FIGHT FOR SUN IN TEXAS

Solar industry pushes Austin Energy to put major emphasis on solar power
Laylan Copelin, February 14, 2012 (Austin American-Statesman)

"Solar industry leaders are urging Austin Energy to build its next generating plant on the city's rooftops to create thousands of local jobs, as opposed to expanding an existing natural gas-fired plant…The trade group Solar Austin, which includes several CEOs of small solar energy companies, is urging the Austin City Council to commit to constructing 300 megawatts of rooftop generation by 2020 as a means of supporting the industry and creating jobs…

"…Austin Energy officials, however, said…that such an aggressive goal is not affordable or realistic on that timeline…[One said a robust program might build] 20 megawatts in three years…[300 megawatts would require 15 percent of Austin's rooftops, mostly on commercial and industrial sites, and utility-sized solar farms]…[Austin Energy is planning to expand its natural gas-fired plant at Sand Hills…by 200 megawatts]…"

Solar Austin's ambitions exceed the city's. (click to enlarge)

"The issue…is being debated amid a contentious rate case in which the City Council is weighing a 12.5 percent increase in electricity rates or a short-term hike of 3.5 percent and another year of study…To put 300 megawatts in perspective, Austin Energy customers have installed a total of about 6 megawatts [and created 615 full-time solar energy jobs in manufacturing, research and development, solar installation and consulting] since the utility started offering rebates for the installation of rooftop panels in 2004. Austin Energy has a 30-megawatt solar farm…

"Solar energy advocates say San Antonio is eclipsing Austin as a clean energy hub with its plans to build 400 megawatts of solar energy at various sites around the Alamo City…CPS Energy, San Antonio's municipally owned utility, in January selected OCI Solar Power — a subsidiary of a South Korean company — from a list of 19 bidders to bring at least 800 jobs, with an annual payroll of $40 million…"