Solar Power in Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas!
So, why hasn’t the Lone Star State taken better advantage of the ample sunshine that warms its sunny skies?
Among Southern States, Texas is far from being a leader in solar development, but now solar power is going big in Texas!
With new legislation proposed in House Bill 2961, called the Solar Generation Incentive Program, solar rebates for rooftop solar panels and commercial solar installations will help property owners afford solar power and make the change from coal and gas.
The state funding under consideration would help about 50,000 homeowners and 1,000 businesses install solar panels this year alone!
The new solar legislation should really jump-start the renewable energy industry in Texas. According to the Star-Telegram, the following people are eligible for rebates: electric customers, qualified solar installers, remodelers, home builders, and third-party owners of solar generator systems. The incentives are in addition to federal tax credits up to 30% for solar.
The Solar Generation Incentive Program in Texas would provide:
- $2 per watt for distributed solar systems of 10 kilowatts (kW) or less at your home or business
- $1.40 per watt for installed solar of 10 to 2,000 kW
- $1 per watt for installed wholesale solar generation
In addition to helping residents make the switch to solar energy, the new program would also create a number of green solar jobs in the state. Steve Wiese, President of Texas REIA, observes:
”If we can develop solar energy in this state, we potentially can develop a manufacturing base that can employ people producing these [solar] products for out-of-state as well as in-state.”
Talk about big, positive changes for the State of Texas!
Tags: residential solar, solar energy, solar generation incentive program, solar incentives, solar installations, Solar Panels, solar power, solar power texas, texas solar power
