Texas installed more solar power than any other state last year, according to a recent report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, a national trade group.
"I think we’re just in an environment where you’ll just continue seeing energy growth," said Daniel Giese, the solar association’s state affairs director for Texas.
Last year, Texas installed about 11 gigawatts of solar power – more than double the amount installed by any other state, according to the association.
Giese said that's because Texas is seeing a growing demand for energy.
The state could be theleading market for data centersin two years, according to the Texas Tribune. These facilities are known for their heavy demand for electricity. Texas alsoadded more peoplethan any other state last year.
"It’s just the perfect storm of load growth coming online, and then the need for power," Giese said.
The state has a total of about 52 gigawatts of solar power, enough electricity for more than 6 million homes. The state is also on track tolead the countryin energy storage.
Giese said these two forms of energy are growing in Texas because they add electricity to the grid quickly, and drive down energy prices.
"Solar is able to power the state during the daytime," he said. "Battery [storage] is able to capture that excess, cheap power, and then able to deploy that to ensure that there’s no price spikes for Texans."
Copyright 2026 Houston Public Media News 88.7