Clean energy continues meteoric rise in Texas

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Texas retained its 1st in the nation ranking for renewable energy production, according to an online dashboard released today by Environment Texas Research & Policy Center. The dashboard, Renewables on the Rise 2023, finds that:

• Texas produced more renewable energy than any other state and 55% more than the number two state California. 
• Solar energy production grew 47% from 2021 to 2022, producing enough electricity to power 2.3 million typical homes. Texas ranks 2nd in the nation for solar energy. 
• In 2022, Texas produced the equivalent of 31% of the electricity it consumes from solar, wind and geothermal power, compared with just 10% in 2013. Texas ranks 13th for the percentage of power coming from renewables. The first ranked state, Iowa, got 83% of its power from wind and solar last year. 
• With a total of 2.09 gigawatts in 2022, Texas ranks 2nd for battery storage capacity. Battery storage grew 165% last year.
• There were 54,793 electric vehicles sold in Texas in 2022, 3rd most in the nation. There are now a total of more than 200,000 electric vehicles registered in Texas. 
• Texas had 6,947 charging ports for electric vehicles at the end of 2022, 4th most in the nation.
• Energy savings due to efficiency measures installed in 2021 are 180% higher than in 2013.

“Texas is showing the nation how it is done,” said Luke Metzger, Executive Director of Environment Texas Research & Policy Center. “Clean energy is increasingly powering our lives while reducing pollution and saving consumers money. The sky is literally the limit when it comes to a clean energy future.”

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in summer 2022, continues federal tax credits for renewable energy, such as wind and solar, through 2032. Since the law’s passage, the amount of new wind, solar and battery storage proposed for the grid has increased significantly. The ERCOT “interconnection queue” now shows over 250 gigawatts of renewable energy and battery projects in some stage of development. 

The IRA also provides rebates for home efficiency upgrades and the purchase of heat pumps, electric induction stoves and other efficient electric appliances and equipment and tax incentives to encourage individuals and businesses to buy electric vehicles and install solar panels.

Environment Texas Research and Policy Center also reviewed data from ERCOT (which includes about 90% of Texas customers) and found that rooftop and other “distributed” solar capacity more than doubled between the second quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2023, totaling more than 2.2 gigawatts today.

Unfortunately, clean energy’s rise has coincided with a backlash from some lawmakers. The Legislature adopted a new $200 annual fee for electric vehicles, but narrowly rejected efforts to saddle wind and solar energy with new fees, restrictions and permitting requirements.  

“Texans are already reaping the benefits of the dramatic clean energy progress we’ve made so far,” Metzger said. “With federal tax credits promising to turbocharge clean energy, now is the time for Texas to double down on clean energy. When it comes to wind and solar energy, the Legislature should, as General George S. Patton said, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way!” 

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Environment Texas Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit www.environmenttexascenter.org.