Future of solar power is bright in Texas, energy exec says at A&M ... - Texarkana Gazette

Future of solar power is bright in Texas, energy exec says at A&M-Texarkana presentation

TEXARKANA, Texas-- The future for renewable energy is on the horizon for not only the country but for the state of Texas, an energy executive says.

Texas A and M University-Texarkana held a discussion on green energy, solar energy and solar farms in East Texas on Monday. The featured speaker was Helen Brauner, vice president of business development of Lightsource BP.

Brauner gave an overview of the U.S. solar industry growth, markets, customers and types of jobs available, particularly in Texas.

"Solar is beneficial in that it is renewable energy. It is fuel supply is renewable and sustainable it comes from the sun so never runs out, unlike oil and gas. It doesn't put any pollutants in the air, water or soil. It is fairly cost-effective these days, which is why many companies and utilities are choosing it over other forms of energy," Brauner said.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Texas ranks as the second-greenest state when it comes to solar power, trailing behind California. Over 17,000 solar panels were installed in Texas in 2022, enough to power over 1 million homes. Within the next five years, Texas is projected to grow in solar-produced megawatts to rank first.

According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, there are over 17,000 megawatts installed as of 2022.

"We are really excited to have Helen and to be able to represent Lightsource BP and what they've done within the solar energy industry and Texas," said Joy Cooper, assistant professor of business and economics."For her to come and share the strides we are making in renewable energy and share that with the university is very important."

The solar industry has about three times as many jobs now as it did in 2021. In 2021, there were 330,000 solar jobs in the U.S. versus 71,000 coal jobs.