Texas is well known for its wide open and flat spaces. But, some of those flat wide open spaces have now been turned into a large solar farm near San Antonio.

The new farm, which went online on November 6, is an array of 215,000 photovoltaic panels that turn the sun into power for San Antonio residents.

The solar project for Texas is just getting started. This farm is the first of seven across the state, with the other six farms being in much earlier stages of development.  There is some debate as to whether the other six will indeed be finished, due to their cost, but proponents say completion of the project looks hopeful.

Texas has already seen jobs created from the solar projects. The recently released 2010 National Solar Jobs Census ranks Texas third in the US, with an estimated 6,400 solar jobs at 170 companies. They include places like The Woodlands-based Evolution Solar Corp., which supplies solar panels and other equipment.

But the list, compiled by the nonprofit Solar Foundation, shows Texas far behind the No. 1 state in solar energy jobs. California boasts more than 1,000 solar companies and six times as many solar jobs as Texas.

Texas has another reason to tout their environmental friendliness. They are currently the number one state in turning wind into electricity.

When you’re ready to make your own impact on the environment, turn to Sungate Energy Solutions to help you. While we’re pretty certain you won’t want a solar farm, we can design and install a solar system for your home that can reduce, or even eliminate, your dependence on your electric company. Sungate Energy Solutions has a wide range of energy efficient products that can save you money on your energy bills while helping all of us work toward saving the planet.

To read more about the new solar farm in San Antonio, click here.