Steve Cargil, a farmer in Uvalde, Texas, has been farming the land since 1953. After a hailstorm in 2018 destroyed his crops, Cargil faced uncertainty about the future of his farm, as none of his three children wanted to continue farming. In 2021, he signed a lease to allow OCI Energy to build a solar farm on 600 acres of his land, which now pays him $200,000 annually. This income has helped him maintain his farm during drought conditions and manage rising costs of farming inputs.
Texas has recently surpassed California to become the largest generator of electricity from solar farms in the United States. In March 2022, solar energy production in Texas exceeded that of coal for the first time, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Mark Stover, executive director of the Texas Solar and Storage Association, noted that solar energy now supplies about one-third of Texas's electricity during peak demand hours. The growth of solar energy is attributed to the state's ability to quickly connect solar farms to its power grid and a rising demand for electricity due to population growth.
James Scott, vice president of project development at OCI, stated that advancements in technology have made solar energy the cheapest form of power generation in Texas. He mentioned that once solar projects are built, the cost of electricity can be fixed for decades, as sunlight is a free resource. In contrast, new coal plants generate electricity at nearly $90 per megawatt hour.
The solar industry has also provided financial benefits to farmers through long-term leases, allowing families to secure multigenerational income. Stover indicated that solar farms occupy less than 0.15% of Texas land, which he argues is a small footprint compared to the benefits they provide.
However, there are opponents to solar expansion. In Franklin County, Texas, residents have expressed concerns about the environmental impact of solar farms, including land clearing and the installation of lithium-ion battery units. BF Hicks, a local lawyer, and David Truesdale, a retired federal agent, have voiced their objections, citing potential hazards and the visual impact of solar installations.
Despite these concerns, a poll conducted by Fabrizio Lee and Associates found that 68% of Republican voters support various forms of electricity generation, including solar power. Stover noted that there is growing acceptance of solar technology in the Texas state legislature, recognizing its reliability benefits.
Cargil remains optimistic about the future of his farm, stating that the solar lease has provided financial stability, allowing him to consider the possibility of passing the farm down to future generations.