Texas is abundant in natural resources, and its vast oil reserves have made it a leader in energy production. But it’s also increasingly becoming a major player in green energy technologies. So which type of green energy is most utilized in the Lone Star State? Let’s explore the answer to this question and discover what Texas has to offer when it comes to renewable energy sources!
Green energy has become increasingly popular in the United States due to its cost-effectiveness and sustainability. It is renewable, carbon-neutral, clean, and broadly available. In the state of Texas, green energy plays an especially important role due to its abundance of natural resources. Many Texans are turning to green energy providers in order to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their monthly energy bills; green energy provider Gexa in Texas offers competitive green energy rates. Wind energy and solar energy are both utilized in the Lone Star state.
Solar Energy
In Texas, solar energy is the most prevalent form of green energy in use today. In 2018, the electricity generated from solar increased by 52%, and Texas ranked seventh in the nation for megawatts of power produced from photovoltaic installations. Solar also provides significant economic benefit to certain areas within the state.
The Lone Star State has passed various incentives and policies that have made it easier for Texans to invest in renewable sources — this has resulted in increased consumer commitment towards the adoption of sustainable solutions and has created jobs tied to growth within the industry. Currently, investments are being made statewide to develop utility-scale projects, residential systems, and community-level projects as well.
In addition to its environmental benefits, solar energy also provides economic advantages by reducing energy costs and creating job opportunities in local communities across the state. As part of an overall effort for improved renewable solutions throughout Texas, net metering laws were revised earlier this year so that customers are now credited at higher amounts for excess electricity sent back into their utility grids — this makes it easier for homeowners and businesses alike who want to reap some of these cost-savings benefits via clean energy sources like solar power.
Wind Energy
Wind energy is one of the most popular forms of green energy used in Texas. According to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Texas is the state with the most wind power capacity in the United States, followed closely by Iowa and California. As of 2019, over 20% of all electricity generated within Texas comes from wind resources.
In addition to wind energy, other green energies are also utilized in order to support sustainable energy sources. Solar energy is recommended for direct sunlight intensity areas and hydroelectricity may be used for areas with rivers or streams. Biomass is often an alternative source for rural locations that may use agricultural byproducts as fuel for electricity. These alternative energies supplement traditional sources of power such as coal, oil and natural gas to create a more diversified approach towards reducing emissions and promoting clean air goals across the state of Texas.
Conclusion
Overall, Texas has done an excellent job of implementing various green energy sources and working to reduce its carbon footprint. The state currently uses wind as its primary source of renewable energy, providing over 20% of the state’s energy supply from this clean, renewable source. Solar power is beginning to make a larger impact on the overall energy market in Texas, although it still only makes up for about 9% of total electricity generation. Other green energies are also starting to become more popular, such as geothermal, biomass, and hydroelectricity. Additionally, Texas has put into place a number of financial incentives to encourage residential renewable installations and research into additional green sources. With all these efforts in place and continuing progress in green technologies and implementation initiatives, it’s clear that Texas is making strides towards becoming an even stronger leader in green energy across the US.
