"Solar Power Is About to Hit Texas Generators Where It Hurts Most"

"A boom in solar energy in Texas is about to spoil power generators’ favorite time of day.

Developers are expected to build about 4 gigawatts of commercial-scale solar panel capacity in the Lone Star state by the end of the decade, according to a report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance Tuesday. Cheap solar energy threatens to depress electricity prices during peak midday hours, when generators profit most as consumers blast air conditioners, driving electricity demand higher.

Solar power marks the latest threat to the coal- and natural gas-fired power producers in the Texas market. Conventional generators have already been buffeted by historically low gas prices, competition from abundant wind power and stagnant power demand."

Jonathan Crawford reports for Bloomberg October 11, 2016.