**New: A list of arguments, Re: Why it will benefit us all to go solar (not just people who have solar panels on their roofs).
El Paso has lost out on all the big energy booms of the past. We don’t have coal; we don’t have oil; and we don’t have much wind. We’ve been energy consumers, not producers. But that could change very soon.
El Paso has lost out on all the big energy booms of the past. We don’t have coal; we don’t have oil; and we don’t have much wind. We’ve been energy consumers, not producers. But that could change very soon.
As solar power is quickly emerging as not only the energy source of the future, but also the industry of the future, El Paso, with its average of 307 sunny days a year (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), is positioned perfectly for a solar energy economic boom.
What could be:
We can easily imagine that in a few years, rooftop solar panels would be a common sight in El Paso (as it’s starting to be in Las Cruces). El Pasoans would land high-paying jobs with solar companies that chose to invest millions of dollars here. Photovoltaic (PV) panels will be manufactured in Juarez, creating twin provider industries in El Paso. And institutions of higher education will train El Pasoans to become experts in the in-demand field of renewable energy.
Why incentives?
Incentives have been key to grow solar markets from Germany to California, Albuquerque to Austin. Why? Because they help stimulate demand for solar panels. Why? Because installing solar panels is still cost-prohibitive for most ($20,000 to $40,000). Incentives help willing homeowners pay for this expensive investment upfront (in the form of upfront rebates like in Austin and San Antonio) or over time (in the form of Renewable Energy Credit payments like in Las Cruces and Carlsbad). You can research incentives at the Department of Energy’s DSIRE online database.
What incentives are there in El Paso?
- Federal incentive: 30% tax credit on PV installation
- State incentive: Texas waves your taxes on the increase in your property’s value after you install a PV system
- City/El Paso Electric incentive: El Paso Electric started a pilot upfront rebate this year that sold like hot cakes ($140,000 in 2 minutes!). Now the utility company and the city have agreed to increase the budget for the rebate so more people will benefit: There are $1.1 million available by the end of the year (starting sometime in September).
How do I take advantage of those incentives?
- The incentives are paid through a contractor, such as a solar panel installer. So the first step would be to visit one.
- The upfront rebate is $2 per watt for a residence, up to 10,000 watts and $1.75 for a commercial facility, up to 25K. So, let's say you install a 3,000 watt solar system on your roof, you could get a $6,000 discount.
Let's say I have solar panels on my roof, what happens when it rains?
Solar technology is still bad at storing electricity so your solar system will provide energy only when the sun is shining. But fear not, your system will be tied to the electric grid and you will be able to return your extra solar electricity to El Paso Electric in exchange for credits on conventional electricity to power your house at night or when the weather is bad. It is called net-metering. You shouldn't have to pay for electricity ever again.
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