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In West Texas, Solar Plans Stall

Chris Carlson
/
AP photo

Last year Lincoln Clean Energy proposed a plan to cover 2,400 acres of the Texas Panhandle with a solar farm. The initiative would have cost $320 million, and been capable of powering 40,000 homes, reports Fuel Fix.

But now, months later, the project is stalled due to one problem: No one wants to buy the electricity.

In Texas, the solar revolution has yet to fully take flight. Elsewhere in the state, five major solar projects have been delayed or canceled. And the industry giant SunEdison has filed for bankruptcy.

Today, solar power only accounts for less than 1 percent of the state’s electricity generation. Solar growth has been hindered by rock-bottom natural gas prices and a lack of state incentives.