Turbines similar to these stand on a mountainous area of Upton and Nolan counties in West Texas. Existing transmission lines carry the power they produce to Austin.

Biogas projects use a pipe system to collect methane gas from the landfills underneath. The gas is then used to produce clean-burning electric power.

These solar panels are part of Austin Energy's 111-kilowatt array at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. They help supply renewable energy to our community through our GreenChoice Program.

Direct GreenChoice^® Questions to:

e-mail: GreenChoice

GreenChoice^®—Energy Sources

Wind
Austin Energy contracts for 100% of the electricity produced by a series of huge wind turbines in McCamey and Sweetwater, Texas. These generators—the largest in the world—stand over 200 feet tall and have three 100 feet long blades each.

The wind turns the blades of the turbines to produce electricity. The blades turn an electric generator. Our wind turbines produce enough electricity to power 55,000 Austin homes.

Biogas
Decaying garbage at old sanitary landfills produce methane gas. The gas is collected and piped to a nearby onsite generator, which uses the gas to create electricity.

The Tessman Landfill Biogas Project, east of San Antonio, was developed exclusively for GreenChoice®. Austin Energy also purchases energy from two other landfills gas projects.

Solar
Solar panels convert sunlight directly into an electrical current. The conversion happens through very thin layers of semiconductor material, usually silicon. An array is several solar panels wired together. A device called an inverter converts the array’s electricity into alternating current, or AC. The electricity can be sent directly into a building's electrical system or into Austin Energy's electric grid.

GreenChoice receives energy from installations at several City buildings, as well as residential and commercial solar systems installed through Austin Energy's Solar Rebate Program. Some of the largest installations are at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Lester E. Palmer Events Center Parking Garage, and Habitat Suites Hotel.

Austin Energy offers a rebate for solar panel installations. Our Solar Rebate Program is available to both residential and commercial customers. Our Solar Loan Program is available for single-family residences.