Adam-GlickHouston’s Big Energy Makeover: From Oil Rigs to Solar Farms

By Adam Glick, Sr Consultant, NATiVE Solar

Houston has been seen as the beating heart of America’s oil and gas industry for decades. But times are changing. Today, our beloved H-town is emerging as a renewable energy hub, blending solar farms, wind turbines, and advanced battery storage systems into its iconic skyline. I’ve always had the image of oil derricks and refineries in the back of my mind when I visited or thought about Houston – but I know that vision is outdated.

From Oil Booms to Solar Horizons
Starting with the Spindletop oil discovery in 1901 -and then the completion of Houston’s Ship Channel in 1914- the city quickly (and durably) rose to become the symbol of America’s energy industry. But despite lasting reliance, Houston’s oil biz has had its challenges. Price volatility, fluctuating demand, environmental concerns, market gyrations, and global carbon goals have pushed Houston to adapt and diversify its energy mix. -Seems smart, right?

Why and How is Houston Going Green, Anyway?
Several factors are driving this transformation:

  • 2015–16 Oil Bust: Oil’s share of Houston’s economy fell from 18.4% to 9.6% (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas), and over 77,000 Petroleum industry workers lost their jobs. Some of those jobs came back in subsequent years, but diversifying energy sources became essential as visions of forever-growth were shattered…
  • Technological Innovation: With over 4,700 energy-related firms, Houston has become a hub for solar, wind, and battery energy technologies. Many are small and medium – but growing companies. And of course all the Big Oil players such as ExxonMobile, ConocoPhilip, Chevron, Shell, and Halliburton are all spending Billions (or so they tell us) trying to ensure they have a long-term energy transition strategy
  • Gov Policy Leadership: Since 2020, all municipal facilities have run on 100% renewable energy, using 1 billion kWh annually in 2023, more than any other U.S. city government. (As a side note, I’m personally hoping the retail energy providers and utilities servicing the Houston area find a sustainable path to increasing solar buy-back rates for both residential and commercial solar customers selling their surplus power back to the grid.
Houston’s Big Energy Makeover

Building a Renewable Future

  • Solar & Wind Power: All signs point to Texas again rocking the winner’s jersey for renewable energy leadership in 2025 – and according to the EIA (and they should know!) Houston is at the heart of this growth.
  • Battery Storage: Federal, State and Corporate Investments in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are helping make the grid more reliable and efficient, aligning with Houston’s Climate Action Plan for carbon neutrality by 2050. *Hopefully the Feds under this new incoming administration don’t foolishly roll back incentives and investment here!!!

Innovation and Workforce Transformation
But friends, Houston isn’t just building solar farms — it’s fostering an innovation ecosystem:

The Road Ahead
Looking down the road, Houston seems to be aiming to maintain a leadership position in the clean energy transition we all expect is coming. Here’s a few other things I’m personally expecting to see come to fruition:

  • Smart energy grids powered by AI.
  • Solar-covered skyscrapers dotting the skyline.
  • A thriving green job market supporting diverse employment opportunities.

Houston’s shift from oil rigs to solar farms isn’t just about keeping up with the times – it’s about leading the future of energy innovation.

Houston’s sun-soaked future is just beginning — and it’s looking brighter than ever 🌞⚡-with our Houston-based NATiVE Solar tech there to help keep a steady hand on the ship for our residential and commercial customers.

And speaking of the road ahead…Here at NATiVE Solar, we are just gonna keep following and trying to make sense of all of the trends and changes that matter in this space!