Mini-Updates from Across the State
By Adam Glick, Sr Consultant, NATiVE Solar
Here’s a few Texas solar industry newsbits you may have missed in October!
I wanted for this blog posting to give a few tightly-condensed, recent news tidbits regarding solar and energy storage happenings from around our fine state.
Between record-high temperatures, new “Big Compute” (data center) power requirements, uncertain grid reliability, and legislative developments, renewable energy – there is a LOT going on for those who want to stay abreast of all such things.
As solar and battery energy storage (BESS) have become increasingly powerful and effective tools for keeping Texas’s lights on, here’s the skinny on what’s been happening -and why it matters:
Solar Cooled Costs and Maintained Grid Stability During Record Heat
We just lived through one of the hottest Octobers on record, with temperatures for many of us stubbornly hanging in the triple digits for much of the month. But here’s a bright side: the expanded use of solar energy made a real difference in preventing power shortages during those brutal peak afternoon hours.
Texas has added a whopping 10,000 MegaWatts of solar since late 2022. This has had the effect of helping to cool electricity costs and stabilize the grid. Consumers, businesses and citizens alike have benefited – even if we never think about this stuff.
Google’s Massive Solar Project: Orion Solar Belt
A high-profile piece of news coming from Milam County (just northeast of Austin): Google’s new 875 MW solar project in Texas, the Orion Solar Belt. Believe it or not, most of the torrent of electricity generated at this solar farm complex is to be used to supply Google’s Texas data centers.
As AI and cloud computing grow, tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have huge demands for clean energy, and these companies are leading the way by committing billions to renewable energy initiatives.
In fact, Google’s latest solar project is expected to use over 85% of its capacity for cloud computing and data center needs in Texas. This will likely help alleviate some (but not all) of the extra burden that BIG COMPUTE will continue to add to our state’s grid.
A less obvious but equally cool aspect of the Orion project is its commitment to using U.S.-produced iron and steel, qualifying it for new tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s part of a larger shift that could boost the American manufacturing sector by reducing dependency on foreign-made solar components. This means that large solar projects aren’t just about power—they’re creating jobs and supporting local economies.
Rooftop Solar and Policy Roadblocks
While large solar farms are transforming the grid, residential solar has been making quieter strides. More and more Texas homeowners are going solar, partly due to local organizations pushing for easier permitting processes like the SolarApp. Still, challenges remain.
Some lawmakers and utility companies are resistant, citing concerns over the impact of decentralized energy systems on the grid. But with high public support—73% of Texans reportedly favor rooftop solar—the push for more rooftop solar is likely to keep growing.

Lowering Energy Costs for Everyone
Perhaps the most tangible benefit of solar is that it’s helping lower energy costs. As solar becomes a bigger part of Texas’s energy mix, it’s taking some of the burden off fossil fuel-based generation, particularly during peak hours when electricity costs spike. The state’s hotter-than-average summer of 2023 was proof that increased solar power capacity helped keep costs lower, making it a pocketbook win for consumers who rely on affordable electricity to keep their homes cool in the sweltering Texas heat
But Don’t Simply Take Our Word for It.
We’re aiming to share the straight-dope here, but it’s difficult to encapsulate “the truth” in a few words. We (here at NATiVE!) always advocate for our clients to be well-educated on these topics and to do their own homework and research.
I’ve included links to the original sources in the text sections above and encourage deeper exploration on any and all of these topics if they feel important to you.
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