Solar energy grows 22% in Houston in 2014

Environment Texas

AUSTIN – Houston experienced significant growth in solar energy installations in 2014, growing from approximately 4 megawatts (MW) in 2013 to 5 MW by the end of 2014, an increase of 22%.

“Cities can be big stars in our transition to clean energy,” said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas. “We know that Houston has the potential to be among them.”

Solar power is on the rise across the country, with another project installed every three minutes last year. Plummeting costs, increasing public concern over global warming and energy independence, and technological innovation have all played a role in spurring the growth of the pollution-free energy source. Texas electric grid operator ERCOT projects that under a business-as-usual scenario, more than 10,000 MW of solar will be installed in Texas by 2029. An estimated 6595 Texans currently work in the solar industry.

In 2014, the mayors of three of the nation’s largest cities – Los Angeles, Houston and Philadelphia – launched the “Mayors’ National Climate Action Agenda.” The initiative acknowledges that cities are responsible for a large part of greenhouse gas emissions, and is based on the idea that, as leaders of cities, “mayors are uniquely compelled and equipped to lead on the fight to stem climate change, as well as to adapt to it and prepare for the impacts of global warming.” A major component of this initiative is sourcing more energy from renewable sources like solar energy. Houston’s municipal government already generates 50 percent of its electricity from wind and solar energy. The City expects to source even more of its energy from wind and solar sources by 2016.

“Houstonians are increasingly embracing renewable energy, as evidenced by a significant growth in solar installations in the last year,” said Houston Mayor Annise Parker. “The City is also looking at solar options to provide additional renewable power to our municipal buildings. We want to continue to be the largest municipal purchaser of renewable energy in the nation.”

Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix topped the list for most solar power installations in a new Environment Texas Research & Policy Center analysis, Shining Cities: Harnessing the Benefits of Solar Energy in America. San Antonio came in 7th nationally with 88 MW, Austin 17th with 22 MW, Houston 32nd with 5 MW and Dallas 45th with 2 MW.   

Electricity production is a large source of pollution in Texas, affecting air quality and human health. Cities that work to expand access to solar energy to more of their residents play a big role in reducing overall demand for energy from fossil fuel power plants, thereby bettering air quality and reducing the number of early deaths caused by pollution.

While solar power is growing in Texas and throughout the nation, some energy companies are campaigning to repeal the state’s renewable energy law. Environment Texas and other advocates urged legislators to reject SB 931, which passed the Senate Natural Resources Committee this week.

“With prices going down and concern about global warming going up, solar power is growing rapidly in our state,” said Metzger. “We need state leaders to continue the policies that allow solar to shine.”

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Environment Texas Research & Policy Center is a statewide advocacy organization bringing people together for a cleaner, greener, healthier future.www.EnvironmentTexasCenter.org