Renewable Energy In North Texas

Renewable Energy is energy that can be replenished and never exhausted by use.  This energy is created from natural resources such as sun, wind, water, agricultural residue, etc. that are readily available. Using these resources to create energy does not jeopardize the environment.

Non-renewable energy can be used only once. This energy is created from fossil fuels, crude oil, and natural gas that pollute the earth.  Once these sources are burned to create energy, they cannot be used again. For example, a piece of burning wood eventually turns into ash. The ash is useless and must be discarded. Negative ramifications for the environment and costly disposal of waste further demonstrate the inefficiency of non-renewable energy. 

Solar energy is the most abundant source of renewable energy in North Texas.  The greater the intensity of the light, the more power is generated. Places such as North Texas with plentiful sunlight exposure are ideal locations for creating solar energy.

Sunlight becomes energy by using Photovoltaic (PV) technology. Photo means produced by light and voltaic means an electrical current produced by chemical reaction  PV Panels are mounted in direct sunlight (100 square feet of un-shaded roof area per 1 kilo-watt of installed solar panels facing predominantly southward is ideal) to create energy.  The panels are made of silicon which is a natural element that becomes electrically charged when exposed to sunlight. This energy is consolidated and transferred to an electrical panel for use in homes and commercial buildings. 

Energy from natural resources can renew the world as we now know it and solve some of the biggest challenges of the 21st Century.  Below are a few examples of how renewable energy in North Texas is already working to improve our future. 

Stimulate the Economy:  The Federal Energy Plan projects 10 percent of our electricity will come from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.  

Green Power:  Environmentally friendly with no pollution or emissions.  On April 9, 2008 the Dallas City Council adopted the citywide green building program and an ordinance establishing the green building program. Dallas plans to be carbon neutral by 2030 and the greenest city in the U.S.

Job Opportunities:  New buildings must be energy compliant to new codes and ordinances. Construction workers are needed to build new buildings.  Technicians are needed to install new energy systems compliant to new laws.

Independence:  Renewable fuels make our nation less dependent on foreign countries.  Homeowners can rely on their own generating capacity instead of the local utility.

Cost Incentives - The initial cost of converting to solar energy can be offset by programs offered by the government and local utilities. Some of the Texas programs include:

• Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption  -Commercial, Industrial, Residential
• LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Program – Loans for Schools, Local Government, State Government, Hospitals
• Solar and Wind Energy Device Franchise Tax Deduction - Corporate Deduction

For more information on Texas energy programs, see www.dsireusa.org and www.texasefficiency.com. Information about new laws can be found in the Texas Utility Code § 39.916 at www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/statutes/Pura07.pdf.

Axium Solar specializes in the custom design and installation of renewable energy systems in North Texas.