Solar powered development for West Texas? Please, yes

In recent years, Texas had added plenty of wind power to the state’s energy resources, in the high hills west and southwest of Abilene and beyond.

What I don’t get, though, is why areas further west in Texas aren’t getting in on the solar energy push, whether the photovoltaic panels type, or the newer solar heat for steam for electric turbines type.

The Permian Basin and west and southwest into the Chihuahuan Desert are prime for this.

Take Odessa, the heart of Permian Basin oil country, and where I will be moving soon to start a position at the daily paper there.

The city, through things such as becoming a Texas certified retirement community, has been working to diversify its economy. I’m sure it would like to do more of that.

Well, with more than 80 percent sunshine in the summer, and 65 percent even in January, it’s well-positioned for that climatically.

Not only does it fit well with growing the area’s economy, it also fits with the call for regional diversification on alternative energy sources being promoted by David Crane, president and chief executive of NRG Energy.

I don’t know what graduate engineering programs The University of Texas-Permian Basin offers, but, surely, at least some aspects of petroleum-related mechanical engineering, on the design and such of larger structures, would be transferrable to solar sites.

The only potential drawback, versus the Desert Southwest, is the lack of public land in Texas. On the other hand, somebody let those windjammers get build on their private land west of Abilene. I’m sure ranchers living at the edge would be open to talks, if they have big enough spreads, on solar power.

Finally, looking ahead at a certain Texas election next year, the first gubernatorial candidate to jump on this idea might just have an angle on rounding up some votes.