How the oil capital of the US welcomed a solar power boom

Mark Stover, enforcement manager of the Texas Solar and Storage Association, said, "On blistery afternoons, erstwhile request for powerfulness peaks, star is present regularly supplying astir a 3rd of the energy utilized crossed Texas." He explained that the solar boom stems from two primary factors. First, connecting solar farms to Texas' power grid is both inexpensive and rapid, a process made easier by the grid's separation from the rest of the United States. Second, the state's appetite for electricity continues to grow, fueled by a rising population. Between 2015 and 2025, Texas's colonisation increased by 15.8%, positioning it among the fastest‑growing states in the nation. Stover added, "We request a full batch of powerfulness successful Texas, and we request it quickly." James Scott, vice president of task improvement at OCI, noted that years of incremental manufacturing advances have driven down costs, making solar the cheapest way to generate power in the state. He remarked, "No 1 would person believed that 20 years ago." Regarding long‑term pricing, Scott stated, "We'll complaint you $40 a megawatt hr for the adjacent 25 years," and pointed out that large buyers such as Amazon and Apple value the ability to lock in a rate for that duration. By comparison, the Energy Information Administration estimates that new natural‑gas plants in the United States produce power at roughly $90 per megawatt‑hour. The expansion also relies heavily on agricultural land, as solar developers need extensive, flat parcels for their projects. Stover said the industry is now delivering multigenerational income to families through leases that typically run 25 to 30 years, with annual escalations that enable retirees to establish household trusts or simply maintain a stable livelihood. He contended that critics overstate solar's footprint, asserting, "The manufacture is utilizing little than 0.15% of Texas land." Read the full story at BBC News →