The Wind Helps Power Texas

I’ve always been intrigued with alternative energy, especially wind and solar.  Amazingly, Texas was an early adopter of a competitive marketplace for the electricity market. This means consumers can choose from many companies that provide electricity to the Texas grid. (Yes, Texas has its own electrical grid.)  Companies have different rates and different sources for their power generation (nuclear, coal, natural gas, wind, solar and hydroelectric). Customers can shop the various rates and plans using a well designed state run website.  A separate service company maintains the distribution network and delivers power to each user (that charge is added to each user’s bill each month).

We were early backers of Green Mountain Energy,  the first in the state to generate all its power from wind and solar in the late 90’s. Back then, we paid a penny or two more per kilowatt hour, but we felt it was worth it to support alternative power.  Since then, wind energy generation has exploded in Texas. It now provides about 10% of the state’s power needs (the same percentage as nuclear) and there is little or no price differential to users.

We’re now with Breeze Energy, another provider that is 100% wind powered.

Wind energy is cool, but I’ve had a dream to move my ham station to 100% solar. It’s always been just a dream due to cost. With the dramatic drop in solar panel cost (closing in on $1 per watt), it’s time to begin experimenting.

I’ve made some progress, which I’ll discuss next time.