Despite its abundance of sunshine and vast open spaces Texas has been slower than many other states, notably California and Arizona to actively promote solar power as the clean green power of the future. Indeed, solar has traditionally wallowed behind gas and wind power in the renewable energy stakes. But this is changing and solar power is at last going to have its day in the sun. The Electric reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) predicts that Texas’ solar power production will grow to at least 13 GW by the year 2030—that’s 50 times more than current levels and would contribute around 7% of total energy production[1]. And these estimates are conservative. As the material costs of solar drop solar energy production increases and the benefits are eventually passed on to the consumers. For example, Austin Energy is buying electricity produced from solar at 4 cents per kW compared to 5 cents per kW just 12 months previously and projections predict these prices will continue to fall. The result for consumers is cheaper electricity. But it isn’t just the commercial sector that are seeing solar as the new pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. All the new houses (more than 300) in the Colorado Crossing housing development in Southeast Austin will be solar powered. This project ties in with Austin city council’s efforts to meet its target of 55% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2025. But of course, the reduction in the cost of solar power production is not just good news for Councils and Utilities. In fact, solar power is clearly coming into the mainstream consciousness as a valid and realistic energy option for the average homeowner. Prices for solar panels have dropped 80% since 2009 and as a consequence solar installations grew by nearly 50% last year alone according to ERCOT. The time is right; make the most of the substantial tax rebates, and the low cost of solar panels and talk to 1Solar Solution today. [1] http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/texas-grid-operator-predicts-50-fold-increase-in-solar-by-2030_100021587/#ixzz3qArI4juP
