by the numbers

Report: Texas shines as top state for new solar, battery capacity

Texas will make up 35 percent of new utility-scale solar capacity in the U.S. this year. Photo via Getty Images

On a state-by-state basis, Texas will account for the biggest share of new utility-scale solar capacity and new battery storage capacity in 2024, a new federal report predicts.

The report, published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), says Texas will make up 35 percent of new utility-scale solar capacity in the U.S. this year, followed by California (10 percent) and Florida (six percent).

In 2024, EIA expects a record-setting addition of 36.4 gigawatts of utility-scale solar capacity across the U.S., nearly double last year’s record-setting addition of 18.4 gigawatts. One gigawatt of electric-generating capacity can power an average of 750,000 homes.

“As the effects of supply chain challenges and trade restrictions ease, solar continues to outpace capacity additions from other generating resources,” the report states.

Meanwhile, a new report from the Environment Texas Research & Policy Center and the Frontier Group found that Texas ranks third in the U.S. for residential solar power generation. Residential solar power generation in Texas grew 646 percent from 2017 through 2022, according to the report.

A February 2023 poll conducted by the University of Houston indicated that nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of Texas homeowners are somewhat or very interested in buying a solar energy system.

“Texas is already soaking up the benefits of rooftop solar,” says Luke Metzger, executive director of the Environment Texas center. “With federal tax credits in place to boost solar adoption in Texas, now is the time to lean in. Every sunny roof without solar panels is a missed opportunity.”

In addition to a spike in utility-scale solar, the EIA report forecasts Texas will lead the way this year in the addition of battery storage capacity, with the expected addition of 6.4 gigawatts. In second place is California, with an expected 5.2 gigawatts of new battery storage capacity. The two states will make up 82 percent of new U.S. battery storage capacity in 2024, says the report.

The federal agency predicts 14.3 gigawatts of U.S. battery storage capacity will be tacked on this year to the existing 15.5 gigawatts.

Overall, EIA anticipates solar will make up 58 percent of all new utility-scale electric-generating capacity this year in the U.S., followed by battery storage at 23 percent.

Trending News

A View From HETI

Weil, Gotshal & Manges announced infrastructure lawyer Jacqui Bogucki has returned to the firm. Photo via weil.com

An international law firm has named a new partner in the Houston office to help build its growing infrastructure and energy transition capabilities

Weil, Gotshal & Manges announced infrastructure lawyer Jacqui Bogucki has returned to the firm.

"Jacqui will be an extremely valuable addition to our growing Houston team,” says Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf in a news release. “Her significant infrastructure experience – including in the digital sector – and strong relationships with leading investment professionals will help to advance our fast-growing infrastructure and energy transition capabilities, and will be an immediate value-add to our clients globally.”

She will advise private equity sponsors and strategic clients on a wide range of corporate transactions. Her focus will include infrastructure, digital, technology, energy transition, and oil and gas sectors. Previously, Bogucki was a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions practice at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Her previous stint at Weil was from 2014 through 2018.

“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to return to Weil, where I began my legal career,” says Bogucki in a news release. “It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the Firm as it further builds out its infrastructure and energy transition capabilities. I look forward to reconnecting with former colleagues and leveraging my experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients.”

Since 2023, notable energy partners Omar Samji, Chris Bennett, Cody Carper, and Irina Tsveklova have joined Weil in Houston – with Steven Lorch joining in New York just last month.

Trending News