BCGR - Push For Solar Power In Texas
By: Chris Whited, KRBC News
Updated: March 31, 2009
Wind power is the dominate renewable energy the state produces but environmentalists and lawmakers are looking to shed some light on solar energy for the states future. At the moment, Texas only generates about 6-megawatts of solar energy which the potential for even more.
State Senator Troy Frasier, who represents Abilene and Brownwood has proposed a bill in the senate to create a rebate program for those who install solar on their homes and businesses. Two other lawmakers from the Dallas-Fort Worth area have introduced bills to would require the state's electric utilities to support the development of solar technologies by offering direct incentives to consumers and businesses. There are at least eighteen bills already filed to support the development of solar technologies, by legislators in both chambers.
Stephen Grace with Environment Texas told KRBC News "West Texas and
going into the other southwestern states have the highest amount of
solar radiation in the country and the most potential for solar power
anywhere. Grace went on to say that there's tons of sun out here and you have the wind right at your doorstep that is being harnessed. You can harness them together even more effectively than you can harness them separately. So we have potential opportunity here in Abilene to generate solar that will help really offset several problems from electricity as common electricity prices." Environment Texas notes making the state a leader in the solar energy revolution can bring good jobs and more clean power Texas. Solar technology is a large part of Environment Texas' campaign to repower the state.
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