Solar power in Texas

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File:Applied materials solar arrray1.jpg
Solar array in Austin[1]

Solar power in Texas, along with wind power, have the potential to allow Texas to remain an energy-exporting state. Texas has the largest solar and wind potential in the country.[2][3] The state has natural gas and oil resources, but their finite nature brings uncertainty as to how long they can be relied on.

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

The largest solar farm in Texas is the 95 MW(AC) Alamo 5 near San Antonio which came online in April 2016. Others include the 40 MW Alamo 4, which came online in September 2014; the 41 MW Alamo 1 solar farm, which came online in December 2013;[4] the 35 MW Webberville Solar Farm, near Austin, which began operation in December, 2011[5] and the 16.6 MW[6] Blue Wing Solar Project, at the intersection of I37 and US 181, southeast of San Antonio, which began operation in November, 2010.[7] Top solar contractors in Texas include Meridian Solar, Longhorn Solar, Axium Solar and Native.[8] The 60MW Pflugerville Solar Farm was proposed.

Statistics

Average solar insolation

Potential generation

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.[9] The US uses about 100 quads of energy each year.[10] This number is expected to be reduced by 50% by 2050, due to efficiency increases.[11] 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,[12] and 131,200 million kWh/year from 97,800 MW of rooftop photovoltaic panels, 34.6% of the electricity used in the state in 2013.[13]

Texas electricity consumption in 2010 was 358,458 million kWh, more than any other state, and 9.5% of the US total.[14]

Installed capacity

Texas Grid-Connected PV Capacity (MW)[15][16][17][18][19][20]
Year Capacity Change % Change
2007 3.2
2008 4.4 1.2 38%
2009 8.6 4.2 95%
2010 34.5 25.9 301%
2011 85.6 51.1 148%
2012 140.3 54.7 64%
2013 215.9 75.6 74%
2014 387 129 79%
2015 534 207 38%

See also

References

  1. ↑ Output data
  2. ↑ Texas Solar Energy
  3. ↑ Estimates of Windy Land Area and Wind Energy Potential, by State
  4. ↑ [1], OCI Solar Power
  5. ↑ City of Austin Activates Largest Texas Solar Farm
  6. ↑ FAQ
  7. ↑ Blue Wing Solar Farm
  8. ↑ Solar Power World
  9. ↑ Texas' renewable energy resources
  10. ↑ US Energy Consumption
  11. ↑ Makhijani, Arjun Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free, A Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy 2007 ISBN 978-1-57143-173-8
  12. ↑ Renewable Energy Technical Potential
  13. ↑ Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Technical Potential in the United States: A Detailed Assessment
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links

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