In December 2009, the Public Utility Commission of Texas released a strawman proposal to finally implement a 2005 law requiring 500 megawatts of “non-wind” renewable energy by 2015. Environment Texas is encouraging Governor Perry and the PUC to adopt the proposal and to include a set-aside of at least 100 megawatts of distributed generation such as rooftop solar. Comments on the proposal are due on February 12, 2010.

Renew Texas with solar

Watch our video "Renew Texas," which makes the case for expanded investments in solar, here.

Member videos: Check out the short videos our members put together on solar power here.

Texas has the greatest solar resource potential in the nation. We can protect our environment and move to a cleaner energy future by using our technological know how to tap into solar energy. From the NASA researchers innovating new solar technologies at Johnson Space Center to the small businesses installing solar panels on Texas rooftops, solar power is already a reality here in Texas. Attractive for its clean, reliable, and independent energy, solar is being used by schools, homes, even the oil industry! Texas helped create a boom for wind power, and it can do the same for solar.

Solar power has environmental, economic, and health benefits that Texas can harness. Solar meets peak demand, reduces congestion on transmission and distribution lines, creates local jobs, generates pollution-free energy, and provides price stability as there is no associated fuel cost.

Now it's time to help Texas Go Solar by creating rebates and incentives to make it easier for homeowners and businesses to install solar on their rooftops, investing in solar for schools and in large-scale solar farms, and requiring utilities to pay consumers a fair price for surplus electricity they generate.

Solar Fact Sheet