Several Texas solar developers say they’ll consider shifting their operations elsewhere if state lawmakers pass legislation enforcing new permitting restrictions and fines on solar and wind projects.
The utility-scale solar and wind market was dealt a blow to the head when a Texas senate group voted 21-9 in favor of SB 624, a state bill which would enforce permitting restrictions and fines on solar and wind projects in the state. A companion bill now heads to the state’s House for approval.
In recent years Texas has become the largest wind energy market in the United States and is soon to take over as the number one state for solar, potentially leapfrogging California. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) expects the state to add 36 GW of solar over the next five years, building on the 16 GW that is active to date, and making it the nation’s sterling example of harnessing the sun’s energy.
Texas lawmakers showed their support for SB 624 in late April.
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