Over 19 GW worth of solar energy was installed in the U.S. just this past year. Despite all the troubles the world faced with the pandemic, solar energy remained a viable option.
But what about Texas residents? Where does the future of solar energy in Texas go from here?
With interest in solar panels growing in Texas every year, it’s important to acknowledge what consumers can expect from this market. Read on to find out more about solar energy in Texas.
Why Is Solar Crucial in Texas?
Solar power, particularly in residential settings, is crucial for Texas residents. We saw the instability of mainline Texas energy providers during the winter storm that ravaged communities in 2021.
One of the greatest benefits of solar energy in Texas is the independence you gain from traditional solar markets. With a solar panel system installed, you get most of your energy from the sunlight and not from a third party.
This means you won’t have to rely on energy providers to get your power even during potential blackouts. Greater independence means greater reliability.
Texas residents can also save plenty of money from switching to solar. They might even gain some money if they decide to sell their homes with solar panels installed.
How Much Sunlight Do Texas Residents Get?
Texas gets over 2,800 hours of sunlight each year, which rounds out to over 160 days worth. This is only rivaled by similarly sunny states like Arizona and California.
An average Texas resident could easily leverage this sunlight by investing in solar energy. The amount of money they’d save now and going into the future will likely be substantial.
Growth of Solar in Texas
Texas is slowly creeping up to California in terms of total utility-scale solar capacity. In fact, the state is set to add 10 gigawatts of utility-scale solar energy by the end of 2022.
The state alone added over 2 GW of solar capacity in 2020 despite the pandemic-stricken conditions. Experts expect that increase to be matched and then some in 2021.
It’s worth noting that federal tax incentives will likely benefit homeowners looking to install solar panels in the near future. The current tax credit stands at around 26%.
While that percentage will drop to 22% by 2023, it’s still an attractive incentive that’ll surely get more people investing in solar energy. Plus, there are plenty of utility companies that provide solar energy incentives in Texas.
Texas also has lower solar installation costs compared to other states. This will incentivize many to take on solar power given that power transmission lines are often equipped to handle sustainable energy sources like solar.
It’s no secret that Texas still has a long way to go towards becoming a majority solar energy state. With that said, the number of homes adopting solar is increasing at an encouraging rate.
Homes looking to install solar panel systems should look to Blue Raven Solar. Their expertise is unmatched for making the switch in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Switching to Solar Energy in Texas
Solar energy in Texas is looking to be the future for its residents, as the abundant sunlight and cheap costs make it more attractive by the minute. Use this article to help you decide whether solar is the move for you.
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