The growth of solar energy in Texas, the United States’ top oil producer, has provided a lifeline for some farmers while transforming the energy landscape in the state. Steve Cargil, a farmer near Uvalde, Texas, has found unexpected relief through solar leasing, helping sustain his family farm in challenging economic times.
The Shift to Solar
Faced with the unpredictability of natural disasters, like the 2018 hailstorm that devastated his crops of cabbage and onions, Cargil realised the traditional path of passing the farm to his children might not be viable. With no pension to rely on, he was uncertain about the future until 2001, when he leased 600 acres of his land to OCI Energy, leading to the construction of a substantial solar farm.
This arrangement now provides Cargil with an annual income of $200,000 (£150,000), allowing him to focus his resources on managing the remaining farming land efficiently. The solar lease has significantly eased financial pressures, providing stability and potentially enabling the farm to continue to a fifth generation.
Solar’s Rapid Expansion in Texas
Texas’s increased dependency on solar power, which surpassed coal for the first time in March of the previous year, marks a significant turning point. Mark Stover, from the Texas Solar and Storage Association, highlights the state’s efficient integration of solar into its standalone power grid and its burgeoning electricity demands as driving factors behind this expansion.
Between 2015 and 2025, Texas witnessed a 15.8% population increase, intensifying the demand for electricity. This rapid growth, combined with the declining costs of solar technology, explained by OCI’s James Scott, has made solar the most cost-effective power source in the state. He notes the predictability of solar energy pricing as a significant draw for large corporations, in contrast to more expensive new coal plants.
Rural Impact and Opposition
While many landowners benefit from the solar boom, acceptance is not universal. In Franklin County, northeast Texas, public resistance has been evident. Residents like BF Hicks and David Truesdale express concerns over environmental impacts, such as land clearing and battery storage risks. Discontent has occasionally culminated in legal actions aimed at stopping further solar developments.
Despite such opposition, polling suggests a majority of Republican voters support diversified energy generation, including solar, to keep energy costs down. Stover confirms that solar has received legislative backing in Texas, acknowledging its contribution to grid reliability.
Back in Uvalde, Steve Cargil reflects on the fortuitous outcome of incorporating solar into his farming operation, acknowledging the unexpected opportunity as a stroke of good fortune.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.