[2][3] The state has natural gas and oil resources, but those will be depleted within this century.^[4]

Texas is in a separate electrical grid from the rest of the country, but there is a proposal to connect ERCOT to the Eastern Grid and the Western Grid through the Tres Amigas SuperStation, located near Clovis, New Mexico, to allow up to 30,000 MW to be transferred.

Solar farms [edit]

The largest solar farm in Texas is the 35 MW Webberville Solar Farm, near Austin, which began operation in December, 2011.^[5] The second largest is the 16.6 MW^[6] Blue Wing Solar farm, at the intersection of I37 and US 181, southeast of San Antonio, which began operation in November, 2010.^[7]

Statistics [edit]

Average solar insolation

Potential generation [edit]

Covering half of the roof with 10% efficient photovoltaics is sufficient to generate all of the electricity used by an average family in Texas. Solar farms are more cost effective in West Texas, where insolation levels are greater.^[8] The US uses about 100 quads of energy each year.^[9] This number is expected to be reduced by 50% by 2050, due to efficiency increases.^[10] Texas has the potential to generate 22,786,750 million kWh/year, more than any other state, from 7,743,000 MW of concentrated solar power plants, using 34% of Texas.^[11]

Texas electricity consumption in 2005 was 334,258 million kWh, more than any other state, and 9.1% of the US total.^[12]

Installed capacity [edit]

See also [edit]

• Renewable energy
• Solar power

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Solar power in Texas

• Texas Solar Energy Society