San Antonio leads the state in solar power production and is fifth in the country for solar capacity installed within city limits, according to Environment Texas' 2020 "Shining Cities" report.
Power producers across the state have generated more than 5,900 gigawatt hours of energy from solar arrays in 2020 — more than 10 times the amount produced just five years ago — but solar accounted for just 2% of Texas' total energy generation last year.
Just under a decade ago, CPS Energy worked out a deal to build seven solar farms in southern Bexar County. Now, the utility is looking to double its solar capacity to more sustainably accommodate the area's increasing energy needs.
How does solar power work? What are the perks and pitfalls? What products and services are available in San Antonio, and how do you know if solar is a good fit for your home or business?
What are the pros and cons of investing in solar? How cost-effective is the technology? What is the return on investment? What subsidies are available and who qualifies for that assistance?
How has the technology evolved so far? What research and product development could we see moving forward? What's next for the industry overall and for solar in San Antonio, specifically?
Guests:
- Cris Eugster, chief operating officer for CPS Energy
- Anita Ledbetter,Build San Antonio Green
- Scott Nguyen, Ph.D., CEO of 17Terawatts and 2020-2021 Energy Transition Fellow at the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin
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*This interview was recorded on Wednesday, November 18.