Discover Texas Renewable Energy

Texas leads the nation in renewable energy

Texas may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of green energy, but it actually leads the country in wind energy production by a large margin. It also consistently ranks in the top five for solar energy generation. In 2024, the Lone Star State was responsible for 17% of the nation’s total electricity generation from renewable resources.

This abundance of renewable energy allows Texans across the state to reduce their carbon footprints. For consumers in deregulated parts of the state, it’s as simple as picking a renewable electricity plan. Luckily, green energy plans are competitively priced on our marketplace, allowing shoppers to optimize their energy costs while going green.

Renewable energy vs. green energy: What’s the difference?

While both terms are often used interchangeably, there actually is a difference between the two.

• Renewable energy is a broader category of resources that naturally replenish themselves.
• Green energy is a subcategory of renewable resources with the least environmental impact.

Natural resource	Renewable	Green	How it works
Wind power	✅	✅	Wind spins turbines connected to an electricity generator.
Solar energy	✅	✅	Solar panels harness sunlight and convert it to an electrical charge.
Geothermal energy	✅	✅	Hot water and steam from underground reservoirs drive turbines connected to generators.
Hydropower	✅	❌	Utilizes energy from fast-moving water to activate turbines and power a generator.
Biomass	✅	❌	Uses organic material from plants and animals to create fuel in the form of liquid or gas.

Whether hydropower and biomass qualify as green energy sources is debated among energy experts. Both can naturally replenish, making them renewable. But in some instances, they can still negatively impact the environment, which is why some experts only classify them as renewable, not green.

• Large hydropower dams can harm fish populations and disrupt ecosystems by altering migration patterns. As a result, experts debate whether it can truly be called “green” given its impact. Generally, small hydropower facilities can qualify as green if they do not disturb the nearby ecosystem.
• Biomass is considered renewable because plants and animals naturally replenish. But critics argue that it’s not green because burning waste releases carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Are renewable energy plans a scam?

Renewable energy plans are not a scam, but they are more nuanced than you might think. As a consumer, you won’t notice a difference between a green energy plan and a traditional one. The main difference is how your provider sources your electricity. In most cases, your energy company purchases renewable energy certificates (RECs) on your behalf if you choose a green energy plan. Here’s how this works:

• Your electricity comes from the same power grid regardless of whether you signed up for a green energy plan or a traditional one. Texas’ power grid includes a mix of energy sources, including renewable and nonrenewable sources.
• To ensure your energy plan sources renewable energy, your provider purchases an REC for every megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity you consume.
• An REC proves that 1 MWh of renewable electricity was produced and sent to the power grid on your behalf.

Bottom line: A renewable energy plan isn’t technically powering your home directly with renewable resources. But it still supports renewable energy generation and offsets fossil fuels based on your usage.

Our take on renewable energy plans

There’s no downside to choosing a renewable energy plan if it fits your budget and energy needs. It’s a great way to contribute to a cleaner energy future without making a major home investment, such as installing solar panels. But you should prioritize finding a plan that is right for you and your home. If it’s fully renewable, that’s a great perk. But we wouldn’t recommend selecting an ill-fitted plan just because it’s renewable.

Secure a Texas green energy plan

Choose Texas Power partners with leading energy companies to bring you a wide variety of energy solutions. Some of the most popular green energy providers include Gexa Energy, Rhythm Energy, and Octopus Energy. Here’s how to find a renewable energy plan on our free marketplace:

• Enter your ZIP code. We use your location to find local plans with accurate rates available in your area.
• Filter for green energy. Select the “green energy” filter to view plans exclusively sourced from renewable energy.
• Sign up in minutes. Once you find a plan, sign up online or over the phone. Your new provider will handle setting up your service.

If you have any questions about plan compatibility or want help signing up, call the number on your screen to chat with an agent.

Shop our customers’ favorite green energy plans

These plans are some of the most popular among our shoppers because they are affordable, renewable, and offered by top-rated providers.

Plan	Provider	Term length	Best for
Gexa Eco Saver Plus	Gexa Energy	12 or 24 months	Affordability
Maxx Select Green 12	4Change Energy	12 months	Mission-driven company values
Octopus Lite 12	Octopus Energy	12 months	Smart tech compatibility
Rhythm Max Saver	Rhythm Energy	12 or 24 months	Medium homes that use over 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh)
Flash Green 12	Express Energy	12 months	Excellent customer service
Solar Club 12	TXU Energy	12 months	Community solar incentives

Texas renewable energy FAQs

Are green energy plans more expensive than traditional energy plans?

Green energy plans are not more expensive than traditional ones. In fact, they are often some of our cheapest power plans. Gexa Energy, a fully green provider, consistently has some of the most affordable Texas electricity rates on our marketplace. Filter for green energy on our site to find renewable power plan costs near you.

Is nuclear power green?

This answer is up for debate. Nuclear plants don’t generate carbon dioxide, but they do have a negative environmental impact in terms of mining, extraction, and radioactive waste. The EPA doesn’t classify nuclear power as a green energy source.

What percentage of Texas energy is renewable?

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), renewable energy accounted for three-tenths of Texas’ total electricity generation in 2024. Thanks to the Lone Star State’s abundance of renewable energy, all deregulated energy plans include a percentage of green energy. The statewide average for renewable content in energy plans is 33.3%.