Discover the Largest Solar Farm in Texas (And What Lives Around It)

For many centuries and even millennia, farms have grown and harvested crops. Farms have allowed societies to flourish in many ways. They’ve provided sustenance and nutrition, allowed for land development, created jobs, and bolstered the economy. Nowadays, farms don’t refer solely to plots of land with plants and livestock. Farms like the largest solar farm in Texas are more modern renditions of classic crop-growing lands.

These modern farms serve different purposes, like providing electricity to people within a particular area. Solar farms are large plots of land with photovoltaic, or PV, solar panels. These large panels harness energy from the sun during the day and convert it into electric energy to power homes and equipment. These farms are gaining popularity due to their sustainable energy resources and generally cost-effective installation. There are currently enough solar farms in the United States to power over 15.9 million homes. Let’s learn about one of the largest solar farms in the United States, the Permian Energy Center.

What is the Permian Energy Center?

The Permian Energy Center began commercial operation in May of 2021, after two years of construction. It has 1.3 million solar panels and provides clean energy to around 100,00 homes in the surrounding areas. The solar farm produces around 460 megawatts of energy, which is significantly more than most typical solar farms. One megawatt generally powers around 200 homes per day, meaning the Permian Energy Center powers 200 homes 460 times over! The solar farm spans over 3,600 acres, which equals almost six square miles devoted entirely to sustainable energy. The farm has provided many jobs and contributes to the economic and technological development of the area it inhabits.

Who Made the Permian Energy Center?

Ørsted was the first energy company to make the jump from fossil fuel-based power to completely renewable and clean resources. They specialize in off-shore and on-shore wind power, green hydrogen, and solar power alternatives to natural resources. Ørsted has created over 500 jobs and generated millions of dollars in tax revenues. They have a largely positive economic effect on communities, aside from providing renewable energy. The Permian Energy Center is one of six solar projects by the Ørsted company. It is the largest solar farm in the entire state of Texas. Ørsted seeks to have zero net carbon emissions and reach a positive biodiversity impact on 100% of their projects by the year 2030.

Where is the Permian Energy Center Located?

The solar farm is named after the Permian Basin, located in northwestern Texas. Before it was a basin, a prehistoric sea was located in the region, depositing many rich natural resources and organic materials over millions of years. Because of this, the Permian Basin is one of the largest sites for oil drilling and natural gas in the eastern United States. Since being discovered as a valuable site in 1920, over 30 billion barrels of crude oil have been drilled from the basin. Experts estimate that around 20 million barrels remain. In addition, there are almost 300 trillion cubic feet of natural gas within the Permian Basin.

Today, companies drill four million barrels of oil from the Permian Basin daily. It is responsible for over half of the United States crude oil production. It spans over 86,000 square miles throughout Texas and New Mexico and covers 52 different counties. As one of the largest sites for natural resources in the United States, the Permian Basin contributes to pollution, along with misuse of resources like gas and oil. The Permian Energy Center helps combat the basin’s negative impact on the environment. It provides consumers with a clean, sustainable alternative that is creating new jobs and economic benefits.

Where to Find the Permian Energy Center on a Map

The Permian Energy Center is situated in the heart of the prolific Permian Basin, which spans across West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Specifically, it is located in Ector County on a 600-acre site near the city of Odessa. The strategic location provides easy access to major oil and gas fields, pipelines, highways, railways, and airports in the region. Furthermore, its proximity to growing demand centers such as Houston and Mexico makes it an ideal hub for energy infrastructure development and distribution.

About Andrews County

Located in northwestern Texas, Andrews County is a predominately agricultural town with a population of almost 20 thousand. Founded in 1876, it was the largest growing county in the United States between the years 2010 and 2015. Aside from traditional farming, the main contributor to the county’s economy is its location in the Permian Basin. After the basin was discovered in 1920, Andrews County saw a large economic boom. Interest in the area did not lose traction until almost 1970. Oil production has been much more predictable and steadier since then, continuing to bolster the county’s economy and ensure prosperity. Now, innovative ideas like the Permian Energy Center create more jobs in the area. Andrews County now represents an astonishing evolution in the agricultural industry. It has transitioned from crops to natural resources, to sunlight and clean energy initiatives.

What Lives Around the Permian Energy Center?

Andrews County is located in the western part of Texas and is home to abundant wildlife and vegetation. Around Andrews County, white-tailed deer, and mule deer prance through meadows and deep within the forest. In addition to deer, animals such as pronghorn antelope, badgers, muskrats, skunks, and prairie dogs roam the wilderness, circled overhead by many different species of birds. The region mainly has desert grasslands and mountain ranges. These areas are covered in vegetation, such as desert shrubs, juniper trees, various types of oak trees, and pinyon pine. Due to the expansive wilderness of western Texas, individuals who reside in the region are known for their agricultural and hunting capabilities. The economy of the region largely relies on the land itself, and the people benefit from the wildlife and vegetation neighboring them.

Conclusion

While it is known for its great natural resources, Texas is simultaneously garnering attention for its renewable energy efforts. Currently, Texas produces the most wind energy in the entire United States and is growing its solar energy initiatives steadily. While California remains the number one solar energy producer in the United States, Texas is a close second. The effort has received some backlash, especially after winter storms caused a large power grid collapse, taking out almost half of the state’s power plants. However, these setbacks allow for more innovation and revision in the clean energy field. Texas continues to grow in its renewable energy efforts, hopefully inspiring other states to do the same.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock.com