Texas is known for doing things big, from the world’s largest killer bee and armadillo sculptures to the world’s largest water coasters, including the most energy generated by wind power in the US. Now, it’s building up in solar, which is expected to be the fastest-growing contributor to Texas’ power grid in the next three years.
Currently, solar provides only 2.2% of energy to the power grid in Texas. However, the state’s grid manager, ERCOT (the Electric Reliability Council of Texas), claims that this year solar developers are planning to add 3.5GW of capacity from utility-scale solar projects and 5.5GW in 2021. To put things into perspective, one G.W. can power up to 700,000 homes. ERCOT represents up to 90% of Texas’ electric load. The majority of the planned solar projects are anticipated to come online before the summer of 2021. To form an LLC in Texas, you will need to file the Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State and pay the filing fee. You will also need to create an Operating Agreement, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of the LLC members.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that in 2018, Texas leads the country in wind-powered electricity generation, producing over a quarter of all US wind energy. The state also generated nearly one-fifth of the total US utility-scale electricity produced from all non-hydroelectric renewable sources in 2018.
The EIA points out that the intense sun power in western Texas gives the state significant solar power potential. It only makes sense that they start utilizing that potential so it doesn’t go to waste.
According to an Everything Lubbock report, the Solar Energy Industries Association confirmed that in 2019 over 3,000 megawatts of solar energy were installed, which is enough energy to power more than 400,000 homes. Texas has 750 solar companies, which breaks down to 120 manufacturers and 307 developers/ installers, resulting in 9,600 jobs. That’s a lot of jobs!
In 2019, Texas used more green energy than coal, according to Electrek. The state sourced 20.3% of its electricity from coal and 21.5% from green sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. However, the Dallas Observer indicated that 47.3% of its energy came from fossil-fuel natural gas. Texas is previously better known for its oil, but now it’s becoming known for its renewable energy. Hopefully, Texas sets an example for all the states to follow.
