June 1997 Hoffner Renewable Energy in Texas John Hoffner, Director of Advanced Technologies Planergy Austin, Texas Imagine that it is the year 2097.
People drive hydrogen-powered cars and live in homes powered by solar electric panels.
The oil industry has been replaced by providers that supply their customers with electricity generated by solar photovoltaic cells and large wind plants located in West Texas or by bioenergy plants located in the eastern part of the state. The above scenario, though imaginary, will become a reality if Texans and their leaders invest in solar, wind, and bioenergy resources. Although small, this percentage is significant when compared to the actual wind and solar energy production in other states. The study shows that the wind energy potential alone in Texas is 524,800 MW of capacity. Commercially available photovoltaic modules convert at an efficiency of about 15 percent.