Texas Is Fast Becoming America’s Leading Green Giant

An unlikely candidate is emerging as America’s leading green state superpower.

The Unexpected Green Giant

When it comes to states winning the race toward renewable energy production, most people think of California, South Dakota, Washington – or even Vermont. These states went all in on hydropower or wind energy and have seen huge returns.

From Black Gold to Green Glory

But one state is slowly pulling ahead, and it’s an area traditionally known for its oil rigs and gas wells. That’s right, the Lone Star State –  a fossil fuel powerhouse – is now leading the charge in clean energy.

A Laughable Notion

Just a few years ago, if you mentioned Texas and renewable power in the same breath, people would laugh. Back in 2019, Texas had a mere 2 gigawatts of large-scale solar power compared to California’s 13 gigawatts.

Texas Outshines the Golden State

Fast forward to today, and Texas has shot ahead with 23.6 gigawatts of solar capacity – safely beating California’s 21.2 gigawatts and setting new records.

Halfway to Green

It’s hard to believe, but now we’re in mid-2024, and clean sources like wind and solar makeup nearly half of Texas’s energy output. This is a huge jump from just five years ago when clean energy barely cracked 31%. 

Sun Beats Coal

The big milestone came in March when solar power actually surpassed coal for the first time ever in Texas.

Texas’s Solar Power Coup

Then, on May 14, Texas made headlines by generating a massive 19.1 gigawatts of solar power in the early afternoon – a record for the entire U.S. This knocked California, a state known for its progressive clean energy policies, off its top spot. 

Oil State Beats Green Giant

A state synonymous with oil and gas is now beating out a progressive stronghold in the renewable energy game.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The numbers speak for themselves. In the first half of 2024, wind and solar made up 38% of Texas’s electrical output, with clean energy sources together covering almost half of the state’s power needs. 

Leading the Pack

Texas isn’t just playing catch-up – it’s pulling ahead. The state now tops the charts in wind and utility-scale solar capacity and is on track to lead in battery storage soon. Texas is gearing up to add 35 gigawatts of wind, solar, and battery storage capacity over the next year and a half, which is more than any other state.

Power Hungry

Texas’s electricity needs are soaring. The state’s population is booming, and with new industries like data centers and bitcoin mining setting up shop, the demand for power is through the roof.

Cutting Red Tape

The state’s relatively easy grid connection process and lighter regulations have made it a favorite for new energy projects, allowing new power sources to come online faster than in many other states.

The Green Behind the Clean

But what’s driving this green energy boom? Three words: money, money, money. 

From Skeptics to Believers

While Texans have traditionally supported fossil fuels and have been skeptical of clean energy targets, the financial benefits of renewables are too big to ignore.

Texas’s Energy Market 

The deregulated electricity market in Texas, which lets developers compete fiercely on costs, has been a game changer. As developers fight to offer the most cost-efficient power, wind and solar have come out on top. Federal tax credits have also helped these sources of energy become more competitive.

Battery Storage Boom

But it’s not just about solar. The state is also moving into battery storage, which is becoming crucial as more renewable energy sources come online. 

Storing Sunshine

Batteries store excess energy when it’s plentiful and sell it when demand – and prices – are high. Texas is expected to add around 6.4 gigawatts of battery storage capacity in 2024 alone, which will help the state handle extreme weather and keep costs down.

The Unlikely Alliance for Clean Energy

This clean energy shift is sparking some unusual alliances. Urban progressives and rural conservatives are teaming up to support clean energy. Even though rural areas are a small part of the population, they stand to gain a huge chunk of the investment from renewables.

Rural Windfall

One report found that rural areas will get more than 60% of the investment in renewable energy and storage.

The Winds of Change

Even the political climate is changing. There’s now broad support for renewables, thanks to the economic perks – as they say, money talks. Last year, several bills that would have made it harder to build new solar and wind projects didn’t even make it to a vote.

Texas’s Renewable Energy Future

Texas is still heavily reliant on natural gas, but it seems like the economic incentives for clean energy are proving hard to resist. State energy developers have released plans for multiple new projects, including 130 gigawatts of battery storage, 138 gigawatts of solar, 24 gigawatts of wind, and 14 gigawatts of gas. 

A Solar Powerhouse

Not all these projects will see the light of day, but it looks like Texas will keep leading in solar energy growth in the years ahead.

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