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SAN ANTONIO — Texas is on track to overtake California as the nation’s top solar energy producer within the next few years, according to recent data and industry experts. The Lone Star State, already adding more solar capacity annually than California, is rapidly growing its solar energy footprint.
The surge in Texas solar installations has been remarkable. In the first half of 2024 alone, Texas made significant strides, benefitting from abundant sunshine and increasing investments in renewable energy. Both businesses and residents are tapping into solar power to cut energy bills.
The question:
Is Texas going to surpass California in solar energy production in the next few years?
The answer:
TRUE
What we found:
Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), confirms Texas is leading the way. “For just 2024, Texas has already taken over California in the number of installations,” said Hopper. “California is still number one overall, but honestly, in the next year, two years, three years, Texas is going to be number one.”
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) supports this claim, showing Texas’s solar generation increased by more than 61% between 2022 and 2023, compared to California’s 23.1% growth.
The rise of community solar projects in Texas is also expanding access to solar energy beyond homeowners. “You buy a share of a solar farm, you get the bill savings on your electricity bill, but you don’t have to commit to that upfront cost and that upfront commitment on your roof,” Hopper explained.
So, yes, it’s official — Texas is poised to surpass California in solar energy production in the near future, marking a significant shift in the nation’s clean energy landscape.
New poll shows Texas voters strongly support solar growth
Source: kens5.com
