As the long-term effects of climate change impacts natural resources, one study says it might also dig into the pocketbooks of energy consumers.
With energy costs rising due to rising global temperatures, more entities are turning to renewable technologies to help their customers.
According to the fourth National Climate Assessment, residential and commercial electricity expenses are projected to increase anywhere from four to 18 percent by 2040 nationwide. Those projections include a reduction in electricity used for heat in states with warmer winters, and associated increases in electricity demands during the summer months.
However, entities such as Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) are investing in solar technology, which not only is a proactive conservation measure, but a way to help their members to possibly defray some energy cost.
PEC allows customers to install solar panels at their discretion and will send an inspector on-site to ensure company standards are met.
“We also have a cooperative solar program where folks can sign up and get a percentage of their power from our solar cells,” said Jim Spaulding, director of power quality and development at PEC. “We have 11 megawatts at four different locations producing power.”
Spaulding said those who are part of the program receive around 60 to 65 percent of their power from PEC’s solar grid. Due to high demand, however, the program sold out in two weeks this past year.
But the cost of solar power is prohibitive for many consumers. Experts estimate that the installation of a solar system can range anywhere from $35,000 to $40,000 on the low end.
Spaulding said the price of solar will continuously fall as demand and advancement in the technology becomes more commonplace in the market. Spaulding said PEC was averaging around 25 solar inspections a month around five years ago. That number has tripled in the past year, where the company averaged around 75 inspections a month.
“There is no doubt that solar is becoming more affordable. I remember when solar cost over $5 a watt. Now, it’s going for around 35 cents a watt,” Spaulding said. “The price will continue to drop as technology continues to improve. At some point in time, the grid will intersect with solar, but we are not quite there yet.”
Climate change and water
Meanwhile, rising temperatures associated with climate change also has an impact on water resources.
Within the next century, global temperatures are expected to rise by roughly four degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NCA. If no measures are taken to mitigate climate change, global temperatures could go up by nine degrees by 2100.
When the temperatures increase, so does the water usage of plants, said Robert Mace, deputy executive director and chief water policy officer for Meadows Center at Texas State University. Subsequently, this equates to less runoff that flows into our streams, rivers and reservoirs, which means the aquifers are not recharged.
“If you look back at the drought of 2011, we would have some rainfall, but the ground would soak it all up,” Mace said. “The soil was so dry, the rainfall wouldn’t seep deep enough to recharge the aquifer.”
Scientists are hopeful water conservation efforts, along with technologies such as Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), could limit the impact on aquifers and lakes, which supply water to areas in Central Texas.
“It’s a global issue; folks on the other side of the planet impact us here in Central Texas, but it is also a hyperlocal issue,” Mace said. “Each and every one of us can make efforts to slow the effects of climate change.”
Mace said consumers should understand their household water usage. From there, individuals can decide where changes can be made to limit usage.
“As Texas summers become hotter, it takes more energy to cool homes and businesses and this will impact our water resource,” Mace said. “It certainly is concerning. There isn’t much radical change when these reports come out. The conclusions are not changing so there is good consistency on what needs to be done.”
