Solar Installations in Texas – Bright Spots in the Lone Star State

Regional residential solar growth is picking up across select regions in Texas

Florida may be known as the Sunshine State, but that moniker should perhaps have been reserved for Texas. The Lone Star State typically conjures up images of oil barons and drilling rigs, but petroleum is far from the state’s only natural resource. With its relatively dry climate and southern location, Texas is practically drenched in sunlight. When it comes to taking advantage of this abundant resource, however, the situation becomes decidedly murky.

A Solar Superstar in Potential

At nearly 270,000 square miles, Texas is the largest state in the contiguous United States. It also ranks among the most sun-soaked states, receiving more hours of direct sunlight on average than all but five other states. Considering much of Texas is also relatively flat, dry and lacking in dense vegetation, it should come as no surprise that the state holds extraordinary potential for solar power generation. In fact, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that Texas far outpaces every state except California in terms of the total potential for rooftop solar production.

However, that potential remains largely untapped. Like Florida – another state with tons of sunshine and tremendous capacity – Texas still hasn’t shown much commitment to maximizing its available solar resources. Adoption and investments have increased rapidly in recent years, yet the state still struggles to keep pace with smaller and less solar-capable states like New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

So, why isn’t Texas the solar energy standout it seems capable of becoming?

Roadblocks to Adoption

For all its sunshine and great weather, Texas still has oil in its blood. The petroleum industry has always had deep roots in the state, but America’s shale oil boom has made it more vital than ever. Massive shale deposits, including the famed Permian Basin, have cemented Texas’ status as the largest oil and natural gas producer in the United States. Texas is also the nation’s leading producer of lignite coal, which is a major fuel source for electricity production.

The net effect is a political and social climate that’s far friendlier toward fossil fuels than solar power. The state is one of the few in the country with a deregulated energy industry, which has driven down traditional electricity costs while preventing solar from gaining a real foothold. The state government and its regulatory commissions enforce few clean energy standards and have been resistant to adopting pro-solar policies that have been successful in other states. Furthermore, much of the focus on renewable energy in the state has revolved around a burgeoning wind energy industry.

Texas Solar Installations per Capita by County

While absolute installation numbers are interesting, per capita values are much more representative of the relative strength of solar in a region. However, in our per capita numbers, the regional differences switch around a good bit, with El Paso County becoming the Texas county with the highest per capita installation rate in Texas – followed by Travis, Guadalupe, and Bexar Counties.

The Future of Texas Solar

With so much energy potential, it’s clear that Texas is capable of becoming a national and global leader in solar power. Cities like Austin, San Antonio and El Paso have shown that both residents and their communities can benefit tremendously from Texas’ solar capacity given the right support. Unfortunately, gaining that support on anything other than a local level has proven to be a challenge.

For Texas to make the leap as a true solar superpower, there are several steps the state must take. The first is to introduce more policies and programs aimed at increasing accessibility. Currently, many Texas residents can only rely on the Federal Investment Tax Credit for savings. This generous credit slashes the cost of a system by 30 percent, but it’s scheduled to step down each year before ending for homeowners in 2022. Offering financial rebates and other incentives would significantly speed up adoption.

Joining 43 other states in instituting a statewide net metering policy would also be a key step. Electricity providers can create their own net metering policies, but not nearly enough have done so. Introducing a coherent policy at the state level would save Texas residents money and give them confidence that they’ll get the most out of their solar investments.

Finally, adopting aggressive renewable energy standards would be a powerful way to demonstrate that Texas is committed and ready to join the solar energy vanguard. It’s already the nation’s biggest wind energy producer, but that shouldn’t prevent serious investments in solar. In fact, research from Rice University indicates that solar and wind energy complement one another exceptionally well in Texas. They each have different peak regions and times, ensuring more consistent production across the state.

It remains to be seen whether America’s most oil-rich state can do what’s necessary to tap into its vast potential as a leader in green energy. What is clear is that solar power can be a great investment in Texas when it’s supported by local communities and utility providers. Residents in cities like Austin, El Paso and San Antonio have already taken advantage of local policies and incentives in rapidly growing numbers. With solar becoming increasingly attractive for many homeowners, that trend may be just the beginning.