Or similarly, the majority of the family's hot water needs could be met with only a few large solar water heating panels. These systems, some of which can be directly integrated into buildings, often provide added value to the owner or embody unique characteristics that make them the most cost-effective option available. Global Horizontal Insolation for Texas Cities. Throughout Texas, sunshine is adequate to power rooftop systems such as photovoltaic or water heating systems. Figures 4 and 5, developed by NREL, show the average direct normal insolation in the conterminous United States and in Texas.
Normal insolation refers to the amount that strikes a surface that always faces the sun.
West Texas exhibits the highest levels of direct normal insolation in Texas as well as some of the highest levels in the entire nation. Direct normal insolation is the quantity of interest for concentrating technologies that track the sun throughout the day and intensify natural sunlight to yield very high temperatures or generate electricity efficiently. Since wholesale energy markets are dictated almost solely on price, solar power plants trying to compete in this arena will need to be located in regions with very good direct radiation. To support prospective developments of this type, improved solar radiation data are needed throughout the Trans-Pecos and along the Rio Grande. Potential Value of the Texas Resource Solar radiation is available throughout the state in sufficient quantity to power distributed solar systems such as solar water heaters and off-grid photovolatic panels.