Texas might be one of the top wind energy producers in the country, but it is lagging behind in solar power production. Wind energy can trace its success to a 1999 state law that stated Texas’ renewable energy goals. This has paved the way for million-dollar wind turbine projects across the state. It has also opened up thousands of job opportunities in the industry.
People are now calling for new legislation so that solar power industry will be as successful in Texas as the wind industry is. As of this moment, there are no state incentives available for individuals who want to install solar panels on their homes and businesses. Incentives can make solar power more attractive. They can also boost the local solar industry by giving installers and panel manufacturers more jobs. One advantage Texas have over other states is that the largest manufacturers of polysilicon, which is used for semiconductor chips, is based in Pasadena, on the Houston Ship Channel.
There’s a bill in legislation that would give $500 million in rebates, for the next five years, to homeowners and businesses who install solar panels on their properties. The downside of this is that the electric bills will be raised to fund the rebates. Residential customers will be charged 20 cents, small businesses $2.00, and the industries $20.
The bill will also require retail electric companies to purchase the customer’s excess solar electricity at a fair rate, or that the customer will be credited for it in his monthly bill. The bill also provides incentives for commercial-scale solar installations. The bill is still up for debates and the solar industry feels that if it doesn’t made into law this year, other states that offer solar incentives will be developing solar business first and Texas will be left behind.
According to Houston-based Standard Renewable Energy, installing a solar system on a 2,100 square foot residential structure will cost $25,000. Federal incentives will take $7,650 off the price. Austin and Dallas residents are lucky. Austin gives a $13,500 incentive, while Dallas offers $7,900.
When a statewide incentive is implemented, a residential solar system will be $10,000 cheaper in all of Texas. And when that happens, expect a significant increase in the number of solar panels installed in the state. Rebates on commercial-scale solar installations will encourage investment in the industry.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Here is a useful link of states that offer incentives for renewable power http://www.dsireusa.org/
I think once the price of solar power comes down to where most of the general public can afford it, you will see many more people switching to this and other alternative forms of energy.