Texas: the home of longhorns, domestic oil, and Texas Hold'em poker. While most energy analysts would consider solar power a fairly safe bet at the modern poker table that is today's energy and political arena, apparently Texas legislators are folding out of the competition. In a move that will likely set back Texas' solar industry at least two years, several proposals put before those lawmakers failed as the most recent congressional session came to an end.

Texas is famous for its wind power, for which it is our national leader in production. But our nation's second most populous state also has an incredible solar potential, enjoying a high proportion of sunlight throughout the year. Nonetheless, Texas lawmakers roundly rejected three solar proposals that would have incentivized solar in the Lone Star State, perhaps elevating Texas onto a renewable energy pedestal that other states would have to clamor to keep up with.

The three proposals were as follows:

• An amendment to the state's renewable energy standard would have set stricter rules for solar, biomass and geothermal power. This bill was the first to fail.

• Solar rebates in Texas, to the tune of $500 million, failed at the last minute, leaving eager and optimistic Texas solar advocates in shock and awe. This failure to provide incentives will likely have a major impact on the state's solar industry. Already one Texas solar startup is planning a move to New Mexico thanks to higher incentives and a gloomy outlook in Texas.

• Protecting solar installations from homeowners' associations is a very common practice nowadays. Most states protect solar enthusiasts from such local ordinances, but not in Texas, where such a bill completed the trifecta of rejection from the Texas legislature.

The Silver Lining?

One solar bill did pass. It allows homeowners to finance their solar system through the local government and to pay it back through an increase in property taxes over 20 years. It is a model, inspired by a landmark Berkeley, California plan that is catching on rapidly across the country and world. Nonetheless, the absence of significant state incentives will certainly have a negative impact on homeowners’ finances when it comes to evaluating solar as an option.

Because the Texas legislature meets only once every two years, it could be at least that long before solar gets another chance. By 2011, Texas could be well behind in an industry expected to grow by leaps and bounds, even during an economic recession. Indeed, legislators may come to regret their disapproval or inactivity as they see quality, green jobs build up in neighboring states like New Mexico.