Did you know Texas leads the United States in both energy production and consumption? It’s true. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Texas is responsible for more than one-fifth of the nation’s domestic energy production, and one-seventh of our energy consumption: that’s more than any other state!
Those statistics are impressive, but how much of Texas energy is renewable?
Is Texas leading the way in renewable energy and investing in ways toprovide citizens with solar energy plans?
The short answer is… yes! Texas is leading the country in renewable energy production, with economic and environmental benefits.
This recent increase in renewable energy sources in Texas is not only due to concerns about climate change, but also because of the lowering costs of green energy sources, like wind and solar.
Which State Is Greener: Texas or California?
If you had to guess which state produces more green energy, which would you choose: Texas or California? A surprising report revealed that, out of all 50 states, Texas implemented the most renewable energy projects in 2021, helping the U.S. surpass 200 gigawatts (MW) of clean energy capacity. See how the top three states are contributing:
- Texas (7,352 MW)
- California (2,697 MW)
- Oklahoma (1,543 MW)
It seems what they say about Texas is true: even renewable energy is bigger here! All these clean energy projects, including solar energy, support new jobs, economic growth, and the environment.
What Is Texas’ Renewable Energy Percentage?
Here’s a breakdown of Texas’ power generation by source in 2020:
- Natural gas (46%)
- Wind (23%)
- Coal (18%)
- Nuclear (11%)
- Solar (2%)
As you can see, other Texas energy sources, like natural gas and coal, account for a majority of the state’s electricity generation. However, wind and solar together account for 25% of all energy created in 2020, which is no small feat!
Learn More: Benefits of Renewable Solar Energy and Benefits of Wind Power Generation
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Renewable Energy Jobs in Texas
This growth in clean energy is spurring a boost in local and state economies. In 2019, Texas ranked 2nd behind California in the number of green energy workers employed. That year, Texas had more than 233,000 employees working in wind, solar, or energy efficiency categories.
Now, the Labor Department is predicting that jobs for wind turbine technicians will increase at a 61% rate between 2019 and 2029. Solar panel installation jobs are projected to increase by 51% during the same 10-year period.
Final Thoughts
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