Despite recent federal setbacks to the climate justice movement, Austin has a pathway to reduce its carbon footprint, create hundreds of jobs and save nearly $3 million per year in energy costs, according to the Texas Climate Jobs Project (TCJP). The coalition launched its new report, “Powering Public Progress: Decarbonizing Austin’s Municipal Buildings for a […]
solar energy
Energy from the sun.
Posted inEnergy
Austin will lose $32 million for solar power projects after federal funding cuts
Austin Energy stands to lose $32 million for solar power projects for low-income people. The loss comes after the Trump administration announced plans to cancel a Biden era clean energy program called “Solar for All.” According to the utility, the funds would have helped 2,500 residential low-income homes and 25 multifamily buildings and community centers […]
Posted inEnergy
In the wake of Uri, solar battery sales soar
Seven months after Winter Storm Uri caused the deaths of more than 200 people around Texas and left millions without power, demand for solar power and home battery systems has skyrocketed. Austin Energy has received more requests for solar panel and battery installations since the storm than in the past four years combined, said Luis Rivas, […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin’s community solar program comes to light
For years, people have lamented that although the sun shines at no cost, it is cost prohibitive to redirect its energy from the outdoors and into your home. Even if Austinites want to implement solar technology, they must contend with tree cover, roof maintenance issues and significant upfront costs. Last year, to help alleviate some […]
Posted inEnergy
Council expands immediate solar energy purchase
Just two weeks after approving 288 megawatts’ worth of solar energy contracts, City Council upped the total on Thursday to between 400 and 450 MW. In addition to the immediate purchases, the body directed Austin Energy to reach an ultimate goal of 600 MW by the end of 2019 by either signing contracts with solar […]
Posted inEnergy, Monitor News & Media, Radio, Resources
Austin Monitor Radio: 600 MW of solar power?
The Sierra Club’s Cyrus Reed and city of Austin Electric Utility Commission chair (and former Austin Energy employee) Michael Osborne join Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about the potential of as much as 600 megawatts in additional solar power contracts for Austin Energy. Program is embedded below: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/226880045″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin makes major investment in new solar
The Austin City Council took a huge step toward achieving the city’s renewable energy goals on Thursday when it approved up to 300 megawatts’ worth of utility-scale solar contracts that will last for the next 15 to 25 years. The story isn’t over yet, though, as Council has additional contracts on the table that could […]
Posted inEnergy, Resources
Full-scale solar option remains on table
In spite of a lengthy debate about how much solar capacity the city should contract into next month, the City Council Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee did not appear to rule out any options at its meeting on Thursday. The course that the discussion followed was similar to the one that has taken place over […]
Posted inEnergy
Council committee asks for ambitious solar plan
Solar advocates have scored a minor victory in their push for Austin to invest heavily in solar energy and to do it fast. The Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee recommended Thursday that City Council direct staff to bring a plan forward for Council consideration by October that would involve the city investing in 600 megawatts […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy, East Austinites talk solar project
Although solar panels are designed to soak up the sun, Austin Energy spokesperson Carlos Cordova says the utility wants its upcoming local solar project to be “reflective” of the East Austin community that will be its home. Austin Energy inked a deal in late May with local solar developer PowerFin Texas Solar Projects to construct […]
Posted inResources
Austin Energy to operate community solar project
Austinites who want to use solar power but cannot install solar panels will soon be able to draw from a community pool of solar energy. A new project to be operated by Austin Energy will allow electric customers who cannot afford to install individual solar panels or live in a home where panels are not […]