By Renewable Energy Focus Staff
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is currently managing record levels of peak energy loads.
Both small-scale rooftop solar and utility-scale solar power plants produce energy when the sun is shining, which is typically when the grid is most strained by heavy use from businesses and air conditioners.
Data from sites for planned solar power plants in West Texas show typical production ramping quickly from 8.00am to 11.00am. with peak production lasting from 11.00am to 7.00pm during the summer months (6.00pm during winter months).
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the current power crisis in Texas is driving spot market prices for electricity up to US $3,000 per megawatt hour. That is 10-30 times the cost of solar electricity.
Monique Hanis, a spokesperson for the SEIA, says: ”The significant weather events experienced by much of the United States this year, including Texas, have greatly affected both traditional generation assets and the grid infrastructure. Today, solar energy is a reliable, cost-effective choice for utilities and customers that can relieve such heavy strain on the grid. Solar is a solution technology that is ready to deploy quickly to address growing power generation needs now. In fact, once a site is permitted, a solar project developer in the US can install several megawatts a week.”
Carrie Hitt, President of the Solar Enery Alliance, says: “Expanding solar generation in Texas would increase power production when utilities and customers in ERCOT need it the most, including during early evening peak load periods. Not only does greater deployment of solar on rooftops and solar power plants help ease power shortages at these times of day, it’s a technology that consumes minimal amounts of water.
“Every customer programme made available in Texas tends to be oversubscribed in record time.”
Russell Smith, Executive Director of the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA), says: “Texas is positioned to make a huge leap forward in solar energy now. Municipal utilities and solar energy companies have led the way and soon we’ll see completion of a $5 billion transmission line to some of the best solar regions, right here in the Lone Star State. With appropriate state policy that removes market barriers and provides incentives, we expect to see significant growth of the Texas solar market in the coming years.”